Friday, May 4 - the Second Day of Dressage

Lucinda Fredericks Dressage score with Headley Britannia from Thursday afternoon held up against the onslaught of thirty eight competitors who did their Dressage on Friday. This, of course, is a somewhat unusual situation in that most Ground Jury members seem to suffer severe cases of "Fridayitis" - giving higher scores on Friday whether the Friday tests deserve it or not.

The United States' Kim Severson from the second rotation Friday morning slipped in to second place with Winsome Adante, well know as a Dressage star. Kim and "Dan" are a mere one fault adrift of the overnight leaders from Australia. (Kim and Winsome Adante are pictured at the right. Photo courtesy of Robert Futh.)

Germany's Hinrich Romeike rode Marcus Voigt-Logistik to third place on a score of 39.4. There were only four scores in the thirties - the fourth of which belonged to Great Britain's Ruth Edge riding Two Thyme. This pair stand fourth on 39.6.

Zara Phillips, the daughter of Captain Mark Phillips and HRH The Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, is a favorite of the British Press who give her columns and columns of space. She stands in fifth place with Toytown, the horse on whom she won the World Equestrian Games last summer in Aachen, Germany. Ruth Edge and Zara along with Mary King, two time former Badminton winner, who rides Call Again Cavalier currently in equal sixth place; and Oliver Townend currently in ninth place with Tom Cruise II give the host nation four riders in the top ten going into Saturday's Cross Country - France has two, Germany has two and the USA and Australia each have one.

Gina Miles and McKinlaigh are in twentieth place on a score of 48.8, 13.2 faults out of the lead. (Gina and McKinlaigh are pictured at the left. Photo courtesy of Robert Futh.)

There is much talk of the lack of rain and the firm condition of the Cross Country course.

Sally Futh reports the following from Badminton, "At press conference. tonight (Friday) Lucinda Fredericks (the Dressage leader) said they had an extra riders meeting attended by Hugh (Thomas, The Director of Badminton,) Mike (Ethrington Smith, the TD) and vets. The
gist (of the meeting) was the riders told them unequivocally they want the WHOLE course upgraded before tomorrow a.m. If not most, at least those with only one horse, will not run.

"Apparently they did not use any water before they topsoiled. (The water) trucks (are) just for spectator dust and that lake is just sitting there full.

"I suspect - those who have been around Badminton who are not highly placed will not go. Those with conservative trainers and those who have a stop early on - - ditto. And after first horse comes in gimping - (there will be) mass defections."

Badminton Press Release:

Olympic Silver Medallists Show Their Style

While Lucinda Fredericks and Headley Britannia (no. 32) maintain their lead at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, their lead has been narrowed as the American individual Olympic silver medallists Kim Severson and Winsome Adante rose to the challenge to score 35.8penalties on their Badminton debut. (Photo courtesy of Badminton Press Release.)

The American rider and her British-bred gelding are just 1.4 penalties behind the current leaders. “I was very happy with his test,” said Kim who arrived in Britain three weeks ago to prepare ‘Dan’ for his first trip round Badminton Park. “He finally perked up in the last couple of days and was even a little spooky outside amongst the other horses. I was especially pleased with his changes as we have been working on getting them a little more expressive.” The combination has an impressive track record – they are three-times winners of the Rolex Kentucky American four-star event and members of the American team at the last two World Equestrian Games. “It’s never quite been the right year to come do Badminton before,” said Kim who travels back with Dan on Monday. “But any one who events wants to ride at Badminton and it’s fairly daunting to be here. I think the course is really big and bold but it will suit Dan as there are lots of small turns to and from fences.”

‘Dan, who was bred in England by Chris and Janet Gooch, is by the former HIS stallion Saunter. His dam Juswith Genoa, now 19-years old, by Bohemond, is now based with Julia Hodkin of Future Sport Horses in Lincolnshire and in the last three years has bred three more foals. Dan now has three half-sisters by Thoroughbreds Rock King, Andes and Primitive Proposal.

From The London Times, May 4, 2007

"Lucinda Fredericks, the overnight leader after the first day of dressage on her Burghley winner, Headley Britannia, is hoping for “a miracle” to be performed on the course over the next 24 hours. “I don’t think there’s any excuse not to have the going perfect for the horses,” Fredericks, . . . said. “But if the first 15 horses come back uncomfortable tomorrow, there are going to be a lot of withdrawals.”

"Sarah Cohen, a member of Britain’s Olympic squad in Athens, described the going as “disgusting”. Lying 37th overnight on The Wexford Lady, she said: “I don’t know how they can present a course like that. Badminton is the most prestigious event in the world involving top horses, many of which are worth over £100,000. You wouldn’t even trot a horse on the going as it is at the moment,” she said."

Stay tuned!!!


Standings After the Completion of the Dressage Phase

1. Lucinda Fredericks (AUS), Headley Britanna - 34.8
2. Kim Severson (USA), Winsome Adante - 35.8
3. Hinrich Romeike (GER), Marius Voigt-Logistik - 36.4
4. Ruth Edge, Two Thyme - 39.6
5. Polly Stockton, Tom Quigley - 41.0
6. Zara Phillips, Toytown - 41.2
7 Andreas Dibowski (GER), FRH Serve Well - 41.6
8T. Jean-Lou Bigot (FRA), Icare D'Auzay - 41.8
8T. Mary King, Call Again Cavalier - 41.8
10. Frank Ostholt (GER), Air Jordan - 42.2
11.. Oliver Townend, Tom Cruise II - 42.6
12. Nicolas Touzaint (FRA), Hidalgo De L'Ile - 43.8
13. Viktoria Calerback (SWE), Bally's Geronimo - 44.0
14T. Andrew Nicholson (NZL), Henry Tankerville - 45.2
14T. Sharon Hunt, Tankers Town - 45.2

26. Gina Miles (USA), McKinlaigh - 48.0

49T. Jan Byyny (USA), Task Force - 54.8

(77 competitors completed the Dressage Phase.)