Germany commands the Number 1 and 2 positions at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials after an influential Badminton cross-country that saw numerous top names come unstuck and only 37 percent of the field post clear rounds.
Ingrid Klimke (GER) and Horseware Hale Bob OLD are in the lead ahead of the jumping, having added just 3.2 time penalties to their dressage score on Saturday.
Ingrid will need to be foot-perfect to stay ahead of reigning Badminton champions and double Olympic gold medallists Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique Sam, who are just 0.4 penalties behind.
In third place, the veteran combination of Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo were the last pair on course yesterday. Andrew picked up 2.4 time penalties, due to his horse slipping a couple of times on the dry grass cover.
Tim Price (NZL) and Xavier Faer were the only combination other than Michael Jung and Sam to come home inside the time, climbing 30 places, to finish fourth after the cross-country, up from 34th after dressage.
Oliver Townend’s second ride ODT Ghareeb leapt 40 places up the leaderboard to lie in 7th behind Ros, while Badminton first timer Alex Bragg is less than a penalty behind in 8th on Zagreb.
There was plenty of disappointments on Eric Winter’s influential cross-country course on the day. Christopher Burton (AUS), leading after dressage with Graf Liberty, had a run-out at the Hildon Water Pond (15). Kathryn Robinson (CAN), had a fall at the lake with Let It Bee. The pair jumped through the combination, but the horse slipped and missed the turn at the exit to the course. Jonty Evans (IRL) and Cooley Rorkes Drift had a fault at the Joules Corners (21).
Others coming unseated included Badminton first-timer Sarah Parkes, whose Balladeer Durban Hills continued to jump the course even after leaving his jockey behind. Following this morning’s trot-up, Lissa Green and Alexander Bragg have both withdrawn their horses.
Watch our exclusive interviews from the MMBHT here.