Tom Woodward pulled off the debut Mars Badminton Horse Trials test of his life to sail into the lead aboard Low Moor Lucky on a score of 27.9.The 23-year-old rider, who is one of the youngest riders in the field, has produced this horse who was backed late at the age of nine and is now 18 from BE100 level.Its pretty surreal [to take the lead], said Tom. Were local, in Hartpury, and I used to come here every year to watch as a kid and wed stay in the old campsite as a family. I used to look at the jumps out there on the course and think, how do you ever do that? I was probably 13 when I decided I wanted to try and do it. Ive just been incredibly lucky to find a partner like [Lucky] because hes just immense. I cant thank the horse enough. Hes put me on the map and allowed me to pursue a career in the sport.Quietly confidentTom confessed that he was quietly confident about achieving a good score.I didnt tell anyone, but he did a 25 at Blenheim last year. Ive always known how capable he is, but because weve learnt together Ive been very green and its taken me two years to actually catch up with his capabilities on the flat, said Tom. He had a bit of time off last spring and I was fortunate enough to have two four-star horses in my string and I learned so much. They wouldnt be as capable as he is on the flat, but I had the time to learn my craft at that level. Then when you get back on him, its just like going around on train tracks and if you give him the right instructions he just does it. He gives an amazing feel. So I quietly hoped and yeah thankfully it came off. I want to say a big thanks to Lisa White, my dressage instructor. Shes made a massive difference to us and Im very pleased for her as well.Tom was quietly confident about pulling off a good testFeral Luckys last chanceLow Moor Lucky was broken in as a nine-year-old when he was given one final chance after being very naughty to ride away.He was actually bred by a family friend of ours, Richard Dennis, and Ive now had six horses from him now, said Tom. Theyre fairly feral, but theyve all come good. Richard rang me and said if you can get them on the lorry you can have them. Ones just done his first three-star and ones doing her first two-star next week at Belsay. Theyre all very, very well bred.Lucky is sired by Luidam.He was one of them who was pretty feral but you wouldnt know it now. Hes Mr Cool, added Tom. He only did his first BE event in the September of his ten-year-old year, so hes 18 but fairly low mileage. Well get through this week and then see what else he wants to give. If he decides ones enough, thats fine by me. He doesnt owe me anything. Well just play it by ear and see how it goes.A big flashy boyTom and Luckys path to Badminton has included under-18 championships and top results at three-star level.We never bought him thinking hed do this, he was just meant to be a nice horse for me to learn on, said Tom. Hes not so much a modern type hes a fairly big lad, by Louis Dam, and a big flashy boy. He wouldnt be the most natural galloper but hes got fitter and fitter each year and weve worked hard at the fitness for here.Hopefully well be in good form to go as quickly as we can.Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class now lie second, ahead of Gemma Stevens on Chilli Knight, with eight more horses to go this afternoon.Images by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentAll the latest news from Badminton How to watch Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2025Badminton app is relaunched with new interactive featuresThe post Badminton first timer takes the lead on a once feral horse backed late in life appeared first on Your Horse.