The opening day of dressage at the prestigious CCI5* Mars Badminton Horse Trials concluded with British-based American rider Tiana Coudray holding the overnight lead aboard Cancaras Girl (feature image) after producing a personal best score of 28.1 penalties.
Thursday’s competition began against the backdrop of one of the week’s biggest talking points, after Oliver Townend announced via social media the withdrawal of his sole Badminton ride, Cooley Rosalent. The late withdrawal leaves the former winner absent from this year’s competition, disappointing fans who had hoped to see the world-class rider challenge once again at the Gloucestershire fixture. Townend famously won Badminton in 2009, but despite consistently remaining among the sport’s elite riders, has since finished runner-up on five occasions without adding a second title to his record.
Meanwhile, attention is building around reigning champions Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, who begin their title defence on Friday morning. Should the pair secure victory once again this weekend, they would make Badminton history by becoming the first combination to win the title three years consecutively.
The potential achievement comes just three months after Canter gave birth to her second child, Seneh, adding another remarkable layer to what is already one of the standout storylines of this year’s event.
With only three combinations breaking the 30-penalty barrier on Thursday, the leaderboard remains exceptionally close heading into the second day of dressage.
Britain’s Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy sit second on 29.3 penalties, just 1.2 penalties behind the leaders, while Bubby Upton and the experienced Cola start their 5th consecutive Badminton together, holding third on 29.8.
Irish riders Georgie Goss with Feloupe and Lucy Latta aboard RCA Patron Saint currently occupy fourth and fifth respectively, while Britain’s Sarah Bullimore sits sixth with the home-bred Corimiro.
The ground jury of Christina Klingspor (SWE), Amanda Miller (USA) and Angela Tucker (GBR) proved selective throughout the opening day, rewarding only a handful of combinations with sub-30 scores.
For Coudray, this year marks a third Badminton appearance with the Holsteiner mare Cancaras Girl, a horse she first discovered on Facebook a decade ago while the mare was advertised as a junior showjumping prospect.
“She was small, pretty and polite but never flashy and in the end I didn’t sell her,” explained Coudray. “It is a privilege to be here a third time and I will be as competitive as I can be. Everything is the icing on the cake with her.”
Now based in Wiltshire, the 37-year-old Californian previously competed in Irish dancing at world championship level before turning her attention to eventing through a school programme. She later represented the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Second-placed Rawlin is also contesting his third Badminton with the Irish Sport Horse Ballycoog Breaker Boy. Like Coudray, he trains with dressage specialist Tracie Robinson.
“Ballycoog Breaker Boy felt fantastic coming into Badminton,” said Rawlin. “He has had a good spring lead-up and I am very chuffed. We had a few mistakes, but there is plenty more to come.”
Meanwhile, Upton’s performance aboard Cola continued another remarkable chapter in the rider’s comeback story following the serious spinal injury she suffered in 2023.
The Newmarket-based rider has partnered the now 16-year-old gelding from BE100 level through to medals at Young Rider European Championships and five-star competition.
“To be here together for the fifth time is very special,” said Upton. “He is a horse that has fulfilled so many dreams.”
Attention is already beginning to shift towards Saturday’s influential cross-country phase, with riders praising Eric Winter’s latest Badminton track design.
“Eric is an absolute genius,” said Upton. “It’s a helluva track, big intense and will get us thinking.”
Experienced British rider David Doel, currently 28th aboard Ferro Point after his first test, described the course as “one of the fairest Badminton tracks”, adding: “The combinations come up clearly to the horses and it should ride nicely. It is still jolly big, though!”
FEI Eventing World No.1 Harry Meade currently sits in joint 18th place overnight with Et Hop Du Matz, a horse that only stepped up to five-star level during the 2025 season.
Meade returns to the arena on Friday with two further rides, beginning at 10am aboard Annaghmore Valoner before later presenting experienced five-star campaigner Cavalier Crystal.
Dressage resumes at 10am on Friday morning, with Canter and Lordships Graffalo scheduled to enter the arena at 10.48am as the competition intensifies ahead of Saturday’s cross-country test.
