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Danielle Dunn’s Badminton first-timer blog: the cross-country is one thing, but first I have to survive the dressage

Playlist 18 Videos The road to the Badminton Mitsubishi Cup: if you have a dream, go for it! 03:31 Leonora Smee’s blog: these are a few of my favourite things (I wouldn't be without them) 03:21 Leonora Smee's blog: it was an emotional moment that words just cannot describe 07:10 Leonora Smee's blog: packing for all eventualities 02:21 Leonora Smee's blog: see behind the scenes of an incredible show in St Tropez 05:25 Leonora Smee's blog: hoping my luck continues 03:37 Danielle Dunn's Badminton first-timer blog: it didn't quite go to plan 01:16 Danielle Dunn's Badminton first-timer blog: I'm disappointed but this isn't going to be a dressage competition 01:31 Danielle Dunn's Badminton first-timer blog: the cross-country is one thing, but first I have to survive the dressage 02:14 Leonora Smee's blog: come and have a sneaky look inside my horsebox 04:22 Kirsty Short's Badminton first-timer blog: so near, yet so far away 01:25 Kirsty Short's Badminton first-timer blog: Badminton's cross-country course looks right up our street, but will we or won't we? 00:26 Leonora Smee's blog: Polos are key 09:59 Leonora Smee's blog: One of my most useful schooling tools 04:53 Leonora Smee's blog: How is this going to help me in competition? 04:09 Meet new H&H blogger Leonora Smee 04:33 H&H dressage editor’s Area Festival video diary: Disbelieving the results of my small and fairly average horse 05:03 H&H dressage editor’s Area Festival video diary: Playing with the 'proper' horses 04:42

  • Hi guys,

    Thursday (today) was my quiet day, with the trot-up safely behind us and our dressage on Friday morning… except I must have walked the distance of a marathon!

    I am so lucky to have the help of some of the eventing greats — what more could a four-star first-timer ask for? First thing this morning I walked the cross-country course with Lucinda Green who, as always, gave me invaluable advice. Having the support from a six-time winner is incredible and such a support.

    After walking the course I worked Zo (Zocarla BLH) again on the flat but only for a short time as to keep her fresh.

    There is obviously a lot of media interest during Badminton, so to fit it all in I did a quick video blog for Horse & Hound en-route to watch the rest of the tests before lunch.

    In a bid to keep things as normal as possible, during the day, the star of the show, Zocarla has had some hand grazing intermittently by Hen so it’s as normal to what we do at home.

    In the afternoon I walked the cross-country again, this time with another legend — Andrew Nicholson, who I worked with last year. To have the support of one Badminton legend is great, but to have it from another competing alongside me, wow.

    So the cross-country… Ermm well — I think Eric has built a great course. It’s big and bold and I can’t wait to jump it.

    But firstly I have to survive the dressage tomorrow!

    Danni

    Don’t miss this week’s H&H (on sale today, Thursday 4 May), including a 16-page Badminton pull-out with full form guide, dressage test, judge’s analysis, course map and more.

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