from: Horsetalk.co.nz (dated 28 May 2010)
British riders hold the top four places so far, with Oliver Townend and the Irish-bred grey gelding Ashdale Cruise Master in the front with 44.8 penalties. Second is Mary King on Apache Sauce (47.0), followed by Lucy Wiegersma and Granntevka Prince (48.8), and Zara Phillips on High Kingdom (49.0).
Nicholson, on 50.0 penalties, is the sole New Zealand entrant in the World Cup event. Best of the Irish in the World Cup Qualifier is Suzanne Jordan in sixth place with Carneyhaugh Conquistador on 53 penalties, while defending champion Patricia Ryan from Bandon is in 12th position with the Irish-bred Fernhill Clover Mist on 56.0.
With all 24 competitors now finished with the dressage test, there will be a rest day on Friday, with the competition resuming on Saturday with the cross-country phase, followed by show jumping on Sunday.
Patricia Ryan and husband Michael, who scored a memorable one-two last year, have been based in England this spring, but will be doing their best to keep victory at Tattersalls, their country's showpiece event, in Irish hands for the third year running.
Patricia withdrew her Olympic horse and Tattersalls winner Fernhill Clover Mist after the dressage at Badminton and promises: "He is fighting fit and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."
There are 14 other Irish riders in the field, including the very experienced Susan Shortt on Imperative. But the home side faces determined competition from five riders who already have HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing points from Chatsworth a fortnight ago and will be keen to enhance their chances of sharing the $US180,000 prize fund that goes to the leading 15 riders in the series.
As well as the veteran four-star horse Apache Sauce, Mary King has also ridden her home-bred mare Kings Temptress into seventh place.
British riders relish coming to Tattersalls, home of the premier bloodstock sales, where the US-based British course designer Hugh Lochore always has a proper old-fashioned galloping track with lovely big hedges in store.
"It's one of the best events in the world," says Mary King. "All of us enjoy competing here because the facilities are so superb and the hospitality is second to none!"
In the two-star class, Ireland's Sam Watson and the Irish-bred Hoyo are the overnight leaders. Only 32 of the 57 competitors in the two-star competition have now completed dressage, so the test will continue through Friday. Andrew Nicholson and Qwanza are ninth so far, and he rides Quimbo today.
Nicholson also has Viscount George in the one-star class.