The Irish are poised to make an assault on the Badminton leaderboard ahead of the weekends cross country and jumping phases, with a number of combinations within striking distance of the medal positions.Georgie Goss is best of the Irish, with her mare Feloupe scoring 30.8 penalties after an excellent test.Goss said: I was delighted with the horse, shes always so consistent and relaxed in the arena. We had one slight mistake in a change but otherwise a really pleasing test and Im looking forward to the rest of the competition.Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint, runners-up here in 2024, are next best on 31.9 penalties, and she was very happy with her mounts test.Latta said: Im delighted. The horse gave me everything he had and was really rideable. He can get worried in the atmosphere, but this is his third five-star and hes getting used to the big stadiums. He had some lovely flying changes and a good canter. I have taken a career break because the horse is now 15 and I want to enjoy him a bit at five-star level.Lucy Latta riding RCA Patron Saint During the MARS Badminton Horse Trials May 2026. Pic: Badminton Paris Olympian Sarah Ennis is looking forward to tomorrows cross county phase with Grantstown Jackson, especially with the course setup appearing to be configured in her favour. She will enter phase two on 34.5 penalties.Ennis said: Im so proud of him, it isnt easy for him and its been a long road with him but Im very proud, he just had one little moment.He was trending third after the flat work, which I was thrilled with because a lot of work has been done on that.Its not going to be a dressage competition, Im sure the leaderboard will turn upside down. Im looking forward to it.Last year we didnt have the best cross country but the year before that he was amazing and were going back that direction again and maybe it will suit him to go left handed.Austin OConnor and Sixmilewater are next best, just one place behind on 34.8 penalties, followed by Padraig McCarthy with 38.2 and Sam Watson follows him with Ballyneety Rocketman finishing on 39.6 penalties.HSI High Performance Eventing Manager Sam Griffiths was pleased overall with the Irish combinations and is looking forward to the weekend.He said: On the whole Im very happy with how the dressage phase has gone, we did some really solid tests and its going in the right direction.The good thing about the cross country this year at Badminton is that the going is perfect and it will make for a great day of sport.Its typical Badminton big and bold a lot of intensity and it will be big fence after big fence so weve got some good horses and were hoping for some good performances tomorrow. So far so good!The post Irish poised for weekend medal hunt at Badminton appeared first on .