The penultimate rider of the day, Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy, went into second place on the first day of Mars Badminton Horse Trials dressage (Thursday 7 May), with 29.3 penalties.
“All smiles,” said Will. “Even from Burghley last year, we’ve stepped it up again, and there’s still so much more in there.
“He was definitely keen in the canter and slightly grabbed hold of the bit, but he’s a very sensitive horse and can feel me, so if I kept myself relaxed, I’d like to think it followed through to him.
“It wasn’t perfect, there were a few things in there – but overall the picture and the feeling I had underneath me was fantastic.”
Will, whose home is 40 minutes from the event, has walked the Badminton cross-country course once and likes this year’s direction.
“It’s bloody huge – there are a few big, big fences,” he said. “Having done both ways now, I just feel [this direction] gets you in the rhythm and the flow better, and it seems really inviting. Everything’s there for the horses to jump.”
Will was clear about where he and the 14-year-old Ballycoog Breaker Boy now sit in the sport.
“I would have been disappointed if I wasn’t in the top three today,” he said. “We’re at the stage now where we could start contesting those top positions.”
Alex Hua Tian: “I could have taken a few more risks”
Last to go, Alex Hua Tian and the experienced 16-year-old gelding Chicko went into eighth with 32.8 penalties.
“I’m really thrilled with Chicko – he’s such a tryer,” Alex said. “He isn’t the most talented in this phase, but he really goes in and tries to do his job, sometimes a little bit too hard.
“Today I really felt he was with me. He was trying hard, and he was relaxed enough. I’m a little bit annoyed at myself – I could have maybe taken a few more risks, had his ears a bit more up and just gone for it. But I’m happy.”
Alex has walked the cross-country course several times and last jumped the Holland Cooper Vicarage Vee in 2016 on Harbour Pilot – a fence several riders picked out as one of the most apprehension-inducing on Eric Winter’s track.
“It’s a nice track,” he said. “Obviously, the Vicarage Vee is in there – always intimidating. But I think Eric’s been quite kind and given us a few chances to jump across the ditch in a similar way before. But the bank is massive.”
Will and Ballycoog Breaker Boy sit second overnight behind Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl, who took the lead in the final session on 28.1. Bubby Upton and Cola, who had led after the second session with the first sub-30 test of the day, dropped to third on 29.8.
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To watch Badminton Horse Trials live or via catch up, including the trot-ups, from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world, you need a 2026 Badminton TV Pass. Badminton TV is once again powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £22.99. Go to badminton-horse.tv to sign up. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. Also check out the Badminton app, which provides free live results and much more this year. Sign up for Badminton Plus membership for £4.99 to access the live Radio Badminton broadcast and receive exclusive offers from on-site exhibitors. Search for Badminton Horse Trials in your app store.
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