Equestrianism: Funnell leads as rivals slip

Pippa Funnell, the reigning champion, remains on target to win the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials for the second successive time, riding her premier horse Supreme Rock.

Hardly drawing breath from a brilliant victory at Lexington, Kentucky last weekend with Primmore's Pride, Funnell, 34, never looked in danger. The pressure was on, as rain saw conditions deteriorate. Despite two time penalties on the steeplechase (possibly to be removed on appeal), Funnell has two mistakes in hand going into today's show jumping phase over the Finnish rider Piia Pantsu riding Ypaja Karuso, who is on her first attempt at this most testing of three-day events.

Third in the World Championships last year in Jerez, Pantsu took all the direct routes on her 10-year-old and she is just ahead of the more experienced contenders Janette Brakewell with her British team horse Over To You, Funnell again on her first ride Cornerman and Andrew Nicholson (New Zealand) with Mr Smiffy.

The riders' apprehension beforehand seemed mostly unfounded when four of the first five starters were clear and quick. But early riders had the best of conditions, as steady rain made the ground slippery. The art of survival was demonstrated by brilliant, bold riding but falls were inevitable. Karen Dixon, riding Uptotrix, Sweden's Anna Hasso and Vicky Brake all went to hospital, while the American Bruce Davidson fell twice with Apparition. The Huntsman's Close, with its tight turns proved influential, and the lake caused even more trouble, but the Carisma Puzzle (fence 22) was the most dreaded obstacle. It proved jumpable though risky until it deteriorated and was removed. Conditions had taken their toll in a dramatic day.