British rider Emily Baldwin and Drivetime have set a new standard in the dressage arena and the pair are currently lying top of the leaderboard at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials on a score of 42.3.

Emily, 28, from Lamberhurst in Kent put in a poised and polished test with Lady Pauline Harris's 13-year-old, gaining an average mark of 71.78% and a high of 75% from Irish judge Eric Smiley at H.

“I was hoping for a good start as Drivetime is normally well-behaved,” said Emily, who trains with grand prix dressage rider Andrew Gould. “Because he is usually reliable in dressage it also means that there is that bit more pressure to do well, but I am lucky to be able to enjoy this part of the competition more than a lot of competitors.”

Drivetime is a Dutch-bred gelding by Rolls Royce, a son of the influential Dutch show jumping sire Concorde. Not surprisingly, Drivetime started his competitive career as a show jumper before being produced for eventing by Terry Boon.

Emily acquired Drivetime four years ago and last year gained her first Badminton completion with him – albeit with a refusal at the lake. “There are plenty of places for mistakes again this year – you’ve really got to concentrate all the way round – and there are not many let up fences,” said Emily, who with Drivetime coincidentally graces the front cover of ‘Badminton Revisited’ – the new book by Julian Seaman that celebrates Badminton’s diamond jubilee.

Second spot is occupied overnight by dressage specialist Ruth Edge and Mayhem III on a score of 43.8, with Jo May and Faere Vision in third with 46.7.