Joseph Murphy the leading Irish rider after opening day at Badminton International Horse Trials – Irish Sport Horses well-placed

The world famous Badminton International Horse Trials got underway today (Thursday) in South Gloucestershire, England, with Westmeath’s Joseph Murphy the leading Irish rider so far with Cesar V after the opening day of Dressage. Fresh from an impressive top 10 finish last weekend at the five-star Kentucky Horse Trials in the USA, Murphy lies in 17th place on a score of 31.5  with 41 competitors having gone so far.

Ireland’s Joseph Murphy with Cesar V in action at the 2022 Badminton Horse Trials (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

Tipperary’s Padraig McCarthy and Fallulah are just one place further back in 18th on 31.7 while Galway’s Cathal Daniels is also inside the top 20 with Barrichello on a score of 32.7.

Swallow Springs is the highest-placed Irish Sport Horse in equal fifth place with Oliver Townend (GBR) on a score of 25.7, while another Irish Sport Horse, Vanir Kamira, is on the same score with Piggy March (GBR).

The Irish Sport Horse Swallow Springs is the highest-placed Irish Sport Horse in equal fifth place (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

With half of the field still to complete their Dressage tests on Friday, Britain’s Tom McEwen is the overnight leader with Toledo De Kerser on a score of 23.4. Tickets for Saturday’s Cross Country phase at Badminton have already sold out, with the new Badminton Champion set to be crowned following Sunday’s final Show Jumping phase.

Latest scores from Badminton available HERE