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Eighteen horse and rider combinations retired on Cross Country.

1. Nicolas Touzaint (FRA), Hildago de L'Ile - 39.6 (9) - 4.8 = 44.4 (Nicholas and Hidalgo de L'Ile are pictured at the right. Robert Futh Photo.)
2. Lucy Wiegersma, Shaabrak - 37.4 (3) - 8.4 = 45.8 +1.4
3. Polly Stockton, Tom Quigley - 46.7 (23) - - 46.7 +2.3 (DCXC)
4. William Fox-Pitt, Ballincoola - 44.1 (17) - 4.0 48.1 +3.7
5 Georgie Davies, Fachoudette - 49.6 (=31) - - 49.6 +5.2 (DCXC)
6. Oliver Townend, Coup de Coeur- 40.0 (10) - 9.6 = 49.6 + 5.2
7. Caroline Powell (NZL), Lenamore - 45.2 (19) - 7.6 52.8 +8.4
8. Sharon Hunt, Tankers Town - 43.7 (16) - 11.2 = 54.9 +10.5
9. Nicola Wilson, Opposition Buzz - 55.0 (=48) - 0.8 = 55.8 +11.4
10. Matt Ryan (AUS), Bonza Puzzle - 41.9 (13) - 14.4 = 56.3 +11.9
11. Mary King, Apache Sauce - 51.7 (36) - 4.8 = 56.5 +12.1
12. Annabel Wigley (NZL), Black Drum - 43.5 (15) - 13.2 = 56.7 +12.3
13. Zara Phillips, Glenbuck - 44.8 (18) - 12.4 = 57.2 +12.8
14. Daisy Dick, Hope Street- 46.5 (=20) - 10.8 = 57.3 +12.9
15. Harry Meade, Midnight Dazzler - 52.6 (37) - 5.6 = 58.2 +13.8

(The last number on the above results indicates how many faults each competitor is out of first place.)

Two horse and rider combinations were eliminated on Cross Country. Interestingly, these two were first and second after Dressage. Andrew Hoy (AUS) and Moon Fleet, the overnight leaders, fell at Huntsman's Close. Ruth Edge and Muschamp Impala, second after the Dressage Phase fell at The Lake

Editorial Comment:

What a FABULOUS show! The coverage of Cross Country Phase of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials on the internet was complete and detailed! Every competitor's round was shown live.

For those of you who are interested you can see Sunday's Show Jumping Phase live on the internet on Sunday, May 4th at:
www.badminton-horse.co.uk. It does cost money; but, not much - 5 cents per minute. (Don't forget the five hour difference in time between the east coast of the USA and England - England is five hours ahead of the East Coast of USA, so the Show jumping will be in the morning USA time.)

As to the level of difficulty between the Badminton Cross Country course and the Cross Country course at Rolex Kentucky, if I were to rate Badminton at somewhere between an 8.5 and a 9, I would rate Rolex Kentucky somewhere between a 7 and a 7.5.

("I'd rate Badminton as a 9 at least and Ky less than a 7 ...." - commentary from Sally Futh.) Be that as it may, one has to wonder how prepared the competitors from Rolex will be for the Hong Kong Olympic Games versus the competitors from Badminton.

Mark Phillips, the USA Eventing coach, commenting on Eventing in American on British television, on Saturday, said:

"We don't have great strength and depth over there."

* * * *

The following is courtesy of an FEI Press Release:

IT'S VIVE LA FRANCE AS TOUZAINT TAKES OVER AT THE TOP......

The dressage leaderboard was shot to pieces during the cross-country phase of the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this afternoon
when reigning European Champion, Nicolas Touzaint from France, rocketed up from overnight ninth to take pole position.

The notorious Badminton track took a heavy toll on the leading pack and advantage-holder, Australia's Andrew Hoy, crashed out with Moonfleet at the Huntsman's Close complex, a mistake that would be replicated by many others as the top British fixture produced yet
another thrilling afternoon of eventing action.

Lucy Wiegersma improved from third to second position following an excellent run with Shaabrak who added only 8.4 time penalties to his dressage mark, but fellow-Briton Polly Stockton rose all the way from 23rd spot and lies third going into tomorrow's final show
jumping phase after recording one of only two clear rounds. The other was registered by Georgie Davies, a member of Britain's 2007
European Championship squad, whose meteoric rise was even more impressive. In 33rd before her fault-free tour of the track with
Fachoudette she is now in serious contention in fifth place, just over a point behind fourth placed British star William Fox-Pitt and Ballincoola.

Less than a single show jumping fence separates the top four and less than two separate the top 10 so the tension will be palpable as the closing stages get underway tomorrow.

The following article is courtesy of the Badminton web site:

After a day of exciting sport and drama at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, reigning European Champion Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) set himself up for a place in the record books after a fast, clear round put him into the lead at the end of cross-country. If he can maintain his lead tomorrow he will become the first Frenchman to win the event since it’s inception in 1949 and only the second mainland European winner since Swiss rider, Capt Hans Swchwarzenbach in 1951.

The dressage leader board was blown to pieces as one after the other of the top combinations literally fell by the wayside. Most dramatically both the over night leader Andrew Hoy (AUS) and second placed Ruth Edge (GBR) were eliminated after horse falls, while top ten riders Clayton Fredericks (AUS), Pippa Funnell (GBR) and Mary King (GBR) with Imperial Cavalier all ended the day on the floor. Time was of the essence although the drying ground on top of the recent rain created steady going and in fact just two combinations remain on their dressage score.

Nicolas, and Hildago De L’Ile who both retired here last year although went on to win the four-star event in Pau last October, added just 4.8 time penalties to their dressage score. “I was obviously keen to make amends for the technical mistake we had last year. While I saw the other riders having problems today I stuck to my original plan in which I mostly succeeded, “ said 27-year-old Nicolas, who is known for keeping a cool head in the show jumping. “I have high hopes and there is no reason why it shouldn’t all work tomorrow.”

A determined ride on Shaabrak moved Lucy Wiegersma into second place and on course for her best Badminton result to date although plan A – to go all the quick routes – did not quite come off. “I had intended to go all the quick routes but a couple of times my instincts told me to take the longer option – but he is very fit and a quality horse that I was able to make up time on the way home,” said Lucy who was impressed by the challenging course set by Hugh Thomas this year. “It is one of the most grown up courses I have seen at Badminton. You had to concentrate all the way – there was no let up.”

Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley, one of the two combinations clear inside the time, sat at the top of the leaderboard for a good part of the day but finished the day in third place just 2.3 penalties behind the leader.

The top four are separated by the equivalent of just one show jumping pole down – so the excitement looks set to continue in the main arena tomorrow afternoon – although all horses will have to be approved by the Ground Jury at the final horse inspection at 9.am.