Badminton, Gloucestershire, England – Two days of dressage at the 2016 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials CCI4* saw 77 combinations come down the centerline in front of the Ground Jury of Marilyn Payne (USA), Andrew Bennie (NZL), and Angela Tucker (GBR). Buck Davidson and The Apprentice are just outside the top 20 after the first phase and lead the U.S. contingent with a score of 45.7, followed by Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grant recipient Boyd Martin and Cracker Jack and Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. 

Davidson (Ocala, Fla.) had a relaxed dressage test with Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice in the horse’s Badminton debut. He and the 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding executed good trot work and a great extended canter, but had bobbles in the walk pirouette and second flying change. For their overall solid performance, Davidson and The Apprentice received a score of 45.7 to sit in 21st place.

“When it was time to go, he really stepped up and did the best work he has done all week. There is certainly room for improvement in there, but I am very proud of him to go in there and keep it together and do what he did,” Davidson said.

Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) had a consistent dressage test with Lucy Boynton Lie's Cracker Jack in the horse’s European debut. The 2003 Thoroughbred gelding struggled with some tension in the test but Martin was able to produce a solid performance. The Land Rover/USEF Eventing Competition Grant recipients are tied in 49th place with a score of 51.0.

“It’s my first time at Badminton so I’m very pleased to be here,” Martin said. “He gets a bit nervous, and I was probably too conservative in there, so he wouldn’t blow up, but I’m happy with him and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Libby Head (Talbotton, Ga.) had a respectable dressage test with her own Sir Rockstar in their first appearance at Badminton. The 1998 Thoroughbred gelding showed moments of tension but Head gave him a tactful ride to demonstrate some quality movements throughout their test. They sit in 73rd place with a score of 57.8.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing contender Michael Jung (GER) is leading the field with a score of 34.4 aboard La Biosthetique-Sam FBW. Emily King (GBR) and Brookleigh are a close second with a score 36.8, while Andreas Ostholt (GER) and So Is Et are in third on a score of 38.2.

Find out more about the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials CCI4* and watch live on feitv.org.

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