Lara De Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney DArvilles disrupted preparation for this weeks Mars Badminton Horse Trials didnt hamper their first phase performance, the pair scoring a five-star personal best of 28.6.If you do a PB at Badminton, thats the right place to do it, said the Belgian rider who sits third at the end of the two days of dressage.She knows shes at Badminton. She has been quite a lot to handle since we arrived, but my groom did a fantastic job until now and I think I made everyone proud, at least myself so thats the most important. So far, Im very happy.Weve been letting her graze about for hours, grazing, grazing, not let her think too much about it. She has not eaten too much yet. Think she lost quite some weight. Obviously you want her to be on a top form tomorrow. Shes 13 years old, and she has nothing to learn now so it was just about keeping her happy.Injury scareLara and the 13-year-old homebred mare, who won Luhmuhlen CCI5* together in 2024, nearly didnt make it to Badminton after a fall hampered their build up.She was in the stable for 10 days because we thought it was a fracture, but it ended up not being anything. I was not sure I was going to come here and now Im here. Its such an accomplishment to be here. Just riding in there and having nothing to lose really. I think Im just finally enjoying my time being at Badminton and not being so stressed all the time, said Lara.Im looking forward to the challengeLara, who finished 14th here with Hooney DArville last year, is looking forward to the cross-country tomorrow.I like the flow. I think the going is fast which we have to handle in a way that we shouldnt go too fast from the beginning and empty the tank. I think we all have to ride all our horses, said Lara. Its hard to wait so long in the day and take the info you need, but not the info you dont but I think theres a lot to jump. I would think its more about the accumulation factor than one fence in particular. Like a lot have said, the Vicarage Vee is quite intense so you want to be on time there, but you shouldnt try to catch up. Im looking forward to challenge, I think its what we all came for.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 CampbellIt makes him at ease: American rider uses nosenet in dressage testThe post Belgian pair overcome injury scare to deliver personal best appeared first on Your Horse.