Emily King said she is feeling absolutely normal now after a difficult start to the year which saw her fracture a rib and tear a lung.The British event rider, who is competing at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials this week with Valmy Biats, incurred the injuries when she fell in the showjumping warm-up at Thoresby in April.Im feeling absolutely normal now, thank God. It hasnt been the smoothest start to the year. Ive had a few little hiccups along the way, but feeling good, feeling strong, healed up, so it shouldnt hold me back tomorrow, said Emily.Balancing actEmily piloted Valmy Biats, with whom she was fifth at Badminton last year and fourth the year before, to a first phase score of 30.3.He always goes a little bit anxious with the crowds in there so its always a balance of keeping him relaxed but still showing him off enough, explained Emily.In the past Ive really shown him off and then had some bigger mistakes, and then gone a bit underpowered and had a little bit of a lower score so I was trying to get that balance with him.Today, he did feel really good. In the general work he felt amazing. He always finds his walk hard. He just wants to just get in gallop I say you can in a minute, but youve just got to work for a little bit longer first but no, generally, Im really pleased.Sams double dutyA different dynamic at Badminton this year for Emily is that her partner, Sam Ecroyd, is also competing. Sam is riding the 11-year-old, 18hh, Boleybawn Lecrae who is known at home as Patrick.Sammy always comes to the big ones and helps me with everything, but especially the cross country so hes got his work cut out [tomorrow]. He has to train me and then do his own thing, which might I say, Sam, I take priority, joked Emily.Well walk it [the cross-country course] lots. Well walk it as many times as we can and speak through the course with as many riders and trainers as possible, just to get their take on it. Sammy goes out pretty early on tomorrow so he can give it a good suss out. But they are very different horses. His horse is huge, but has got a quite a small, very quick stride. Mines small, but hes got a massive, a little bit of a slower stride. Valmy rides much bigger than Patrick but hell get a feel for the lines and then well just have to adjust the specifics of the ride for my one.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 Im feeling absolutely normal now: Emily King ready for Badminton challenge appeared first on Your Horse.