Nicholson holds Badminton lead after dressage

Andrew Nicholson remains in pole position after the conclusion of the dressage phase of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Surprise

Despite producing the only sub-40 dressage test yesterday, Andrew had expected to drop a few places by the end of day two.

“I was a little surprised to still be leading, I thought I’d might drop back to fifth or so,” he said. “But Nereo felt very smart in there and I knew if something went in front of him they wouldn’t be very far in front.”

Despite having completed Badminton a total of 33 times, and winning a host of three- and four-star events in the past few years, Andrew is yet to claim the Mitsubishi Motors trophy.

“Last year I had a very good chance but I made a stupid mistake,” he said, referring to his unlikely tumble on the cross-country. “But I’ve had 12 months to reflect on that and this year I’m focused, I know what to do and I’ve got a very good horse, which helps.”

Nicholson also sits in a very handy 12th place with today’s ride, Calico Joe.

Brothers

In third place with a score of 39.6pen was Nereo’s full brother, Armada, who was ridden by Andrew Nicholson before Oliver Townend took on the ride in 2012.

It was nearly 10pen lower than their dressage score here last year, when they shot up the placings following cross-country to finish eventual second.

“I was very happy – I thought there were a lot of good horses to come after me, a handful who could have gone in front of me with ease,” said Oliver. “Armada can be fiery and it’s taken me a few years to retrain him,” he joked, causing Armada’s former rider to laugh.

Competitive

Andrew’s long-term rival William Fox-Pitt sits in second place with Chilli Morning, having produced a 39.0pen test during the final session of this afternoon.

The stallion is extremely strong in the first phase but today moments of tension caused a few errors.

“It wasn’t his best test but he did some lovely bits. A little bit of tension crept in and you can’t make three mistakes at this level,” said William.

Ingrid Klimke is fourth on Horseware Hale Bob on 40.2 penalties, while New Zealander Jock Paget’s two rides, Clifton Lush and Clifton Promise, are in fifth and sixth place.

Cross-country

With less than one cross-country jumping refusal or run out dividing the top 69 in the field, there could be plenty of movement in the leaderboard this time tomorrow.

William Fox-Pitt predicts that the course won’t be as influential as it was in 2014. “There’s plenty to jump out there but it doesn’t compare to last year,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how the time does ride as a lot of the galloping stretches have been broken up this year.”

Badminton on H&C is brought to you in association withEquifeast. For news, videos and television times visit ourBadminton minisite. For our special Badminton offer onH&C Play, click here.