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As expected, the cross-country phase of this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (2-6 May, 2018) proved influential with New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and Classic Moet leaping up the leaderboard from 22nd place after dressage to lead with the fastest clear of the day.

In second place is current Rolex Grand Slam contender Oliver Townend with Ballaghmor Class, on the same score as Jonelle. Jonelle leads because she was closer to the optimum time, being just one second over. In third are British European team gold medallists Ros Canter and Allstar B. Find out what the top riders had to say about their cross-country performances in our end of day report.

With just one pole between first and fourth place and two rails separating the top nine, tomorrow’s showjumping promises to to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Before that gets underway, it will be interesting to see what impact today’s tacky ground on the cross-country has on the horses when they are presented for the final horse inspection.

UK eventing fans who are unable to be at Badminton in person will be able to watch the action unfold across the BBC red button, BBC2 and the Badminton livestream (NB: some geoblocking will apply).

About Badminton Horse Trials 2018

Held in the grounds of Badminton House in Gloucestershire, this year’s event had a new-look cross-country course, as designer Eric Winter decided to send riders anti-clockwise around the course this year, heading to the quarry and Huntsmans Close at the start of the course.

WATCH Mary King walk Badminton cross-country course 2018 >>

One of just six four-star events in the world, the Mitsubishi Motors-sponsored event in Gloucestershire is arguably the most prestigious. The list of winners is a true who’s who for the sport of eventing and we can’t wait to see who will add their name to the roll of honour this time.

Badminton Horse Trials videos

Badminton Horse Trials history

The first event was held at Badminton in 1949 when the 10th Duke of Beaufort decided to host an event to help British riders train for future international events. The event has been cancelled five times, due to bad weather in 1966, 1975, 1987 and 2012, and due to foot and mouth disease in 2001. Weather also forced the event to downgrade to a one-day competition in 1963.