The current leader is Boyd Martin (Tsetserleg TSF, USA, 29): ‘I am thrilled with the horse – he looked like a champion. We’re in with a chance. I am feeling sick to my stomach about the cross-country though; I’ve only been here once and didn’t finish. But I’m not here just to complete; I want get in and get stuck in.’ Tom Jackson (Farndon, 33.0): ‘I don’t mind being first to go – sometimes you’re better off getting out there. Badminton is big and bold and you’ve just got to get stuck in, and Farndon might just have the advantage with the ground. Although he hasn’t been to Badminton before, he’s got five-star experience and he’s a super-chilled and talented horse. I’m super pleased with his dressage test – it’s the best he’s done.’ Caroline Powell (CBI Aldo, NZ,  35.6): ‘I’m chuffed. It’s always a bit of a gamble bringing a nine-year-old [the youngest horse in the field] but it’s a good step for him. It’s a good experience and he’s a trier. I thought that if I got in the 30s I would be thrilled.’ Tom Rowland (Dreamliner, 34.9): ‘Honestly, I’m gutted. Dreamliner always takes a lot of motivation. But, hey, it’s not going to be a dressage competition and we’ve just got to give it our best on Saturday.” Wills Oakden (Arklow Puissance, 39.4): ‘He’s not an easy horse in the dressage but we hope to make up ground on Saturday. At one stage I was even enjoying it, but some of the rest of the test was a case of damage limitation. But he’s a great horse for me to learn on and it’s better to be here than sitting on the sofa at home.’ Pippa Funnell (Majas Hope, 40.8): ‘That was not the best I was hoping for, very disappointing and not my normal standard. But Majas Hope has been here three times and to Burghley three times and he’s an old horse who has seen it all before and so he’s been wired up ever since he’s been here.’