TWO days of dressage culminated at Badminton Horse Trials on Friday, clearing the way for the much anticipated cross-country test on Saturday, writes NICKI STRONG.

Going into lunch on Friday, the top three placings remain unaltered from close of play on Thursday.

Mary King was given a warm welcome into the arena on Imperial Cavalier, but the cheers turned to gasps as the buzzer sounded to signal a course error. The error was a costly one in an otherwise smooth test and she came away with 42.8 and 12th at the end of proceedings. It was still all to play for after the break though, with some of the big guns still to come.

The afternoon brought with it a shake up at the top; Tetbury-based American Clark Montgomery, very close to the end, produced a breathtaking test from Loughan Glen to earn them an unbeatable 33. This relegated Highworth resident Paul Tapner to second.

Montgomery said: “I hoped but did not necessarily expect it. My horse has had some good marks before so I knew he was capable. The atmosphere actually helps this horse, it keeps him in front of my leg easier so he’s a good competitive horse in that way.”

Paul Tapner shared his thoughts on how Kilronan would handle tomorrow’s course, and responded to Clark’s concerns by saying: “My horse is Irish bred and the ground would suit him. I would not be unhappy if it got wetter to hold up the rest of the horses. That might help me make the time as it doesn’t sound like Clark’s going to! I didn’t necessarily expect to still be up here this afternoon but tomorrow is a different question.”

Francis Whittington maintains the third spot, and claimed he wasn’t confident enough to sit and watch the other tests. “I’m very happy with the test we did yesterday and it was an awful lot better than I was hoping it would be. There’s rain coming tonight which will definitely affect the ground and I’m very glad I’m early on.”

After being bitterly disappointed with yesterday’s test on Cool Mountain, Dorset’s William Fox-Pitt went much better on his second ride, Parklane Hawk, for 41 and equal seventh. He would share the honour with rival Andrew Nicholson and Nereo, who brought the dressage phase to a close on Friday afternoon.

Sir Mark Todd’s Leonidas made his four-star test debut to earn an impressive 41.8 that leaves the New Zealander with two horses in the top 10.

Tom McEwen felt Diesel would be competitive if he could keep a lid on things being such a hot horse. The young rider did superbly well to guide him round, and kept the horse looking relaxed and attentive throughout. McEwen was ‘delighted’ with their 44.8 and equal 20th. Badgerstown teammate Lugdwig Svennerstal also improved upon yesterday’s ride to gain 49.8 on King Bob. Mildenhall’s Jonelle Price went well on The Deputy for 43.7, which tops their Burghley score from last season. She goes forward to the cross country in equal 14th. The best of husband Tim Price’s rides was Wesko, who finished 24th on 46 penalties.

Lucinda Fredericks’s only ride Flying Finish retains a competitive spot, sitting in fourth place.