Paul Tapner back in the lead at Badminton

Paul Tapner is back in pole position after a drama-filled cross-country day at theMitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Paul’s plan

Tapner, the 2010 Badminton winner, was lying second after dressage and had been looking forward to the challenge of the cross-country.

However, as the course took its toll on the competitors and rider after rider failed to come home within the time, he had to make some changes.

“The plan was to get clear and get home.The Australian team coach had said ‘It’s a battlefield, just get home’ and that became plan A.I went the long route at Huntsman’s Close, which hadn’t been part of the plan, but I knew I was running out of petrol and I had to conserve energy through Huntsman’s Close. People were having trouble there because horses were getting tired.”

Huge move

The biggest mover of the day was New Zealander Tim Price, who shot up from 41st equal after dressage to second after the fastest cross-country round of the day with Ringwood Sky Boy.

“I’ve had a few climbs in my time but not up to second place at a competition like this!” he said.

Tim, who took a tumble off other ride Wekso right at the end of the competition, was also surprised to be in contention on the 11-year-old gelding Ringwood Sky Boy. “My other horse tends to be the more successful so this one tends to be more of an understudy.”

While many horses were finding the cross-country very tiring, Ringwood Sky Boy finished on good form. “He felt great – at Huntsman’s Close he was still travelling well.He’s got power and scope and he’s very honest. And he went early, which gave us an advantage.”

Pascal goes well

Another rider to shoot up the ranks was France’s Pascal Leroy, who moved up from 30th to third on Minos De Petra.

Best of the Brits was Oliver Townend in fourth place with Armada. The pair had been 34th after dressage but were also among the quicker finishers of the day – though Oliver felt the exuberant horse had become very tired by the end.

“Today for the first time he ran out of petrol. Going up to the quarry I tried to cajole him to go on and there was nothing there,” he said.

Oliver also gave a glowing review of the new course, designed by Giuseppe Della Chiesa.

“The course was fantastic, Giuseppa has done an exceptional – and a brave – job to get Badminton back to the way it was. You would have got better results if it wasn’t for the weather but you can’t predict that,” said Oliver.

A look ahead

Paul Tapner was full of his customary confidence ahead of tomorrow’s phase. “Kilronan is very reliable in the showjumping and has jumped plenty of clear rounds in his time,” said Paul.

Tim Price confessed that the showjumping was his horse’s weakest phase, while Oliver was pragmatic ahead of tomorrow’s concluding showjumping. “It will go one way or another. I have a plan and it will either work or it won’t,” he said. “I’ll just try to leave as many up as possible.”

For full cross-country results, click here.