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Frenchman leads the way at Badminton dressage: popular British combination withdrawn

Playlist 19 Videos New rider tops Badminton leader board after seven year absence from the event 01:05 History made at Bramham as first Japanese rider takes CCI3* title: disappointment for overnight leader 00:49 'She's a little star but also hysterical': Gemma Tattersall has commanding CCI3* dressage lead at Bramham 00:50 'I couldn't ride at all last week': Paul Tapner leads Bramham CIC3* 00:41 Shock result on final day of Badminton: record-breaker takes emotional victory 02:40 Danielle Dunn's Badminton first-timer blog: it didn't quite go to plan 01:16 'It was pure fun': nail-biting finish to cross-country at Badminton 01:27 Danielle Dunn's Badminton first-timer blog: I'm disappointed but this isn't going to be a dressage competition 01:31 'I can't believe it': Burghley winner leads the way at Badminton 01:01 Danielle Dunn's Badminton first-timer blog: the cross-country is one thing, but first I have to survive the dressage 02:14 France and Germany dominate on day one of Badminton dressage: first-timers are best Brits 00:55 Mark Todd aims for fifth Badminton victory: 'I don't have any plans to stop eventing' 01:00 'The biggest Badminton I've ever seen': riders' first reaction to the cross-country course 02:41 Frenchman leads the way at Badminton dressage: popular British combination withdrawn 01:26 Kirsty Short's Badminton first-timer blog: so near, yet so far away 01:25 Badminton first-timers: Lydia Hannon — ‘I owe this horse everything’ 02:30 Kirsty Short's Badminton first-timer blog: Badminton's cross-country course looks right up our street, but will we or won't we? 00:26 Riders' first reactions to the 2016 Badminton cross-country course 03:06 Ian Stark walks the toughest fences at Badminton Horse Trials 2016 03:31

  • Astier Nicolas rode an accurate and polished test on the morning of the first day of dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (4 May) to take the lead at this early stage of competition.

    Riding his Rio Olympic team gold and individual silver medallist Piaf De B’Neville, the Frenchman impressed the judges to score 41.5.

    Astier Nicolas and Piaf De B’Neville

    “My horse likes to be on stage in front of the crowds which means I can ride for every mark,” explained Astier. “I’m so happy — he always gives me more than I think he has and it’s nice that he’s so rideable.”

    This result comes as a welcome relief for the 28-year-old who was held at the first horse inspection yesterday.

    Sir Mark Todd is 1.4 penalties behind Astier in second place. The New Zealander scored 42.9 on Leonidas II.

    “I’m thrilled — that’s the best test he’s done,” said Mark of his 2016 Olympic ride. “It’s the first time he’s felt rideable and he didn’t put a foot wrong — maybe at the age of 13 he’s finally starting to grow up!”

    Mark was, however, disappointed in himself for riding his final halt and salute in the wrong place, for which he was penalised.

    “I halted at G and not I,” he confessed.

    Badminton first-timer Alex Bragg was chuffed with his test on Zagreb to find himself currently lying in third place on a score of 44.6.

    “There’s stuff we’ve got to fix and make better, but he’s gone in there and delivered the best he can at the moment. I’m thrilled to get over 70%,” said Alex.

    Tina Cook is the next best placed Brit in fifth place riding Calvino. The pair scored 47.2.

    “My horse has a lovely attitude, but with his eagerness to please he sometimes gets tight in the neck,” said Tina.

    Continued below…

    Meanwhile, Laura Collett has withdrawn Grand Manoeuvre before the dressage.

    The pair were held at the first trot-up and it has been revealed that the horse slipped over before the horse inspection and is stiff today, preventing them from carrying on.

    Don’t miss this week’s H&H (on sale today, Thursday 4 May), including a 16-page Badminton pull-out with full form guide, dressage test, judge’s analysis, course map and more.

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