Jonelle Price new leader at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

Jonelle Price has rocketed from 22nd place after the dressage to take the lead at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials with the fastest cross-country round of the day.

Jonelle finished just one second over the optimum despite a heart-stopping moment in the Lake (fence 9abc) when Classic Moet got too close to the brush and twisted in the air.

“I was a bit rusty and too strong – it was my fault – so we had to abort,” said Jonelle, who had time off last year after having her first child, Otis. “I had been up on the clock until then and we were then 12-15 seconds down, so as soon as we were through the Shogun Hollow, I thought ‘Let’s go’.

“She’s some mare, so un-special that she’s special, and she makes me look good. When I first got her, as a 10-year-old, I didn’t think she had enough scope, but she’s your best friend.”

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