Overnight leader Ros Canter has strengthened her bid for glory, remaining on top of the leaderboard after her Badminton Horse Trials cross-country round, at the five-star event presented by Mars Equestrian.
Ros rode a delightful dressage test on Lordships Graffalo to lead the field overnight on 22.1, and the world number three added an immaculate cross-country round to their Badminton 2023 record.
Watch Ros talk about her round
Nothing out on the course appeared to faze this talented pair, and “Walter” looked full of running at the end to finish with just 11.6pen – the second fastest round of the day, and enough to put them ahead of long-time Badminton Horse Trials cross-country leader Austin O’Connor.
“Wasn’t he amazing, as always,” exclaimed Ros.
“He has never really had to dig deep before – today was a new challenge for him – but he stepped up and tried hard. A horse like him should be celebrated – I haven’t sat on anything like him before. Whatever happens tomorrow, he has excelled himself this weekend.”
Ros had already jumped clear around Eric Winter’s Badminton Horse Trials cross-country track, and is also lying seventh with Pencos Crown Jewel.
“I felt this afternoon the ground was harder to ride [than in the morning], more energy sapping and getting quite tacky,” she said.
Bubby Upton, 24, rode a very gutsy round with Cola, jumping clear with 24.8 time-penalties to slot into a fantastic eighth place on the Badminton Horse Trials cross-country leaderboard.
Watch Bubby’s interview after cross-country
“He was amazing, it wasn’t quite as polished as at Burghley – there were a couple of moments where he didn’t go on the stride I thought he would, but that’s probably the deep ground – it’s so tough out there,” said Bubby. “I’ve never had to ride as positively as I did out there, but he kept plugging along. I’m so proud of him.
Bubby Upton and Cola on the 2023 Badminton Horse Trials 2023.
The pair were one of the fastest finishers of the day, but Bubby explained that the Catoki son is not a naturally quick horse.
“He’s not fast at all – his top speed is not fast, but I never have to pull on the reins, I know him inside out and he just chugs away at the same pace, and that’s why he’s fast.”
Emily King was one many people had their eye on today with Valmy Biats. They made a strong start, but Emily opted to pull up Philippe Brivois’ 14-year-old after jumping into The Lake at fence 21.
How to watch Badminton Horse Trials
If you are interested in watching Badminton Horse Trials live from the comfort of your home, wherever you are in the world, you will need to subscribe to Badminton TV. To sign up, visit watch.badminton-horse.tv – click the “Sign Up” link in the top right corner of your screen, then follow the instructions. An annual subscription to Badminton TV costs £19.99 and gives you 365 days of access to all of the content in the Badminton TV library, the ability to watch the action live, and the option to replay all of this year’s action later.
You may also be interested in…
Ros Canter makes strong bid for first Badminton Horse Trials title with ‘the ultimate event horse’
Oliver Townend pulled up by ground jury early on Badminton cross-country day, but pathfinder proves course is jumpable
‘I get very nervous when they go cross-country’: Pippa Funnell’s groom Emily Gibson on why Badminton’s so special
‘It’s in my veins’: William Fox-Pitt gives cross-country masterclass on Badminton debutante
Subscribe to Horse & Hound this spring for great savings
Keep up to date with all of the breaking news, behind the scenes insight and the best of the action throughout Badminton Horse Trials with no limit on how much you can read from as little as £1 per week with a Horse & Hound unlimited website subscription. Sign up now. Plus enjoy our full 22-page magazine report on Badminton, including in-depth analysis and exclusive comments from Nick Burton and Mark Phillips, in Horse & Hound magazine (on sale 11 May).
