“I’m in first place after the cross country, it’s amazing,” Michael says
Cross country day at Badminton Horse Trials is always full of surprises and today was no exception. For some, everything fell into place and getting home under time seemed to be relatively easy. For others, it was over far too soon and with errors scattered across the course, it is fair to say that Hugh Thomas provided a perfectly challenging track.
The HSBC Market Square seemed to cause the most problems with eight combinations racking up 20 penalties at the combination. As always the lake provided fantastic viewing and whilst no one went swimming, four had refusals and three retired. This included Zara Phillips and (overnight third placer) Dirk Schrade.
As the afternoon wore on all eyes were on Olympic, World and European Champion Michael Jung and La Biosthetique – Sam FBW. The pressure was on the overnight leaders and whilst they had a couple of heart stopping moments, they were all class and came home clear and under time.
“Sam was in very good form, he was galloping very easily and very fast forward,” Michael said. Michael commented on how helpful the crowds were and how they lifted him over the fences. “It’s absolutely amazing when you are galloping on the course.” It seems that Sam has pulled up well and Michael believes he will need to have more control and be slower for the show jumping tomorrow. “He was really fresh at the finish so I’m really looking forward to the next day.”
Interview with Michael Jung after cross country
Jock Paget goes into tomorrow's showjumping in second place
Jonathan Paget has done New Zealand proud (and has Libby jumping with joy) after a fantastic clear round, they have added nothing to their dressage score and sit in second place.
“Promise always sets off a little bit strong and a little bit nervous and wears himself out,” Jonathan said of his round. The Kiwi had already been around the course earlier on Clifton Lush and learnt from his mistakes. Most riders seemed to want to take four strides following the drop into the lake but as Jonathan and others discovered it rode better with five. Four strides often resulted in horses bouncing the double of brushes in the lake – making for some tense viewing!
William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk drop into the Lake
Rolex Grand Slam contender William Fox-Pitt produced a fantastic round; also making the time and making the course look positively easy. There is just one rail separating him and first place but he is quick to silence any chances of victory.
“I’m not sitting in the lead, I’ve got to rely on these two guys making mistakes and this chap here doesn’t make many of those,” he said referring to Michael and Jonathan in the press conference. “We’ve got a long way to go. We’ve got the trot up and I’ve got to show jump clear and until I’ve done that there’s nothing to get excited about.”
Badminton old timers: Sam Griffiths and Happy Times
Our best placed Australian is Sam Griffiths and Happy Times. Sam and Happy currently sit in 7th place after adding just 1.6 time penalties to their dressage score.
“He was excellent, he really knows his way around this course now, it’s the third time he has come here,” Sam said. Sam had two rides today and he believes his second ride, Paulank Brockagh (who sits further down the field) is something special. “She could be a real sort of team horse in the future.”
Sam Griffiths talks about his cross country round
Chris Burton and Leilani made the course look easy
Chris Burton and Holstein Park Leilani had a super round, unfortunately racking up 2.4 time faults.
“I took an option here at the end because I was worried about having 20 on top of those stairs and I just couldn’t get up on the clock which was a shame,” he said. “She’s an experienced horse now so the big fences don’t worry her and a lot of it went the way I wanted it to go but it’s a tough old track.” Chris and Leilani will enter the show jumping tomorrow in 11th place.
Paul Tapner and Kilronan concentrate on the next jump in the Lake
Paul Tapner and Kilronan were one of the 22 clear and under time rounds of the day and they flew through the finish flags to a big roar from the crowd. According to Paul, his round went according to plan.
“He was never going to get any penalties, just not 100% text book but we can live with that,” he said after the cross country. The pair only had a little trouble at the notorious Sunken Road. “He didn’t jump the first element cleanly, I think that’s mainly because he jumped too big in the quarry and might have frightened himself in the drops there but other than that I was really happy.”
Murray Lamperd and Under the Clocks clear the first
Making their Badminton debut was Murray Lamperd and Under the Clocks. They cruised around the course with ease and only came unstuck towards the end at the HSBC Market Square.
“I jumped, did the six strides, did it really nicely to the apex and then I was going to take the direct route, pulled the right rein and it just slipped through my hands,” Murray said. Unfortunately this meant Murray had to change route and couldn’t avoid crossing his tracks, earning the pair 20 penalties. Despite this Murray is very happy with Under the Clocks and the way he handled the course. “I’m just sitting on a great horse.”
CLICK HERE for full results after cross country
CLICK HERE for cross country fence analysis
