Comment

Leader Nicholas Touzaint in action

Reigning European Champion Nicolas Touzaint set himself up for a place in the record books after a fast, clear round put him into the lead at the end of cross-country.

If he can maintain his lead tomorrow he will become the first Frenchman to win the event since its inception in 1949 and only the second mainland European winner since Swiss rider, Capt Hans Swchwarzenbach in 1951.

The dressage leader board was blown to pieces as one after the other of the top combinations literally fell by the wayside.

Most dramatically both the overnight leader Andrew Hoy and second placed Ruth Edge were eliminated after horse falls, while top ten riders Clayton Fredericks, Pippa Funnell and Mary King with Imperial Cavalier all ended the day on the floor.

Time was of the essence although the drying ground on top of the recent rain created steady going and in fact just two combinations remain on their dressage score.

Touzaint, and Hildago De L'Ile who both retired here last year although went on to win the four-star event in Pau last October, added just 4.8 time penalties to their dressage score.

"I was obviously keen to make amends for the technical mistake we had last year.

While I saw the other riders having problems today I stuck to my original plan in which I mostly succeeded, " said 27-year-old Touzaint, who is known for keeping a cool head in the show jumping.

Foxham's Georgie Spence is in 17th place

"I have high hopes and there is no reason why it shouldn't all work tomorrow."

A determined ride on Shaabrak moved Lucy Wiegersma into second place and on course for her best Badminton result to date although plan A - to go all the quick routes - did not quite come off.

"I had intended to go all the quick routes but a couple of times my instincts told me to take the longer option - but he is very fit and a quality horse that I was able to make up time on the way home," said Lucy who was impressed by the challenging course set by Hugh Thomas this year.

"It is one of the most grown up courses I have seen at Badminton. You had to concentrate all the way - there was no let up."

Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley, one of the two combinations clear inside the time, sat at the top of the leaderboard for a good part of the day but finished the day in third place just 2.3 penalties behind the leader.

The top four are separated by the equivalent of just one show jumping pole down - so the excitement looks set to continue in the main arena tomorrow afternoon - although all horses will have to be approved by the Ground Jury at the final horse inspection at 9am.

Foxham's Georgie Spence, in her first Badminton, goes into the final day in a creditable 17th place.

7:10pm Saturday 3rd May 2008

Zara Phillips on Ardfield Magic Star

Polly Stockton on Tom Quigley was one of the top riders to lose the lead during the day

Print

Email this

Comment