Todd Takes the Lead at Badminton

Mark Todd aboard NZB Land Vision have taken the lead at the Badminton Horse Trials in the UK after a stunning cross country ride in the early hours of the morning (NZ time).

Todd went clear, just picking up 6.8 time penalties, giving him a 0.2 point buffer ahead of Marina Kohncke (Germany) on Calma Schelly.

Andrew Nicholson and Nereo are in fourth spot, just 0.7 points behind Todd, with Caroline Powell and Lenamore and Nicholson on Avebury are in 10th and 11th spots, just 3.6 points behind the leader. All three combinations went clear inside time.

Eighty combinations started the cross country, which covered 6422 metres and included 30 obstacles, with just 60 posting scores – 12 were eliminated over the course, with six retiring.

There is nothing in it as the top combinations head into the showjumping phase tonight (NZ time).

Todd already had three Badminton titles to his credit and looks well on track to add to the trophy cabinet, but with points so tight over the top 12 there is simply no room for error.