IRISH Olympic three-day eventer Austin O'Connor and his top ride Hobby Du Mee are enjoying a good run-up to their first crack together at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI**** three-day event from May 3 until 6.

Badminton, staged over the Duke of Beaufort's Gloucestershire parkland since 1949, is the world's most famous three-day event and a supreme challenge for both horse and rider.

This year, 150 horses entered and, with just 100 places on offer, many were left disappointed.

O'Connor, based at Lincomb Equestrian Centre, Stourport, gained a place with the 16.2hh chestnut Hobby Du Mee, a horse he started riding last year for Isle of Man owners Sue and Eddie Davies.

The pair ended last season with sixth place at the Kreuth CCI*** three-day event and look to have started 2007 in similarly impressive style.

They had their first run at the Witton Castle one-day event in County Durham, where they finished fourth in an advanced section packed with leading riders.

"As this was Hobby Du Mee's first run of the season I was really pleased," said O'Connor, who was fourth at Badminton in 1999 on Simply Rhett.

"He jumped really well and Witton Castle was a great event. You are guaranteed good ground there and it's an Ian Stark-designed course so a good, galloping track that the horses enjoy."

The pair now contest the CIC World Cup qualifier at the Burnham Market International one-day event in Norfolk this month, where they will hope their fault-free Badminton preparation continues.

O'Connor was also runner-up in an open intermediate section at Witton Castle on Sally and William Schouten's 10-year-old Thoroughbred Pocket Rocket III, who jumped a "pleasing" double clear and now competes in an advanced section at Burnham Market.

"I was also sixth in an intermediate section on Kate Jarvey's mare Lily of the West," added O'Connor.

This is her first proper season and she's still learning, but has the right attitude and we think a lot of her. She will stay at this level for a while until she's gained a bit more experience."