Oliver Townend’s horses ‘have never felt so good’, plus other stories you need to read from day one at Badminton

At the close of the first day of Badminton Horse Trials dressage, at the event presented by Mars Equestrian (4–8 May), Oliver Townend – the third rider into the arena in the morning – still leads the way with Swallow Springs.

• Read what Oliver said about his test, and the current strength of his horsepower

Gemma Stevens (née Tattersall) sits second with Jalapeno, who is by 2015 Badminton winner Chilli Morning.

• Find out why Gemma could “ride every inch of grass” in her test today

New Zealand rider Tim Price is in third with Vitali as Tim bids to add a Badminton victory to his illustrious list of achievements.

• Find out why Tim said he wants to “spread his feelings” with this horse at this year’s Badminton

Tim’s fellow Kiwi, Caroline Powell, has a star in her midst with the 10-year-old mare Greenacres Special Cavalier, who sits in fourth after the first day of dressage

• Read about how this mare’s shape and size affects how Caroline has trained her

2022 Burghley runners-up Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift currently hold fifth.

• Read about how this horse’s work in the first phase has improved since Burghley

Top riders also talked about their first impressions of the cross-country course, designed by Eric Winter.

• Thoughts from Pippa Funnell, Harry Meade, Tim Price and more
• See pictures of all the cross-country jumps

There were also some great stories from riders competing in the Badminton Horse Trials dressage on day one.

• Meet the youngest rider at Badminton and her second-generation home-bred
• Meet the NHS dentist making her Badminton debut
• The Badminton first-timer who might surprise you
• Find out how the rain helped one five-star stalwart to achieve a personal best in the first phase
• Meet another Badminton debutante who has finally made it to the event after two previously failed attempts
• Find out about one rider who describes being at Badminton as “crazy and amazing”
• Meet Kitty King’s groom, who says that the horse she is responsible for this year “spends a lot of time under the shower”
• Finally, find out why unfortunately one rider’s Badminton dream came to an end before it really had a chance to start

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Gemma Redrup

H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.