There was a significant increase in the amount of spectators today
As day two of the dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials dawned, it seemed that the clear blue skies that had shone over the previous two days were at an end. In true English fashion the grey clouds produced sporadic showers throughout the day, upsetting some horses but never dampening the electric atmosphere that is so unique to Badminton. Some stunning tests were performed throughout the day and 7.3 penalties currently separate first and tenth, with the top four all boasting a score in the thirties.
Michael Jung and Sam perform a fantastic test
When Michael Jung entered the stadium in the afternoon, an air of expectation ran through the packed stands. We were not disappointed. La Biosthetique – Sam FBW listened to Michael’s every move and the pair were seriously impressive. As they moved through their test, the continuous stream of 8’s on the big screen and the occasional 9 hinted that the leader board was about to be change.
Ever the professional, Michael was incredibly modest about his performance and his final score of 36.0. “I am happy if I go into the arena and halt and my horse stands still,” he said.
The cross country is sure to be a test tomorrow
The Olympic, World and European Champion is full of praise for his horse. “In the stadium with the atmosphere, it’s very big for the horse, it’s not too easy but my horse was really relaxed and did a fantastic job,” he said. He laughed when asked if he felt any pressure to upset Nicholson and Fox-Pitt’s attempts at the Rolex Grand Slam. “I think there’s more pressure on them than me because I’m here for the first time.”
Be that as it may, Michael is no stranger to the top level of this sport and is looking forward to tackling tomorrow’s cross country. “I think the whole course is difficult and you have to concentrate from the beginning to the finish.”
Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise sit in 4th on 39.7 after the dressage
Whilst some of the bigger names were not set to ride until the afternoon, the scores started dropping early. Before the first coffee break Italy’s Stefano Brecciaroli became the first person to break into the thirties and he did it well. Aboard Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve, the pair produced a stunning test that left them with a penalty score of 36.8. Meaning Michael Jung cannot afford to make a mistake over the next few days if he is to take out the title.
Stefano spoke at the media conference this afternoon and whilst he apologized for his English, it was clear that he was happy with his performance. “My feeling is very good today because before my dressage it was very windy,” he said. Evidently Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve was feeling quite fresh and not listening prior to his test but Stefano certainly sorted that out before they entered the ring!
Dirk Schrade and King Artus are well placed in 3rd postion
As the afternoon wore on the scores continued to drop. Dirk Schrade got the crowd roaring after lunch when he and King Artus completed a lovely test that will see them enter the cross country phase with 39.2 penalties. Whilst the scores certainly dropped today, Dirk believed that the changed weather conditions and the bigger crowds made the test more difficult than the day before.
“Today was a much more windy day and there were more crowds and it was quite busy in there and I could feel it with King Artus,” he said. “I think yesterday was more quite for the horses and some horses need that, some horses don’t like that and I was lucky because King Artus coped really well with it. So I’m happy.”
Paul Tapner and Kilronan did not get the score they had hoped for
The Australians had a mixed day in the ring. Paul Tapner and Kilronan did not achieve the result that they had hoped. “I’m happy with Kilronan’s dressage test but not happy with the mark,” Paul Tweeted after his score of 51.8 was revealed. Murray Lamperd appeared to have trouble keeping his Top Hat on but as Badminton first timers, he and Under the Clocks kept a cool head and received a penalty score of 56.5.
Paulank Brockagh just didn’t seem to settle for Sam Griffiths and the pair will go into tomorrow’s cross country with a penalty score of 58.5. However with such a challenging course to tackle tomorrow, mistakes will be made, scores will change and anything is possible.
Sam Griffiths will be hoping to move up the placings following tomorrow's cross country
CLICK HERE for full results after dressage
