THE COMPETITION HOTS UP

At the end of the final day of dressage it’s all change at the top of the leaderboard at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. 2006 winners Andrew Hoy (AUS) and Susan Magnier’s Irish Thoroughbred Moonfleet (no. 76) moved ahead of the early morning leaders Ruth Edge and Muschamp Impala. 

A fluent test from the Badminton veterans impressed the judges sufficiently for Ground jury President David Lee to award the pair over 81% - the first combination to break the 80% barrier.

Former three-times winner and crowd favourite Pippa Funnel (GBR) and Ensign (no. 78) moved into contention for a possible fourth victory taking fourth place with the former racehorse who was third at the four-star Pau event in France at the end of last year.  “I was so pleased with him today although I know there is more to come but you have to be so careful in this atmosphere not to ask for too much – but the standard is so high,” said Pippa who is feeling positive about tomorrow’s cross-country. “It’s good to see some old fashioned rider frighteners back like the Vicarage Vee. The fences over that part of the course come up thick and fast but to me it is more important to give the horse a good ride through those fences rather than going too quickly to keep their confidence.”

PIppa has the edge over the phenomenal Frenchman Nicolas Touzaint, the reigning European Champion. Nicolas and his 2007 Pau winner Hildago de L’ile will be looking to make amends for last year after the combination retired on their Badminton debut.

There is however still more to come and the stands will no doubt be full later on to watch Mary King (GBR) and Imperial Cavalier (no. 110) and the ultimate combination William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Tamarillo to see if they can repeat their 2004 Badminton Victory