A new routine propels British Olympian to dressage lead, a diminutive star and eight other stories you must read from Badminton today

Laura Collett took the lead in the first session of day two of the Badminton Horse Trials dressage, at the event presented by Mars Equestrian. Riding her Olympic gold medallist London 52, Laura scored 21 to sit 2.4 penalties ahead of yesterday’s leaders Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser.

• Find out how Laura has changed her routine with London 52 since the Tokyo Olympics

But there was disappointment for another Tokyo medal-winning pair, Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class.

• Read what Oliver said about his score

Meanwhile Tim Price produced the veteran Ringwood Sky Boy to a sub-30 score and 19th at this stage.

• How Tim has changed the 19-year-old’s routine as he’s become older

A plethora of French riders took to the arena today…

• Who went best of the French?

Bubby Upton is one of the most high-profile British first-timers coming into this Badminton .

• Find out how Bubby’s test went – and which Irish debutant impressed

Meanwhile, a diminutive horse took to the arena today and won new fans.

• Watch a video of Sarah Way talking about her tiny star

Canadian Badminton debutant Mike Winter’s horse El Mundo has made an extraordinary comeback from a broken stifle to compete at five-star.

• Read about El Mundo’s lengthy recovery

Grooms are a key part of every rider’s effort, so we are taking the time to catch up with a few this week.

• Meet Susie Berry’s groom Chrisy Salmon

You’d think an allergy to horses would prevent someone from progressing far in riding, but the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championships BE90 winner is disproving that theory…

• Read about the BE90 championship

And finally, with the Badminton Horse Trials dressage over, don’t forget to make a plan for tomorrow’s cross-country…

• Badminton Horse Trials cross-country times

You might also be interested in:

‘I can’t believe how emotional I am’: Laura Collett storms into the lead on day two of Badminton dressage

‘Tomorrow is another day, thank God’: Oliver Townend reflects on disappointing Badminton dressage score

‘Dope of the yard’ takes Badminton BE100 grassroots championships title

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials 2024: what you need to know

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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.