For the third time in four years, British leading lady rider Pippa Funnell dominated the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, leading from start to finish with Primmore’s Pride.

An inspiring dressage test put them at the top of the leaderboard on day one. Whilst collecting time penalties on the cross-country, the combination jumped clear to retain the lead. In the show jumping when it mattered most, the pair jumped another clear round to secure the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy and the £50,000 first prize.

While it was the first Badminton for Denise Lincoln’s 12-year-old Olympic Bronze medalist, the win marked Primmore's Pride's third four-star win--in 2003 he secured Funnell the Rolex Grand Slam when winning at Burghley.

A clear round by second-placed William Fox-Pitt and Tamarillo added to the pressure-–just one fence down would have knocked Funnell and ‘Kiri’ off top spot.

“I knew William would go clear,” said Funnell. “And while Kiri hung on my hand a couple of times, I didn’t have to worry too much as he is such a fantastic jumper. I am so lucky to have such amazing horses.”

Primmore’s Pride, by Mayhill, whose dam jumped to ninth place at Badminton 23 years ago, also collected prizes for his breeders Roger and Joanna Day.

Last year’s winners William Fox-Pitt and Tamarillo demonstrated their class jumping a faultless round to come in second. “Apart from being rather cheeky in the dressage, he has been brilliant, and I am so lucky to have him back in such great shape after Athens (where he injured a stifle)," said Fox-Pitt.

Australian Andrew Hoy gained his highest Badminton result; a clear round with Master Monarch moved him up to third place after his pupil Yoshiaki Oiwa and Voyou du Roc collected 12 jumping penalties to drop them down to a final 11th place.

The Japanese rider was close to tears in the collecting ring afterward-–not because of his jumping faults, but because he realized that this was the last time he would compete the 18-year-old Voyou du Roc.

The highest-placed American was Heidi White aboard Northern Spy in 10th place. Will Faudree aboard Antigua came in 22nd; Sara Kozumplik and As You Like It finished 37th.

Lord Killinghurst jumped clear for New Zealand veteran Andrew Nicholson to give him the new record for the largest number of completions. Andrew has ridden round the course 23 times--approximately 280 miles around Badminton park.

For official results and more, visit www.badminton-horse.co.uk.~~~