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Bruno Bouvier (FRA), Elise De Servins (38th)
Claire Phillips, Capuchin (42nd)
Emilie Chandler, Bridgestone (23rd)
Neil Fox, Young Thomas (47th)
Bill Levett (AUS), Minuto (44th)

Becky George (IRL) Wee Hot Toddy (24th) was sent to Holding and not passed upon re-inspection.

The youngest rider in the competition Matthew Wright (age 21) had both his horses In The Purple (25th) and Mallard's Treat (9th) sent to Holding. Both were accepted upon re-inspection. The same happened to Sam Griffiths (AUS) with Private Colin (7th), also accepted upon re-inspection.

The biggest news of the day is that the sun is shining, on and off,for the first time in five days! Hurrah!

Some Cross Country statistics:

34 horses completed Cross Country with no jumping faults, from 80 original starters.

No one made the time on Cross Country. The following is a list of the eight fastest rides:

Kate Wood (NZL), Witch Doctor - 15.6 time faults, 39 seconds over the time.
Sarah Cutteridge, The Wexford Lady - 16.8 time faults, 42 seconds over the time.
James Robinson, Comanche - 17.6 time faults, 44 seconds over the time.
Sammi McLeod (AUS), Enchantedt - 19.6 time faults, 49 seconds over the time and she had a refusal!
Caroline Powell, Softly Softly III - 20.8 time faults, 52 seconds over the time.
Bumble Thomas, The Psephologist - 21.2 time faults, 53 seconds over the time.
William Fox-Pitt, Tamarillo - 21.6 time faults, 54 seconds over the time.
Nicola Tweddle, Skiver - 22.4 time faults, 56 seconds over the time.

The constant rain and the holding conditions of the ground made it impossible to make the time.

The State of the British Seletion Process:

According to Lucinda Green, the Chairman of the British Selectors, candidates for Athens were given the choice of whether to run at Badninton or not. The ones who felt they had done enough included three of Pippa Funnell's rides, Supreme Rock, Walk on Star and Primmore's Pride and Mary King's King Solomon. Polly Jackson went to Lexington, where she finished sixth.

Show Jumping:

As usual, at this level of competition, although the time was not too difficult to get, double clears in the Show Jumping were at a premium over the Jon Doney designed course.

As the tension built and the top six began to jump, Sarah Cutteridge riding The Wexford Lady had two down for a final score of 82.0 to drop two places.

Next came James Robinson, who did have three rails in hand with Comanche. James needed two of those rails as he did have two down for a final score of 78.0.

Bumble Thomas, standing fourth on The Psephologist, also had two down to hold her place on 77.8, and eventually rise one spot to third. Bumble said, "I certainly hope I caught their (the Selectors) eyes enough to make a difference." Regarding her Cross Country run she continued, "On the 'chase, you certainly had to push to get the time. Of course, I went early. I set out just to get into a good galloping rhythm. I can only go at the speed I am happy and he came home running!"
Bumble and The Psephologist are pictured at the right.)

Australia's Andrew Hoy and Mr. Pracatan dropped a slot when they had three down for 12 faults and a final score of 79.0.

Andrew Nicholson, in second place after Cross Country, on a horse who had been tired at the end of the course Saturday, pulled two rails and had two time faults to hold his place on 75.0. When Andrew was asked why he had used a bitless bridle, his answer was, "I can't afford a bit!". Regarding Lord Killinghurst, Andrew added, "He felt like he really tried in there. I was a bit too agressive and tried to lift him over the last of the treble," which he had down.

The stands for Show Jumping had been sold out by last Friday. Not a sound was heard as William Fox-Pitt entered with the overnight leader Tamarillo. William had been in this same position with Tamarillo two years ago, when he failed to win, placing second to Pippa Funnell and Supreme Rock. William had three rails in hand; but, could not afford any time faults should Tamarillo pull three rails.

When Tamarillo pecked slightly after jumping an oxer, the crown gasped. Fortunately, William was able to get him back together.

The Hon. Mrs. Mary Guiness' 12 year old bay gelding Tamarillo had two rails down to win Badminton for the first time for the multiple time Olympian and European Championships Team Gold Medalist William Fox-Pitt. The predominantly British audience erupted with patriotic joy! (William and Tamarillo are pictured at the right.)

William commented, "I felt quite composed, quite relaxed. I went into that Show Jumping in the best position I could ever have imagined." Regarding his win William continued, "It's beginning to sink in. I've been second, I've been third. Luck was on our side. It was meant to be."

Regarding Athens, Williams thoughts were, I only went to Athens after the Test Event (last year). I walked around in shorts and was quite happy. It's quite a different story to have to ride a horse in that heat. We've got some great horses. We're optimistic to bring back a medal."

The top 10 placings were as follows:

1. William Fox-Pitt, Tamarillo - 70.4
2. Andrew Nicholson (NZL), Lord Killinghurst - 75.0
3. Bumble Thomas, The Psephologist - 77.8
4. James Robinson, Comanche - 78.0
5. Andrew Hoy, Mr. Pracatan - 79.0
6. Sam Griffiths, Private Colin - 81.2
7. Jeanette Brakewell, Over To You - 81.4
8. Sarah Cutteridge, The Wexford Lady - 82.0
9. Matthew Wright, Mallard's Treat - 86.6
10. Sarah Cutteridge, Exclusive Imp - 87.2

Out of the top 15, only Sarah Cutteridge and Exclusive Imp jumped a double clear. Only five double clears were jumped out of the 50 entries in the Show Jumping Phase.

Andrew Nicholson completed Badminton for the 22nd time and received his fourth Armada Dish. (Armada Dishes are given for five completions of Badminton.). He is within one completion of the record of 23 completions held by Lorna Clark.