What leader Tom McEwen said about the dressage marking, plus other stories you need to read from Badminton today

At the close of the first day of Badminton Horse Trials dressage, at the event presented by Mars Equestrian, Tom McEwen – the fourth rider into the arena this morning – still leads the way with Toledo De Kerser.

• Read what Tom said about his test and his comments on the dressage marking

Kitty King sits second on her European gold medallist Vendredi Biats, while Mollie Summerland is in third with Charly Van Ter Heiden.

• Find out why Kitty was stressed yesterday and how Mollie is coping with the pressure of coming here as a five-star winner

US rider Tamie Smith holds fourth with Mai Baum, while Piggy March (Vanir Kamira) and Oliver Townend (Swallow Springs) are equal fifth.

• Where Tamie made an early mistake in her test and why Piggy was nervous about Vanir Kamira remembering 2019
• What Oliver loves about Swallow Springs

Emily King was the best of the riders in the final session today, riding Valmy Biats.

• Read about how much Valmy Biats has progressed in just two years

Top riders also talked about their first impressions of the cross-country course, designed by Eric Winter.

• Thoughts from Ros Canter, Piggy March, Pippa Funnell and more
• See pictures of all the cross-country jumps

There were also some great stories from riders competing in the Badminton Horse Trials dressage today.

• Meet the married couple who are both competing – he’s a building site manager, she nearly gave up eventing after pregnancy complications
• The ex-racehorse having another crack at five-star after four years away

You might also be interested in:

‘He was phenomenal’: Tom McEwen takes an early lead at Badminton with personal best dressage score

‘It smacks you in the face that you’re at a five-star’: riders’ reactions to the Badminton cross-country course

Floaty skirts, tartan trousers, hats and a dirndl: which is your favourite outfit from the Badminton trot-up?

The Horse & Hound Badminton Daily Podcast day one: First horse inspection | Predictions | Thoughts on the cross-country course

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Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.