Emily Baldwin (GBR) and Drivetime produced an assured and expressive test to deservedly take the lead with 42.3 penalties after the first day of dressage at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™.

Baldwin, 28, who finished 25th last year, has 1.5 penalties in hand over the British National Champions Ruth Edge and Mayhem lll, well known as talented exponents of the dressage phase, who scored 43.8. Drivetime, who is Dutch-bred on show jumping lines, started his competitive career as a show jumper before switching to eventing with British rider Terry Boon. Emily took over the ride on him four years ago.

British rider Jo May lies third on her own Faere Vision with a dressage mark of 46.7. Faere Vision is May’s only ride at the top level, and the pair finished fourth at the Luhmuhlen four-star event in 2007. Just behind them in fourth is former Badminton winner Rodney Powell, riding Zin Zan , on 48. William Fox-Pitt, winner of the 2008 HSBC FEI Classics™, is lying eighth on Macchiato with a score of 51.8.

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