British Badminton debutant Emily King lies in second place following the dressage phase only 2.4pen behind Michael Jung.
Rising star
Riding her 14-year-old gelding Brookleigh King produced an assured and consistent test – picking up two nines from the judge at C Marilyn Payne.
“Brook was really good – he warmed up well and kept that similar feeling into the arena. I know he’s capable of doing a good test but he’s never been in such a big arena before in the end he was very rideable” said the 20-year-old who is the daughter of Mary King.
Despite it being her first time competing at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials Emily is in determined mode. She impressed last October in Pau her first four-star event when she finished fourth.
“I came here wanting to do well – I’m competitive and after a good result at Pau I knew my horse was capable of doing well” she added.
Emily’s mother won Badminton twice in 1992 and 2000. “I was very confident in how Emily and Brook were going to do he’s a very calm horse. I’m very proud” said Mary.
Cool headed
With Emily in second position the German stronghold at the top of the leaderboard has been altered with Andreas Ostholt dropping to third with So Is Et.
But Michael Jung remains in pole position as the competition moves to the cross-country phase. He is focusing on Badminton but the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing is lurking in the back of his mind at all times.
“It’s always in my head and the pressure is on but whenever I go to a four-star I try to win” said Michael. “It depends on so much – is the horse okay is the ground good? We had a good dressage but now we must concentrate on the cross-country.”
Trio of Brits
With Francis Whittington and Hasty Imp now occupying fourth place and Australia’s Christopher Burton slotting into fifth with Nobilis 18 a trio of talented Brits moved into the top 10 after posting good scores today.
Nations Cup regulars Dani Evans and Izzy Taylor hold sixth equal position on a score of 40.4pen with Oliver Townend close behind Black Tie.