Pippa Funnell, whose successful defence of her European title in Pau last October clinched team gold for the British, heads the Mitsubishi Motors field at Badminton by a considerable margin after what she termed "possibly a best ever" dressage test from Supreme Rock, despite the handicap of damaged ankle ligaments from a cross-country fall less than three weeks ago.
Once again earning a perfect 10 from Irish judge Jean Mitchell for Supreme Rock's extended walk, Funnell now has six points in hand of Thursday's leader, Andrew Hoy, with the grey Darien Powers.
Rodney Powell, who missed the Sydney Olympics through breaking his ankle and then last year's Europeans when his horse injured a ligament behind its knee, is right in the hunt in third place with Flintstone. The Briton is just clear of Olympic champion Blyth Tait, the only other rider to score a 10 - although in his case two - with the talented Welton Envoy.
Eric Smiley is further down the field on Irish Patriot. A mark of 59.21 puts him in 60th, one place behind Virginia McGrath and The Yellow Earl, with Jane O'Flynn and Braveheart in 63rd.
Placings (after dressage) - 1, Britain's Supreme Rock (Pippa Funnell), 31.61 penalties; 2, Australia's Darien Powers (Andrew Hoy), 37.61; 3, Britain's Flintstone (Rodney Powell), 38.40; 4, New Zealand's Welton Envoy (Blyth Tait), 39.60; 5, France's Expo du Moulin (Arnaud Boiteau), 39.80; equal 6, Britain's King Solomon III (Mary King), Hatherden's Riverdance (Tristram Owers) and Tamarillo (William Fox-Pitt), 41.81; Irish placings - 59, The Yellow Earl (Virginia McGrath), 59.0; 60, Irish Patriot (Eric Smiley), 59.21; 63, Braveheart (Jane O'Flynn), 60.80.
