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The rain may have subsided for day two of the dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials however riders still had to battle it out against the elements as a ferocious wind tore throughout the main arena.
As horses struggled to settle in the electric atmosphere, only one man was able to knock Paul Tapner from the top spot. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen were the third last combination to go today and they were impressive from start to finish, collecting a penalty score of 33.3.
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen take the lead ahead of tomorrow's cross country
“It felt amazing, this one likes the atmosphere and stays soft but it just pepped him up a little bit and he just loves to perform,” Clark said after his test. Clark has had Loughan Glen since he found him as a five year old in Ireland, and owns the horse along with his wife Jessica and her parent’s Holly and William Becker. The American is now based permanently in the UK and he is looking forward to tomorrow’s cross country test. “He’s honest but needs a very positive forward ride which the course promotes, so fingers crossed for the weather and we’ll see how he does it.”
You can watch Clark and Loughan Glen ride the cross country at Belton International Horse Trials - the traditional Badminton preparation - here
The cross country course has caused great debate today, with much discussion about the removal of the B element at fence 18. I spoke with Bill Levett this morning before the change was made and he mentioned his dislike for the question that he believed was quite punishing on the horse. “It's definitely not going to be a dressage competition,” Bill said as he pondered over the test. “It's very challenging, it’s what most of the riders wanted Badminton to be.”
Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan
Bill had his second ride today in the dressage aboard Shannondale Titan and the pair performed a lovely test in the tough conditions to receive a penalty score of 44.0, placing them in equal 16th. With two completely different horses to take across the country tomorrow, Bill will be adjusting his riding to suit each of their needs. You can listen to Bill’s full interview below
Bill Levett
Francis Whittington and Easy Target lie behind Paul in third place on their overnight score of 36.2. Lucinda Fredericks and Flying Finish are breathing down Francis’ neck in fourth place on 39.0. Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Reality 39 received plenty of 8’s and 9’s in their test this morning and were well deserving of their score of 40.5. They share fifth place with Mark Todd and NZB Campino.
Paul Tapner may have lost his overnight lead after Clark’s test this afternoon but he is still fired up and ready to attack the course tomorrow. “Feeling really confident, it’s a really tough track and I’m really happy with it,” Paul said. Taperz was also in favour of the removal of fence 18B. “I think it needed to come out, so I’m not unhappy that it’s come out and it’s still a fair test with the B element taken out so it will be interesting to see how it all works out.”
William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk
The new World Number One, William Fox-Pitt echoed Paul’s words. “We will do a ceremonial burning of that log,” he joked. “You couldn’t even walk it without sitting on your backside so I think it will make for a much better picture.” The course is still a decent question however (I walked it today and felt ill just looking at the size of some of the fences!) and even the best of the best are feeling the nerves.
Well done dad!
“It’s a big decent track, obviously its comes quite early in the season, the horses only have one or two runs and they’ve got to get out there and do their best. It’s a serious track from early on down to the second last. You’re not home until you’re home.” William lies in equal seventh on board Parklane Hawk on a penalty of 41.0.
Andrew Nicholson and Nereo were the final combination to complete the dressage phase
Sharing that penalty score and seventh placing is New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson and Nereo. It is no secret that William and Andrew are not the best of friends, so it comes as no surprise to find that they disagree about the removal of fence 18B. “I’m a bit surprised they took it out so soon, I think it’s a very difficult fence but the riders were asking for difficult fences,” Andrew reasoned.
Having said that, Andrew is still pondering the rest of the course and after he ran us through his test he admitted that he is planning to calm his nerves this evening with a ‘few’ drinks. “He was very relaxed, he was very professional, he goes into the arena and focuses 100%.”
Sir Mark Todd and Leonidas II
Placed just behind Andrew is fellow Kiwi Sir Mark Todd aboard his second ride Leonidas II (Mark lies in equal fifth on board NZB Campino). “He’s new at this level and he’s a horse that is just improving and improving all the time,” Mark said of Leonidas II. The pair performed a very accurate and professional test but had a few issues with the flying changes. “If I was at home, I would have given him a good boot but I was a little bit aware of what might happen if I was to do that,” he laughed.
Perhaps the Kiwis are made of tougher stuff than the rest (please excuse the brief lapse in Aussie pride) as Mark was also surprised to find that tomorrow’s course had been changed. “I was a little bit disappointed that they did. When I saw it on the video, I was a little bit worried about it but in real life I thought that it was ok,” he said. When told that the B element was removed because there was concern that the footing would not hold if it rained, Mark was dismissive.
“Maybe they should have waited to see if it did rain,” he questioned. However the Kiwi knight is not one to jinx himself. “Anyway I might be glad that they did. It is a course that needs absolute concentration all the way around and you can’t afford to get off your line a lot of the time, it’s big and asks the questions all the way.”
Chris Burton and TS Jamaimo
Australia’s Chris Burton and TS Jamaimo also completed their test this afternoon. Chris went in with the goal to get below 45.0 and whilst TS Jamaimo reacted to the electric atmosphere, he managed to do just that, receiving a penalty score of 44.7. “I was really happy with him; I can’t be too tough on him,” he said.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Chris suggests that there would be something wrong with you if you didn’t get nervous. “I’m trying not to think about tomorrow too much but this horse is a very good jumper.”
Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh (pictured above) entered the main arena this morning looking very impressive. Having completed both Badminton and Burghley together last year, Sam knew what he had underneath him. Paulank Brockagh performed a very consistent test with some promising movements. They carry a score of 46.3 and are well positioned ahead of the cross country phase tomorrow.
Seumas Marwood and Wild Oats are all smiles as they leave the dressage arena
Seumas Marwood and Wild Oats have made the long journey from Australia to compete here this weekend and they entered the ring just before Sam. Wild Oats reacted to the windy conditions but Seumas rode very well, leaving the ring with a penalty score of 56.8. The pair may be a little bit further down the board but the general consensus is that the cross country test is going to be very influential. With 33.2 penalties separating the leading and last placed rider at the moment, tomorrow is going to be a very, very interesting day.
Full results after dressage here
The Kiwi fans are out in force (above) and (below) even the police horses have their fan club!
