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.