Impala leaps to the lead

Ruth Edge (GBR) and Muschamp Impala set a new standard on the final morning of dressage at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. The British combination impressed the judges from the start – receiving nines for their first halt – to gain a final mark of 36.1, the equivalent of 75.93%.

“That is his best test to date,” said 28-year-old Ruth of the 14-year-old British-bred Trakehner bred at the Muschamp Stud by their stallion Muschamp Maestro. “He is a hot horse and was especially as a youngster but has learnt to keep cool as he has got older and if I keep him relaxed, and don’t ask for too much activity – he has enough as it is – then he will keep calm.”

Ruth is currently enjoying a purple patch in dressage including a win and the ho9nour of a national title at the recent Winter Dressage Championships with her dressage specialist Shadowfax. “Competing under pressure in championship conditions is good for the competition mindset and raises the game,” said Ruth a long term pupil of dressage trainer Judy Harvey.

Impala also spent a year concentrating on dressage after injury kept him out of eventing and has been lightly competed for the last two years although the pair was second at the Scottish Open Championships last year and tenth at Burnham Market International in March. Ruth is hoping the course here will suit Impala. “”I really like the course and he enjoys big bold fences. The distances require big bold riding and put in the frame for how you are going to have to go.”

Australian Olympic gold medallist Matt Ryan also upset the top six moving into a current fourth place with the 16-year-old Australian-bred Thoroughbred Bonza Puzzle (no. 61)