Brazils Dr Marcio Carvalho Jorge, who piloted Royal Encounter to a sub-30 dressage score at Mars Badminton Horse Trials this afternoon, revealed the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse has a penchant for sleeping even when hes away at a competition. Hes always had such a nice brain. Hes very cute and will sleep all day, said Marcio. Even today, before we tacked him up, he was laying down sleeping. He does this every day it doesnt matter if hes in competition or at home. Its so funny, but its good, because he rests his body and his legs.Marcio is a doctor and anaesthesiologist who originally came to the UK with the mare Josephine MCJ in tow to train with Mark Todd for the London 2012 Olympic Games. He commuted between the UK and Brazil so that he could continue to work in a Sao Paulo hospital as well as ride.I would spend three months here and three months there, said Marcio, who is now based in Wiltshire and stopped practising medicine 10 years ago. In 2016 I brought my daughters and my wife and based here to ride full time.High expectationsMarcio co-owns Royal Encounter with Ken, Alastair and Annabel Vere Nicholl and they bought the horse when he was five. Marcio, who now trains with William Fox-Pitt, has produced the 17hh gelding from BE100 level and said it is the horses chilled attitude that helped him pull off a sub-30 dressage test today.To be honest, we had the expectation [of doing well], he said. Competition is competition and sometimes it goes right, sometimes it goes wrong. Its his first time in an environment like that and I didnt know how it would be, if he would spook or something. But hes always trying to do the right thing he has such a good brain.As well as the London Olympics, the 51-year-old rider represented his native on home turf at the Rio 2016 Games and also competed at Paris 2024. This is his third Badminton, following runs here in 2014 with Josephine MCJ and in 2017 aboard Lissy Mac Wayer.Related contentHow to watch BadmintonI pumped milk to flatten me out and away I go: Ros Canter sails into the lead at BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryI was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six-year absenceThe post He sleeps all day!: Doctor pilots very cute 17hh horse to sub-30 dressage score appeared first on Your Horse.

Switzerlands Nadja Minder isnt only competing at her first Mars Badminton Horse Trials this week (610 May 2026), but she is also riding the oldest horse in this years field. Her mount Toblerone (or Choccy, as he is known at home) is a 19-year-old veteran, and with two senior European Eventing Championships appearances under their belts, plus three five-star completions, he looks better than ever coming into this years Badminton. He feels better now than when I got him six years ago, said Nadja, who is 26-years-old. He has become more supple through work and everything, and hes just also an absolute athlete and machine.Nadja partly credited Choccys longevity in the sport to the fact he started eventing relatively late on in life, taking part in his first international event at the age of 11. As he started so late, he doesnt have the mileage of other 19-year-olds, states Nadja. He also doesnt need that much preparation as he is super-professional and I just can go from show to show, and do whats necessary. Help from one of eventings bestNadja previously based herself at Piggy Marchs Northamptonshire yard and Piggy is at Badminton to lend a helping hand this week. I arrived at Piggys place on Saturday to do the last polish, and she has helped me here over the past couple of days too, explains Nadja. We understand each other we speak the same language when it comes to horses. Sometimes it can be a bit risky if you work with someone just for a big show, but with her, it works totally fine. Speaking of making her Badminton debut, Nadja says: I said to my mum ages ago that I wanted to ride at Badminton one day, and then now to come here feels so unreal with my mum as my groom. Weve been on this journey together, and its a childhood dream and Im so grateful to her, to Choccy and to his owner, Nicole Basieux, for making it possible. Nadja was entered to run here with Choccy last year, but had to withdraw last-minute. We know how hard it is to get to one of these, so it feels special to finally do it this year, says Nadja, who scored 30.3 in the first phase today, which leaves them in equal seventh at the lunchtime break on day tow of dressage. Im very proud, reflected Nadja. Hes an absolute legend. He was quite lit up in the warm-up more than usually but hes such a professional and he tries so hard and just knows his job. Hes a chocolate legend! Image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentHow to watch BadmintonI pumped milk to flatten me out and away I go: Ros Canter sails into the lead at BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryI was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six-year absenceChange in warm-up plan pays off for New Zealands Jesse CampbellIt makes him at ease: American rider uses nosenet in dressage testThe post Hes an absolute chocolate legend!: rider reflects on being at her first Badminton on the oldest horse in this years field appeared first on Your Horse.

Defending champions Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo have sailed into the lead after a customary masterclass in the dressage arena at Mars Badminton Horse Trials, going 4.4 penalties ahead of Thursdays leaders, Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl.Ros, who gave birth to her second child, Seneh, a little over three months ago (24 January), said it has been a funny few weeks to get here and explained that she had pumped breast milk shortly before getting on to ride.I said goodbye to her [Seneh] a good hour-and-a-half before my test, pumped a load of milk out of my boobs to flatten me out a bit, and away I go, said Ros. Its been a funny few weeks, having just had a baby, and focus is a very different thing at the moment, so Ive had to work really hard the last few days to make sure Im in the right frame of mind.I was a little bit stressed this morning, but I gave myself a word, had a bit of time by myself, and came out with a real plan. Im just delighted that it paid off.Its been a processRos said that preparing for Badminton so soon after giving birth has been a process.Its one of those things where you perhaps get on a little sooner than you ought to, and then you start worrying that the tummy is never going to knock back into shape and things like that. Then all of a sudden, it gradually does. I just havent had the time to let it do that, and then get back on. Ive been doing it as part of the process. It always makes me a bit worried in my head, but physically, I feel good. Mentally, I feel good when Im on a horse. Theres just lots to do at the moment and my time is is pushed. Its just trying to factor in those moments to be a mum and to be an athlete.I think most people would trust Walter if they got to ride him hes an absolute legend.Most people would trust WalterWalter, a 14-year-old by Grafenstolz owned by Archie and Michele Saul, is a crowd favourite and solid flying changes were one of the highlights of their dressage test. However, Ros confessed that they werent solid when she rode earlier this morning.But that was more me panicking, she explained. I rode them just how he needs to ride a change. Hes not a horse that would ever choose to do a flying change, so I have to change the canter slightly. Last year I had the canter a bit hot and then I missed the changes. Its a really fine balance with him to get to get them relaxed, but on the ball.Ros explained that the skill of preparing a fit event horse to pull off a leading dressage test at this level is about knowing how to get them to peak at the right moment.Walter is born to gallop. He loves being in that stretched out position, so he cant hold a dressage position for all that long, and he cant hold in the flashiness that I want in there for all that long, so its about building it up. I had him really good on Monday at home, and I thought he was ready. Then he comes here, and he knows where he is, so hes a bit bright. I had to hold off on Wednesday, and I took him hacking and let him canter him around. I thought, I cant do this too soon, or else Ill over-peak him. Its all about knowing your horse and trying to just get that best bit when you get in there.Its not about enjoymentEarlier today, Fiona Kashel, competing here on Creevagh Silver De Haar for the third time, said she hates cross-country.Ros agreed that its not about enjoying it its about being focused in the moment. I dont think I enjoy it while I go around. Anybody thats in a profession where youre trying to do your hardest in a specific moment, like a board meeting or anything else, its not really about enjoying it, its about being focused, she said. The enjoyment comes in thinking that youve done a good job at the end of it. So do I enjoy it? No, but I wouldnt be here if I didnt enjoy the process.Related contentHow to watch BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryI was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six-year absenceChange in warm-up plan pays off for New Zealands Jesse CampbellIt makes him at ease: American rider uses nosenet in dressage testThe post I pumped milk to flatten me out and away I go: Ros Canter sails into the lead at Badminton appeared first on Your Horse.

American rider Cosby Green proved that headshakers can make it to the top level when she entered the dressage arena at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials with Jos Ufo de Quidam.The 18-year-old Argentinian gelding, who finished eighth at Luhmuhlen last year, wore a nosenet for his dressage test on Thursday morning.As soon as we moved to England [in 2023], he started head shaking. Wearing a nosenet makes him at ease, and he likes it, said Cosby. Cosby, who is contesting her second Badminton, has been riding Jos Ufo de Quidam for four years and the pair received a score of 34.9 for their dressage test.Good startDressage is not a phase he finds easy, but he was really with me, and Im very pleased with his test, said Cosby.I think I lucked out [doing my test] on the Thursday morning. I mean, its just something so special to be in that arena. Theres just no place like it. It just gives you the chills trotting in.Cosby, who grew up on a farm in Lexington, Kentucky and whose father, Clay, is involved in the Kentucky Horse Park, moved to the UK in 2023 and is based with Tim and Jonelle Price in Dorset.About headshakingOf course, it is normalbehaviourfor a horse to shake his or her head. However, one in 25 horses in the UK are reported by their owners to shake their heads more than is normal, said Dr Veronica Roberts who is an European and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine.There are many reasons for horses to shake their heads too much, including ill-fitting tack, musculoskeletal pain and dental pain.When this is the case you may be able to resolve the problem yourself or by involving paraprofessionals such as a saddler, trainer or physiotherapist although it is my opinion that involving your vet early on can be beneficial.It is thought that nosenets work by rubbing the nose the same way that if you bang your elbow, you rub it and it feels less painful.Image Tim Wilkinson.Useful linksView the overnight leaderboardView the dressage start listView the cross-country fencesRelated contentHow to watch BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryI was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six-year absenceChange in warm-up plan pays off for New Zealands Jesse CampbellThe post It makes him at ease: American rider uses nosenet in dressage test appeared first on Your Horse.

Today (8 May) marks World Donkey Day, and international animal welfare charity, The Donkey Sanctuary, is encouraging people to take a break from the everyday and enjoy a few uplifting facts about one of the most-loved but misunderstood animals. The Donkey Sanctuary was founded by the late Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE. in 1969. It works to support projects to alleviate the suffering of donkeys in 35 countries worldwide, including sanctuaries across Europe, where more than 18,800 donkeys and mules have been cared for, and major projects in Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Mexico, where donkey welfare is improved through community education and veterinary work. The Donkey Sanctuary also provides donkey-assisted interaction sessions for vulnerable children and adults and carry out visits to care homes in the local community from its centres in Honiton in Devon, Buxton in Derbyshire, Beaminster in Dorset, Harcombe in Devon, Sidmouth in Devon and Tedburn St Mary in Devon. Cubby Leo and Chief at Slade New Arrivals Unit at The Donkey Sanctuary. Here, we take a look at some fun facts about donkeys that you might not know about Born fluffy:Donkey foals arrive with the same number of hairs theyll have as adults, which is why they are so incredibly fluffy from day one. Natural calmers:Donkeys are very sensitive and can pick up on a persons emotional state. They can even synchronise their heart rhythms with ours, and their calming mood can help reduce a persons anxiety.Sleep anywhere:Donkeys can snooze standing up, but will take to the floor for a deep sleep.A lifelong bond:Donkeys usually form very strong bonds with their companions and can partner for life.They can become ill if separated, meaning it is important to make sure they always have their friends around them.They dont forget a friendly face:Donkeys bond deeply with humans too, often showing loyalty and companionship similar to that of dogs. They can even recognise humans they havent seen for many years.Hear this:Donkeys large ears are a throwback to their desert originsas they help control their body temperature, as well as providing a heightened sense of hearing. Donkey Sanctuary/ShutterstockRelated contentEscapee donkeys rehomed by donkey charityCaring for a DonkeyThe Donkey SanctuaryArmed Forces veterans volunteer at The Donkey SanctuaryThe post 6 fascinating facts about donkeys as we celebrate World Donkey Day appeared first on Your Horse.

A pregnant donkey which was found abandoned in the Negev desert has safely given birth to a foal at Safe Haven for Donkeys sanctuary in Israel.Deborah, who is believed to be around two years old, was found abandoned in a village in northern Negev in September by a local woman. The lady contacted Safe Haven for Donkeys who came to her rescue and Deborah spent the rest of her pregnancy in the safety of the sanctuary with a team to watch over her.Last month, Deborah gave birth to a filly foal who was named Gervais after comedian Ricky Gervais whodonated 100,000 to Safe Haven for Donkeys in December to support its work.Gervais is full of life and doing well at the sanctuary.Incredibly movingWhen Deborah arrived, she was heavily pregnant and had no one to care for her. To see her now, safe and calm with her foal beside her, is incredibly moving, said Andy Foxcroft, CEO of Safe Haven for Donkeys.Deborah could have given birth alone after being abandoned. Instead, she was safe, watched over and cared for and Gervais has had the start every foal deserves.Gervais is full of life and already showing off her first teeth. She has brought so much joy to the team and is a tiny symbol of hope this World Donkey Day.World Donkey Day takes place today, Friday 8 May, and celebrates donkeys around the world. It is a global day that helps to raise awareness, spark action and support sustainable solutions to protect donkeys welfare and dignity.Deborah and Gervais are enjoying life at Safe Haven for Donkeys.About the charitySafe Haven for Donkeysis a British charity that cares for working and abandoned donkeys in Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Egypt, and Gaza. Find out more and donate to Safe Haven for Donkeys here.Images Safe Haven for Donkeys.More from Your HorseGroundwork exercises for horses to build trustGrowing resistance to antibiotics is a major threat to horse health and this is whyDo draw reins ever have a place when training horses? BHS coach weighs up the debateThe post Abandoned pregnant donkey gives birth safely at sanctuary appeared first on Your Horse.

Although British event rider Sam Ecroyd has had countless successes through the years and has regularly competed at four-star level, the 2026 Mars Badminton Horse Trials marks his first time competing at this iconic event. He won medals at pony, junior and young rider level at European Championships and he had two horses entered for Badminton in 2021. In April 2021 Sam suffered a rotational fall two fences from home in the novice class at Kelsall Hill. He was knocked out and had a bleed on his brain, plus 57 breaks throughout his skull and face and was airlifted to Aintree University Hospital. Following his dressage test at Badminton today (7 May), where he scored 36.9 with the 11-year-old, 18hh, Boleybawn Lecrae (Patrick) to sit in 20th, Sam shared how that accident affected him. It changed the way I rode significantly. I wasnt carefree before, but it changed the method in how I rode and trained at home, said Sam. It changed a lot. It changed my perspective. It was an unbelievably humbling experience. When youre sat there in a hospital bed and you cant move and you cant do anything, you dont take all the stuff you can do easily for granted anymore. So that moment was probably a revolutionary moment for me in my career. Sam explained that by the time he left hospital, he didnt have any top horses remaining in his yard he had five- and six-year-olds. I had Patrick and it has taken me seven years to get back to this level, so its a big moment to be here and everybody goes through injury in this sport its part and parcel of it but Im very lucky to be here and to be able to keep doing it. How Sams accident changed the way he rodePrior to his accident, Sam spent time training with one of the worlds greatest event riders, Michael Jung, in Germany. Ive always have a real mantra of making sure I travel across country; giving the horse the freedom and length of neck, and letting the horse be as much in front of me as I can, ensuring they are drawing me to the fence, explained Sam. Thats something that Michael instilled in me getting the horses neck away from you and the danger away from you and prepping behind it. I used to be really good at that, but without quite enough balance on the way into the fence and I let my natural eye let me keep moving to a fence, almost in a racing style, but now I make sure theres a balance and a prep for every single jump I change the horses balance and make sure they know a fence is coming. That meant that it took me quite a long time to get quick again across country I had a lot of time faults for two or three years, because I used to rely on that sort of flowing rhythm in order to go around. But its amazing how then you adapt your system. A dream come trueSpeaking of riding at his first Badminton, Sam says he remembers the first time he set it as an aim to compete here. I was in Oliver Townends house when I was about 12 years old my mum and dad are friends with his mum and dad, and I held the Badminton trophy, and since then my goal was to ride here one day, said Sam. For my whole career, each morning Ive woken up, sometimes at 2am to drive to compete in a BE100 class with some young horses, just to get to this moment, so Im just so pleased to be here. Sam has attended Badminton many times before as Emily Kings boyfriend, but he is very relieved to be competing this time. It feels so much better to be riding. Oh my god, watching its just the absolute worst, I hate it! he laughs. A lot to look forward toReflecting on his first phase performance with Patrick, who is owned by Stewart and Vicki Irlam, and who Sam broke in after he was purchased at the Monart Sale in Ireland, he said they have been working very hard on their dressage. Its not our strongest phase, but theres a lot of light at the end of the tunnel for him. Weve been working the very best we can.Hes only 11, and its never been his strongest discipline. He finds the test difficult and he can get a little bit excited, and now hes got to the stage where were at five-star, at least I dont have to teach him any new things, so we can start trying to get the stuff we already know a bit better. Sam said that hes had a walk around this years Badminton cross-country track and that it looks really good. I think its been very well built and that its really fair its pretty massive, but this is Badminton, so thats what you have to expect. Sam and Patrick do have some five-star form they finished 17th in the five-star at Pau, France, last October with a clear round inside the time across country. Hes a cross country machine, said Sam. So of all the horses to be here for the first time on, hes the one Id choose. Hes a special horse. Image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentI was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six year absence We call her Nana nothings a drama! Emotional US rider takes overnight Badminton lead on sweet mare Change in warm-up plan pays off for New Zealands Jesse CampbellTop riders battle with nerves, too! How one Burghley rider overcame a confidence lossHow to watch BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryThe post First-time Badminton rider, who broke 57 bones in a fall, reflects on his time training with Michael Jung and how his accident has changed the way he rides appeared first on Your Horse.

US rider Tiana Coudray is the overnight leader at the end of dressage day one at Mars Badminton Horse Trials with Cancaras Girl. They scored the only nine of the day to edge ahead on 28.1 penalties.This phase didnt go their way last year Tiana stating that that test didnt suit the mare and so it was a case of damage control but this time it really did.I cant put words to it. Two years ago, when she went into third overnight on Thursday, I was in floods of tears because I couldnt believe that this little horse had done that and Im going to cry again!To go into the lead at Badminton is a pipe dream; just to be at Badminton is a dream. I had a little tear putting her on the lorry for her third Badminton, thinking it was pretty darn special, seeing as she was only supposed to be a project we were going to sell on. Its the sort of stuff you dream of as a kid.We call her NanaTiana is from California and has partnered the mare for 10 years, bringing her through the grades from one-star level.We call her Nana, because shes a demure, sweet little girl. She doesnt need another horse in the world. She barely needs her people and thats only to serve her. Shes very happy in herself and nothings a fuss; nothings a drama. Shes a pleasure to have. She shows up here and shes the same horse in the stable as she is at home.But shes as fussy as you like! We have to really work to keep feed she likes and to tend to her every need, but she doesnt do drama. Shes just a really good girl.She got me back hereTiana, who represented the USA at the London Olympics and who previously competed in Irish dancing at world championship level, became emotional when talking about how Cancaras Girl has got her back to the top level.Ive had some very special horses, and I hope further in my career Ill continue to have some really special horses, but I had a long period of not having a top horse and having to sell all my good horses. I resigned myself that I might not get back to top level again shes the one that got me back here.Nine for the changesTiana scored the only nine of the day in the flying changes, a movement she says has always been the mares strong point.It was a real positive when we got her to advanced and then to five-star, where shes got four in a test. Dare I say we actually sort of messed up our first one a bit today she locked on to the cross-country jump and came off the aids. So thats one of the places where potentially she could have another nine. Its really exciting and Im really glad that they [the judges] rewarded what we felt was was happening at home.British riders in second and thirdTwo British riders lie second and third at this stage Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy ahead of Bubby Upton and Cola.Georgie Goss, who rides for Ireland, is in fourth aboard Feloupe, with fellow Irish pair Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint in fifth.The second day of dressage kicks off tomorrow, with Harry Meade first into the arena at 10am on his second ride, Annaghmore Valoner.Images by Tim WilkinsonUseful linksView the overnight leaderboardView the dressage start listView the cross-country fencesRelated contentHow to watch BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryI was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six-year absenceChange in warm-up plan pays off for New Zealands Jesse CampbellThe post We call her Nana nothings a drama! Emotional US rider takes overnight Badminton lead on sweet mare appeared first on Your Horse.

New Zealands Jesse Campbell is seeking a fourth Mars Badminton completion, this time aboard Cooley Lafitte, a horse who napped and was reluctant to leave the startbox when he started eventing.Jesse said their partnership has been built on trust, and he changed the horses preparation for their dressage test today, only mounting when he heard the audience clapping at the end of previous rider, Kylie Roddys test.I havent really ridden him at all today, hes just been doing a lot of lunging, said Jesse. It was a challenge for me. I was like, oh, gosh, I wonder if I still know how to do a flying change, or any of those sorts of things, but hes a really well-trained horse.We threw [the usual warm-up routine] out of the box and ended up keeping him up here [by the main arena], just milling around doing little bits of pieces of work. He gets upset going past all the food stands and big screens and people running at him and stuff.I heard clapping for Kylie, and I hopped on and trotted around, and then in we went.Flying changes a highlightJesse and Cooley Lafitte were 15th here in 2024, the same year they were 21st at Burghley. They also finished 20th at Pau CCI5* last season.The flying changes were a particular highlight in todays test, which scored 38 penalties.It took him a long time to get them, but now hes he knows them and hes confident, said Jesse. It would have been nice if he could have got some walk too, but I didnt want to push that too hard.Referring to Saturdays cross-country test, Jesse said: Its very big and in front of you, and there to be jumped. Im excited about riding it. Im not sure what the time will be like; it feels a bit smoother than in past years and I like the changes.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentHow to watch BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryI was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six-year absenceThe post Change in warm-up plan pays off for New Zealands Jesse Campbell appeared first on Your Horse.

Britains Bubby Upton leads the way at the halfway stage of the first day of dressage at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials (7 May). Riding her mother Rachel Uptons 16-year-old gelding Cola (pictured top), Bubby posted the only sub-30 score so far, for a mark of 29.8. He was really good, but I would say he was on the on the edge, which is how hes been all year, to be honest, being a little too fresh, explained Bubby. But we managed to navigate our way through. I wouldnt say it was a perfect, polished test, but with him being more established at the level now, and him being such a beautiful horse, he has such kind of natural presence anyway. Bubby said that Cola is getting stronger and stronger. Weve been reaching his best work in the past of couple of years and now he is established, our warm-up is only about 15 minutes long, but actually today I felt like I probably needed five minutes more, so we went in a little bit on eggshells. I had to ride my first couple of movements very quietly, just to ease him into it, and then he felt like he got into the groove, particularly after the walk, and then his canter was very good. Bubby went on to explain that she has worked hard with her team to nail Colas feeding regime, as he has been a fussy eater in the past. He looks a million dollars today and thats thanks to my team, but he used to be difficult to get right weight-wise because hes very, very fussy. He might have looked a little lean in the past for that reason, but now, with the help of Saracen Horse Feeds, weve really got his diet down to a tee and hes come into this week a bit heavier than normal and in the best possible shape. Georgie Goss, who previously rode under the British flag but now rides for Ireland, sits in second aboard the smart 16-year-old mare Feloupe, who Georgie owns alongside Lucy Fleming, Suzanne Doggett and Kelly Holmes. They scored 30.8, with Georgie rueing a mistake in one of their flying-changes, which prevented them from breaking the 30 barrier. Im delighted with the test, but Im just a bit annoyed and disappointed with myself, said Georgie, who is the only person to have completed Badminton 10 times from 10 starts. She never misses the changes and is usually bang on, but I missed that first change. The judges never give big marks on a Thursday morning and I would have liked to have been closer to the 27/28 mark, but there we go. Sarah Bullimore and CorimiroSarah Bullimore rounds off the top three with the promising 10-year-old gelding Corimiro, who is owned by her husband Brett Bullimore, Christopher and Susan Gillespie and Bruce Saint, on a score of 32.1. Im a little bit disappointed I feel like I let him down, reflected Sarah, who bred this son of Amiro Z alongside Brett. The trot work was lovely and his changes are normally beautiful and a highlight, but they just werent quite on the button today. He is only 10 and this is his first Badminton and obviously the atmosphere is nothing like he has experienced before, so it was a step up for him, but he loves the crowd and perhaps he loved them a little too much today, as we werent on the same wavelength.Tom Jackson is currently in fourth with five-star first timer United 36 on 32.1 and Katie Magee lies fifth with Treworra on 33.3, ahead of Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight in sixth on 34. There are another 16 riders due into the arena this afternoon, with Chinas Alex Hua Tian set to round off the first day of dressage on Chicko at 4.21pm. View the current leaderboardImages by Tim Wilkinson Related contentI was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six year absenceTop riders battle with nerves, too! How one Burghley rider overcame a confidence lossHow to watch BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryThe post British rider tops Badminton dressage leaderboard at early stage, despite having to ride on eggshells appeared first on Your Horse.