Bubby Upton has gone into the lead after the second morning session on the first day of Mars Badminton Horse Trials dressage (Thursday 7 May).
Riding Cola, the 16-year-old gelding who has carried her from two young rider medals to a fifth consecutive Badminton, the pair were favourites to produce one of the best tests of the day.
They delivered a confident performance, only marred by some tightness behind in the changes, finishing on 29.8 penalties – a little below their six-test average.
“He was on the edge, how he’s been a bit all year, to be honest,” Bubby said. “A bit between fresh and too fresh.”
Bubby continued: “I wouldn’t say it was a perfectly polished test, but he’s more established at the level now, and he’s such a beautiful horse; he has such natural presence anyway.”
Cola, who is forever changing as he gets older, is now producing his best work, but warms up for just 15 minutes.
“I actually felt today I probably needed five minutes more,” she added. “We went in a little on eggshells and I rode my first couple of movements very quietly, just to ease him into it.
“Then he felt like he got into the groove, particularly after the walk – he really relaxed in the walk, and then the canter was very good.”
Sarah Bullimore “disappointed” after Badminton dressage
Sarah Bullimore with the talented 10-year-old Corimiro, who is out of Sarah’s championship mare Lilly Corinne, were next to go, and another combination expected to challenge the top of the leaderboard.
However, a mistake in the medium canter and subsequent change, knocked their score to 32.1 penalties.
“I’m disappointed – I feel I let him down,” Sarah said. “The trot work was lovely, but his changes are normally beautiful, and they just weren’t quite on the button today.”
Corimiro is contesting his first Badminton, and Sarah felt the atmosphere had got the better of him.
“We forget he is only 10, and it’s his first Badminton,” she said. “He’s seen some big atmospheres, but nothing like this. You can’t replicate it – it’s another step up.
“But he loves the crowd. When we came out, we stopped at A where everybody was applauding and he just stood there and went, ‘Oh, for me, all for me’ – he does love it. Perhaps he loved it a little bit too much, and we just weren’t quite on the same wave for the changes.”
Sarah hasn’t yet walked the cross-country course – “It all gets quite hectic” – but has the rest of the day and Friday to do so.
Georgie Goss and Feloupe split the British pair, sitting second after the second session on 30.8, with Sarah and Corimiro third on 32.1, and Tom Jackson and United 36 fourth on 32.2.
How to watch and listen to Badminton Horse Trials
To watch Badminton Horse Trials live or via catch up, including the trot-ups, from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world, you need a 2026 Badminton TV Pass. Badminton TV is once again powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £22.99. Go to badminton-horse.tv to sign up. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. Also check out the Badminton app, which provides free live results and much more this year. Sign up for Badminton Plus membership for £4.99 to access the live Radio Badminton broadcast and receive exclusive offers from on-site exhibitors. Search for Badminton Horse Trials in your app store.
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