Equestrian: Daisy Springs Along to third at Badminton (From Gazette Series)

Report and reaction from the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

9:08am Thursday 6th May 2010 in Sport By Jayne Bennett

OLYMPIC eventer Daisy Berkeley (nee Dick) has proven just how much Gloucestershire life is suiting her, by coming third in last weekend’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Daisy, who married Charles Berkeley last September, has relocated to the shadow’s of Berkeley Castle from her former home in Reading.

Riding 17-year-old Spring Along, she rose through the ranks over the course of the weekend, despite the torrential downpour on Sunday, to spring ahead of fellow British team member Mary King in Monday’s show-jumping.

Berkeley, whose score of 48 put her in 25th place after the dressage, flew around the cross-country with just 2.4 time faults to take her up to sixth place.

However, a stunning clear in windy conditions ensured another podium position for our Olympic team bronze medal winner and her highest finish in a prestigious four-star event, behind eventual winner Paul Tapner (Australia) and second place Andreas Dibowski (Germany).

“I’ve always known it was in the horse,” said Berkeley.

“He had some big wins last year, and he has been better than ever - he’s like a fine wine.

“I knew he could do it. He finds Badminton quite exciting, and it was just a case of whether or not the nerves would get to him.

“But I was thrilled with how he jumped. He was great in the cross-country yesterday, and he felt fabulous today”

Winner Tapner, who is based at Highworth, rode superb clears over Sunday’s cross-country and Monday’s show-jumping courses, leaving him with a score of 44.9 and a first prize of £60,000 - as well as the prestigious Badminton title - for his efforts.

Finishing in 11th place after his dressage test, he picked up just 0.4 time penalties on Sunday’s cross-country and showed no nerves on Monday’s show-jumping to jump clear - five points ahead of second place rider, Germany’s Andreas Dibowski.

Tapner, who grew up in Sydney but who has been based in the UK since 2003, becomes Australia’s third Badminton champion of the past five years, following Andrew Hoy in 2006 and Lucinda Fredericks a year later.

His other horse, Stormhill Michael, also jumped clear to finish tenth.

“This means everything,” he said.

“Every second of this year has been focused on this moment.

“This is the biggest and best event, and you just want to be here. It can’t get much better than this.”

Nick Gauntlett, who has his yard in Chipping Sodbury, narrowly missed out on a top 20 place but was nonetheless delighted with his performance, eventually finishing 21st on Chapel Amble and 33rd riding Rocket Science - one place above last weekend’s Lexington winner William Fox-Pitt riding Macchiato.

Gauntlett was clearly overjoyed by the black mare’s performance on Monday, thumping the air and giving the delighted crowds a lap of honour following his show jumping clear.

Chapel Ambel was also first to complete Sunday’s cross-country test, following Dan Jocelyn’s elimination, and Gauntlett was able to report back on the situation at Colt Pond, which had been a cause of much speculation prior to the event.

“I just saw a line and went for it. The course actually rode really well, despite the last minute changes,” said Gauntlett.

“It was a brilliant ride.

“She’s a lovely mare and this was her first try at this (4*) level, so it was a big ask, but she rose to the challenge.

“I’ve brought her on from 2* level and it’s been lots of fun.

Reigning world champion Zara Phillips had less success, however, collecting 24 jumping and seven time faults to finish in 48th place on Glenbuck.

“He didn’t showjump well enough,” she said.

“I can’t do anything about it if he doesn’t help me out as well.”