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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 19 Videos Danielle Dunn's Badminton first-timer blog: I'm disappointed but this isn't going to be a dressage competition 01:31 Shock result on final day of Badminton: record-breaker takes emotional victory 02:40 Danielle Dunn's Badminton first-timer blog: it didn't quite go to plan 01:16 'It was pure fun': nail-biting finish to cross-country at Badminton 01:27 'I can't believe it': Burghley winner leads the way at Badminton 01:01 New rider tops Badminton leader board after seven year absence from the event 01:05 Danielle Dunn's Badminton first-timer blog: the cross-country is one thing, but first I have to survive the dressage 02:14 France and Germany dominate on day one of Badminton dressage: first-timers are best Brits 00:55 Mark Todd aims for fifth Badminton victory: 'I don't have any plans to stop eventing' 01:00 'The biggest Badminton I've ever seen': riders' first reaction to the cross-country course 02:41 Frenchman leads the way at Badminton dressage: popular British combination withdrawn 01:26 Kirsty Short's Badminton first-timer blog: so near, yet so far away 01:25 Badminton first-timers: Lydia Hannon — ‘I owe this horse everything’ 02:30 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 Riders' first reactions to the 2016 Badminton cross-country course 03:06 Ian Stark walks the toughest fences at Badminton Horse Trials 2016 03:31 Walk the Badminton 2016 cross-country course 21:51 Harry Meade: ‘Life is about challenges — we don’t know what’s ahead of us' 02:54 Leonora Smee’s blog: these are a few of my favourite things (I wouldn't be without them) 03:21

  • 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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