The sun shone for the first day of the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championship at Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire, with competitors in both the BE90 and BE100 commencing their championship campaigns in the dressage phase.
BE100
Last year’s runner up Jane Rogers kicked off her mission to go one better this year by putting herself firmly in the lead overnight after dressage in the BE100 Championships. Riding her striking homebred 17-year-old palomino British gelding Corrieview Merlin Magic, Jane earned 26.3 for her fluent test to sit in the lead overnight.
“My son Tim Rogers warmed me up – he’s my secret weapon, and I did ½ an hour of yoga before I got on to loosen my hips up,” said Jane. “I was pleased with the test – he was nice and soft in his neck and went well. The cross-country course looks good. This is his sixth time round this course but the ground will be influential as he doesn’t like holding ground. I’m in for a sleepless night now, but I’m hoping for a good day.”
Imogen Pugh sits in second with Project Pony’s Moonshine Melody on a score of 27.1, while three riders share third place on 27.9; Emily Hamilton and Musical Legend II, Zoe Sollis and Dalsown Done And Dusted, and Bronia Hill and Joie De Tourlida.
BE90
On their third visit to the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championship, Joanne Monkman and her 13-year-old mare G Damascus, have moved straight into the lead after dressage thanks to their 25-dressage test. They finished 11th last year on their dressage score of 31.6, so they have everything to play for this year.
“’DeeDee’ can be quite feisty during a dressage test, so I was super pleased with my test today as it was one of the best tests we’ve done so far,” said Joanne. “She’ll enjoy tomorrow a lot more than today!”
Sitting just 1.3 marks behind in second is Ben Fairbrother and Upper Limit on 26.3, and in third with 26.8 is Nicky Tyrrell and Petlin Jessica.
The grassroots jumping phases take place on Wednesday morning, with the BE100 cross-country starting at 10am and the first to show jump setting off at 9am.
Equireel will be on hand to video competitor’s rounds, and 1st Class Images are the on-site photographers.
Follow the scores live via here.
To find out more about the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championship, click here
Admission tickets must be bought in advance. Click here for the Box Office.
All the action, along with analysis and interviews, will be shown live on Badminton TV. Click here
More information on visiting can be found here
Images are courtesy of 1st Class Images.
