Wet ground, fast rounds and mixed fortunes: all about Badminton’s cross-country day

Ros Canter tops the Badminton Horse Trials cross-country results after an action packed day, at the event presented by Mars Equestrian.

• Find out what Ros said after her round on Lordships Graffalo

Watch top riders reflect on Badminton cross-country day

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor put in the fastest round of the day to speed up the leaderboard on Colorado Blue, moving up from equal 34th after dressage to second overnight

• What did Austin say about his speedy performance?

Oliver Townend had a mixed day, failing to finish on his first horse Swallow Springs, but moving Ballaghmor Class into third towards the end of the day.

• Oliver’s thoughts on his second round, with the double five-star winner Ballaghmor Class

British team riders Tom McEwen and Kitty King had back-to-back start times, but fared very differently over the track.

• What happened to Tom and Kitty?

Gemma Stevens holds sixth with Jalapeno, although she admitted she was a little scared before her round.

• Read about Jalapeno’s fitness routine – and Gemma’s

They say form is temporary, but class is permanent – and William Fox-Pitt proved that today. He sits 12th overnight on Grafennacht.

• What persuaded William to start today when he was thinking of withdrawing?

Riders across the field agreed that the ground conditions were testing, with 28 combinations failing to finish.

• Find out what the cross-country pathfinder and other top names had to say about the way the course rode

James Rushbrooke and Milchem Eclipse were among the big climbers on the Badminton Horse Trials cross-country results, rocketing 40 places up the leaderboard with their clear jumping round.

• Watch James Rushbrooke talk about his partnership with Milchem Eclipse

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials

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You might also be interested in:

‘A horse like him should be celebrated’: Ros Canter rides textbook cross-country clear to maintain Badminton lead

Irish rider speeds into the lead with fastest Badminton cross-country clear so far, while title contender withdraws

‘He was unreal’: Tom McEwen keeps Badminton dream alive, but leading contender falls early on course

Oliver Townend pulled up by ground jury early on Badminton cross-country day, but pathfinder proves course is jumpable

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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.