Great Britain’s Tom McEwen and JL Dublin lead the CCI5*L Badminton Horse Trials following day one of the dressage on Thursday, with the pair scoring an impressive 22.4 penalties.
“He was amazing, so relaxed and to show all that power – he got the mark he deserved,” said McEwen following the test. “He’s unbelievably talented and a showman – he knows he’s here. And a huge positive to Badminton for the ground, which looks great.”
McEwen said the only part of the test he wasn’t happy with was the medium/extended trot. “I kind of want it to be a Freestyle so I can go back and do another medium/extended trot… it’s usually his showpiece, but I just went too big and it got a bit long and strung out.”
British riders filled the top nine placings, with Emily King and Valmy Biats second on 27.3 and Tom Woodward with Low Moor Lucky third on 27.9. “I’ll take that,” said local rider Woodward. “It feels pretty surreal. He loves a crowd, nothing phases him.”
The two Australian combinations competed Thursday, with Badminton debutants Samantha Cesnik and Graftango scoring 36.2 to place =25th.
Sammi Birch and Finduss PFB are 36th with a score of 40.8.
“Louis sadly was affected by the atmosphere and was a bit excited… glad to have got that out the way and looking forward to Saturday!” said Birch via social media following the test.
View the dressage results here.
The second day of dressage takes place Friday, where the standings ahead of Saturday’s cross country will be decided.
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