A cold wind at Badminton this morning and no sunshine in sight for the Thursday morning horses which doesn’t help with relaxed dressage tests. The judges were pretty much in agreement with plenty of scores differing by just 1 or 2% but they were definitely on the tough side and when Ollie Townend scored 29.3 on Ballaghmor Class he was pretty punchy in his media interviews about his reflections on the score!
Tim and Viscount Viktor were the first of the Kiwis down the centre line after the last minute withdrawal of last years winners, Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier. Tim was initially not over impressed with his core of 33.2 but as the day wore on and he ended up in 15th spot out of 40 starters it became allot better! Viktor does have his demons but he contained himself so well to deal with the atmospheric arena and he picked up some good marks as when he is good he is such an elegant beautiful uphill horse. The first and last change in this test are double marks and both of those he nailed, his only real error was in the first change in the serpentine which was late. He did himself proud and he will be happy to see the last of the dressage saddle for a bit!
Jonelle and Grappa Nera (Grape) were not far behind Tim and Grape looked pretty on it in the collecting ring, stalking a fabulous extended walk across the last 10 minute warm up and looking stunning. The trot work in the main arena was well marked, she walked well apart from the pirouettes which she finds totally and utterly pointless and the canter work was great apart from the changes which are her nemesis. The first change marked well with two 7’s but after that it was all downhill for the next three and that simply hammers the score and it was 35.3 that went on the board. If Viktor will be happy to be in a jumping saddle from now on I would assume that Grape would be ecstatic!
The judges did get a little more enthused in the afternoon and it was a well deserved leader at the end of day one when Tom McEwen and J L Dublin scored a 22.4 to be 4.9 in the lead. Apart from a break in the extended trot it was a polished and foot perfect performance. Hopefully by Friday afternoon when Vitali gets to strut his stuff the judges will really be on a roll!
