Its rare to see a top-level event horse being competed in a bitless bridle, but that is the way Laura Colletts fiery mare Bling likes it and so a hackamore it is.Laura explained that the mare always showjumps in this bridle, after finishing 14th at Mars Badminton Horse Trials this afternoon.Shes just really funny in her mouth. Shes very strong, so she gets a sore mouth [from the] cross-country, and if she has a bit in showjumping, she flicks her head and comes behind [the contact], said Laura.A hackamore works differently to a bridle with a bit. The noseband applies pressure to the horses nose, chin, and poll, rather than their mouth.Its something I tried once at home, and it works, so I stick with it, added Laura.The red mistBling is a 13-year-old mare who was bred by her owner, Yvonne Ferguson. She came to Laura in 2021, having been previously competed by Harry Dzenis. They finished 10th at Burghley last year.Laura explained after their dressage test on Friday that the mare can be tricky and when she sees red, the red mist comes, so they were escorted to the main arena by a hunt horse.Ive never been escorted up here before, but Ive seen other people do it and I thought, yeah, lets try that anything to make it safe, said Laura. I said to Tilly [Lauras travelling groom], that there arent many horses that scare me, but she does, because when she sees red, the red mist comes, and theres no thought process in what shes doing, and she bolts.Laura confirmed that Bling, a 16.3hh mare by Kannan, will now be aimed at Burghley in September.Its full steam ahead now for Burghley, she said.Laura is the reigning European champion and a dual Olympic team gold medallistfrom Tokyo and Paris with her best-known horse, London 52. It was on this horse that she won Badminton in 2022, plus five-stars Pau in 2020 and Luhmuhlen in 2023, as well as individual Olympic bronze at the Paris Olympics in 2024.Images by Tim WilkinsonThe post It works, so I stick with it: Laura Collett on showjumping her mare in bitless bridle appeared first on Your Horse.

We were treated to a historic result at the 2026 Mars Badminton Horse Trials when Lordships Graffalo became the first horse to be a three-time winner at this iconic five-star event. Here, we give you a full run down of the top 10 of this years Badminton 1. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo Ros and Walter (pictured top) led from start to finish, adding just two time-faults from the showjumping phase to their phenomenal 23.7 dressage. Im absolutely kind of stunned; it probably wont sink in for a bit, said Ros. Im just in awe of how he jumped today. It was probably one of the best rounds hes ever jumped, and probably one of the best rounds Ive ridden as well. 2. Tim Price and Falco New Zealands Tim Price had very little to worry about on the final day as Falco is such a phenomenal showjumper. The pair were only one of two who jumped clear inside the time on the final day the other combination being Germanys Arne Bergendahl and Luthien NRW, who finished 35th. Falco and Tim climbed from 10th to fifth to second after each of the three phases. Hes just so much fun we take all the horses for all of their qualities and he has his issues, but showjumping is not one of his, said Tim, who has been riding with a recently operated on shoulder injury. Today has been good fun. 3. Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner World number one Harry and this brilliant mare, who has finished fourth at Burghley twice, dropped one place in the final phase after having a fence down, plus .8 of a time-fault. Im delighted and I thought she jumped beautifully, said Harry, who yesterday confessed he has a real soft spot for this mare. She handled the cheers, the crowd, the atmosphere. She went round in a beautiful, soft way and jumped out of her skin, and the rail was very minor. I couldnt be happier. 4. Tom Jackson and United 36 United 36 is an incredibly exciting horse for the future this was his first five-star at just 10years old and he really impressed all week. Tom and United 36 were equal 20th after the dressage and jumped a brilliant clear round across country, picking up 3.6 time-faults before jumping clear today, adding just .4 of a time-fault. What a horse he has answered every question weve asked of him, every time, said Tom. Hes always been a good jumper, but hes had a rail in each of the CCI4*-Ls weve done and so weve worked really hard over the winter to get him as strong as possible and he felt good out there over a tough enough track. He really delivered. 5. Katie Magee and Treworra Katie and Wilf bettered their 11th place at this event in 2025 and climbed from 26th after the dressage into eventual fifth. They jumped a superb clear inside the time across country and then added four jumping faults today. He jumped brilliantly. I was a little nervous and he really looked after me, said Katie. He is an absolute superstar. I really love it at Badminton its horsey paradise. 6. Tayla Mason and Centennial British-based New Zealand rider Tayla was the biggest climber up the leaderboard this week. With her mother Sonyas home-bred 15-year-old Centennial, Tayla was 40th after the first phase, but thanks to a speedy clear inside the time across country and a clear jumping round today where they picked up just 1.6 time-faults they rocketed up to sixth. Weve been working hard on his showjumping and its taken a while, said Tayla. It takes a long time to get a horse to five-star level and then it takes a long time to establish to correct system and after all these years, I think Ive got a solid one now and its really exciting. Weve been working a lot on his gymnastic work to try and train a fifth leg like you would for cross-country, but actually it helps with the showjumping too. But its been a case of trial and error with the exercises, which is why it takes so long, as every horse is different. 7. Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza This speedy Frenchman and his equally speedy mare were another to benefit from a swift double clear cross-country round. They were 38th after dressage but finished cross-country day in equal 12th. They then picked up four jumping penalties today, but climbed another five places. She had a cracking round yesterday and recovered well and jumped well today and the fence down was more my fault than hers, said Gaspard. She really tried for me. 8. Felix Vogg and Cartania Swiss rider Felix endured something of a yo-yo week. They were fourth after dressage but then dropped to equal 10th following the cross-country owing to 7.2 time-faults. They then rose to eighth following the showjumping, where they incurred four jumping faults. Im really happy with her she was much more rideable today than she was yesterday, said Felix. I worked her a couple of times this morning, which definitely helped. 9. Benjamin Massie and Filao De Perle This French combination were 25th after the dressage and added 3.2 cross-country time-faults to put them into 12th before picking up 4.8 faults in the final phase to put them in ninth. He finished a little bit tired yesterday so Im pleased, but hes usually a good jumper, so Im a little bit disappointed, said Benjamin. 10. Sarah Bullimore and Corimiro Sarah and the very promising home-bred Corimiro, who at 10 years old was contesting his first five-star, put in a Stirling performance to round off the top 10. They jumped clear inside the time yesterday but added two fences down today, which Sarah was slightly disappointed about today given this horses excellent showjumping record. Im chuffed to bit with him, said Sarah. I mean, Im obviously disappointed as hes normally an amazing jumper but its all a learning curve. Hes 10, its his first time at this level and theres always next time and hes got a phenomenal future ahead of him. Images by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentRos Canter and Walter gallop into the history books with sensational third Badminton victoryIt works, so I stick with it: Laura Collett on showjumping her mare in bitless bridleChange of bit to prevent horse over-bending gives Emily King the best feeling so farNo teeth? No problem! Tim Prices Badminton ride is even more like a grandpa but as happy as everThe post One that will go down in history: the full 2026 Badminton Horse Trials top 10 appeared first on Your Horse.

Swiss rider Nadja Minder takes home the accolade of best first timer at Mars Badminton Horse Trials, piloting Toblerone (Choccy) who at 19 is the oldest horse in the field into 24th.Its a childhood dream come true. We have such a partnership, said Nadja, 26, who lives on her familys farm at Illnau in the Zurcher Oberland in south-east Switzerland.I was actually very confident going into the cross country. I dont think you have that very often. I didnt really feel nervous through the whole week. I was able to eat something on Saturday morning and slept well. That shows how much trust I have in him. Nadja has been riding the veteran horse since her young rider days, when his owner, Nicole Basieux, handed over the reins. The owner produced him to two-star level, and then asked me if I wanted to take over the ride, because Id retired my other young rider horse, said Nadja. Now being on this journey together, its just unreal. When you dont even try really, and you get to this point, its so cool.We had zero worries about his ageNadja described Choccy, who was groomed by her mother Therese at Badminton, as being incredibly smart and said there are currently no plans to retire him.I really need to see and feel how hes doioing. With him being 19, you dont want to push them over the edge, she said. But I mean, we had zero worries this week with him. So it feels unfair to say hes 19 and so he needs to to retire. He loves the job, and today he felt on springs.Nadja partly credited Choccys longevity to the fact he started eventing relatively late on in life, taking part in his first international event at the age of 11.As he started so late, he doesnt have the mileage of other 19-year-olds, she told Your Horse. He also doesnt need that much preparation as he is super-professional and I just can go from show to show, and do whats necessary.Nadja and Choccy were pathfinders at last years European Championships at Blenheim, where the Swiss team came fourth and they finished 19th individually.Nadja made her senior team debut at the 2022 world championships, also aboard Toblerone, and they were members of the fifth-placed Swiss team at the 2023 European Championships in France.Their best five-star result to date is 16th at Luhmuhlen last year, and 20th at Burghley in 2024.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentRos Canter and Walter gallop into the history books with sensational third Badminton victoryIt works, so I stick with it: Laura Collett on showjumping her mare in bitless bridleHome-bred who nearly died as a foal speeds to top end of the leaderboardThe post We had zero worries about his age: Oldest horse in the field finishes best of Badminton first timers appeared first on Your Horse.

The morning session of showjumping at the 2026 Mars Badminton Horse Trials is complete and the track, which is designed by Kelvin Bywater, has proved influential. There have been four jumping clears, with just one combination jumping clear inside the time allowed of 82 seconds. Germanys Arne Bergendahl and Luthien NRW (pictured top) are the only ones to have achieved that feat so far. Shes an amazing jumper and I have competed her in pure 1.40m level showjumping classes, said Arne. This is her second five-star clear round showjumping, so I was quite confident. This years showjumping track has become a talking point, with many riders saying that it is big, square and technical. New Zealands Jonelle Price jumped clear with Chillis Midnight Star, but added .4 of a time-fault to their overnight score of 44.3. Until the past couple of years, Badminton would have been one of the softer five-star showjumping tracks, said Jonelle. But its obviously on grass and you have the terrain to deal with in the arena its not flat at all. He [Kelvin] has been very clever with the use of terrain. The fences are very square and upright and the distances ride short when youre going downhill. Irelands Austin OConnor, who picked up 12 jumping faults, plus 2.4 time-faults in the final phase with Sixmilewater, said it is one of the biggest tracks hes seen at Badminton. Its as big a Badminton showjumping track as Ive ever seen, said Austin. Its quite technical and the distances vary from a little bit open to a little bit closed its a true five-star jumping track. David Doel jumped both of his rides, Ferro Point and Midnight Rollercoaster, in this mornings session. They both picked up eight jumping faults. The course is massive and technical, said David. Theres a lot of twists and turns, which takes it out of the horses a little bit with all the rollbacks too. They arent just 90 degree turns theyre 180 and 270 degree turns and youve got to keep the canter going all the time, which can be tricky on the final day. The USAs Cosby Green put in a beautiful round of jumping with the 18-year-old Jos Ufo De Quidam to jump clear, picking up .4 of a time fault. When I walked the track, I was pretty intimidated, so I was a little bit extra nervous, said Cosby. The oxers were square and I really had to focus on the rising and falling ground, but I thought it was a fantastic test. The afternoon session of showjumping gets underway at 2.45pm where the top 20 will jump in reverse order. Image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentFrom newborn nights to Badminton heights: Ros Canter gives all the credit to Walter for their cross-country clear A huge leaderboard shuffle and some incredible action: a full run down of the top 10 following Badminton Horse Trials cross-countryHome-bred who nearly died as a foal speeds to top end of the leaderboard I pumped milk to flatten me out and away I go: Ros Canter sails into the lead at BadmintonHome-bred who nearly died as a foal speeds to top end of the leaderboardHow to watch BadmintonWhen the red mist comes, she just bolts: Laura Collett on her complex mare, BlingThe post As big a Badminton showjumping as Ive ever seen: riders reflect on highly influential final phase track appeared first on Your Horse.

Emily King showjumped Valmy Biats in a different snaffle bit at Mars Badminton Horse Trials this morning to encourage the horse to lift his head and keep his neck out for a smoother round. Previously the horse has been inclined to come too round.Hes really receptive to [bit] action, whether its a little bit of a gag action or a curb, he rolls over [in his neck], said Emily. I wanted something that kept his poll neutral, and I could physically help his balance and keep his head still, rather than him curling and lifting and not actually waiting with his body.I was thinking in the warm-up about keeping his neck a bit longer and really helping his body balance. Quite often he jumps big and then hell plunge and land a bit lower with his head. It only makes it hard for himself, so that balance feeling was what I was really trying.It worked Emily confirmed that he felt the best hed ever felt.It was the best Badminton round hes jumped, she said. I was just trying it out, obviously Im not in a competitive position so its a good time. It felt much easier, so if when I really need to jump a clear round, I feel like that will help. Its the best feeling so far with that bit.A huge featEmily and Valmy will finish towards the bottom of the leaderboard this time, having picked up 40 jumping faults yesterday when they turned a circle between two combinations that were not separately numbered.That they are here and completed at all is some feat, considering that last month the rider punctured a lung in a fall during the showjumping warm-up on a different horse at Thoresby Eventing Spring Carnival.After her dressage test, Emily, whose mother Mary recently retired from competition riding, told Your Horse that she feels absolutely normal now and was ready to take on the biggest cross-country course there is.Rider are saying that todays showjumping track is big and square, too.I thought he [Valmy] jumped his socks off. He looked at the water tray and jumped a little flat over it, and then jumped so high going into the last double he just clipped the back bar coming down. But I was really pleased with them and theres lots to take back for next year.The undulations in there are ridiculous. The course-designer is testing us because hes placing things like oxers on the brow of a hump. And theyre so square theyre proper up to height, added Emily. The horses have to be so fresh and that is what was lovely, Valmy felt so on it. He just had a couple little mistakes, but the actual jump and the power was definitely all there.Hes so fit and healthy this morning, its ridiculous. Hes just like, hes hasnt done anything yesterday, which is so lovely to feel.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentA-Z guide to different horse bits plus expert fitting adviceA huge leaderboard shuffle and some incredible action: a full run down of the top 10 following Badminton Horse Trials cross-countryAs big a Badminton showjumping as Ive ever seen: riders reflect on highly influential final phase trackIm feeling absolutely normal now: Emily King ready for Badminton challengeEventing legend Mary King announces retirementThe post Change of bit to prevent horse over-bending gives Emily King the best feeling so far appeared first on Your Horse.

Well three weeks have passed since Ros Canter and Walter achieved their momentous victory. All of us that were lucky enough to be there that day, witnessed something very special. For those that are not aware, we had a Stevenson Brothers rocking horse on stand-by to present to Ros, should she win for the third time and I am so glad this came to fruition. The real Lordships Graffalo is now in production! Also, well done to all others that achieved a good result.The week got off to a great start with the LeMieux Grassroots Championships. The excitement and enthusiasm of all the competitors and their supporters rubs off on everyone and makes a wonderful curtain raiser for the week.Although the International event saw one of the smaller fields of recent years, it was high class field and no less of an exciting competition. We all observed some great horsemanship as the horses and athletes navigated Eric Winters cross-country course.As always, the weather plays such an important role. The forecast was not brilliant beforehand which made the good weather that arrived seem all the better. Mind you, for anyone at the Event on the Sunday, extra layers were definitely needed! All the work, put into the ground by the great team involved, paid off and then the bit of rain we had the weekend before gave us a helping hand.The Park is now clear the last of the Danco (who provide the majority of the tentage) lorries rolled out on Friday afternoon and now it is the turn of the RHS to prepare for their Flower Show at Badminton, which takes place from 8th to 12th July this will be a very good reason for a return to Badminton in July www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-badminton-flower-showEvery year we learn another lesson to keep trying to improve so the summer will be spent looking at suggestions, comments, etc. and seeing which we can implement for 2027. Although, it needs always to be remembered that the event takes place on a green field site and not all suggestions are incorporable!It goes without saying, how grateful we are in particular to MARS Equestrian but also all the other sponsors for their continued support, alongside all the contractors, tradestand, officials and volunteers without whom the event would be impossible to stage. Last but not lease a big thank you to all of you who supported the event in whatever way, either by attending, joining us via CMH TV or just following us via various channels.How lucky we were this year in so many ways. Heres to 2027 5th 9th May. I will be back with my blog in October!

Cross-country day is complete at the 2026 Mars Badminton Horse Trials (9 May), and what a day it was, with fabulous horse and rider combinations, and superb weather. There were 59 starters today and 45 of those completed the Eric Winter-designed track over 32 fences. Thirty-five competitors jumped clear with seven finishing inside the optimum time. Here, we give you a run down of the top 10 after todays cross-country action 1. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo Reigning Badminton and Burghley champions, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo (pictured top), put in a textbook round of jumping, making the track look like childs play. Ros was competing just 15 weeks after giving birth to her second child and her and Walter never looked to be in a hurry around the course, but finished comfortably within the optimum time they were the fastest round of the day, stopping the clock on 11min17sec, 13 seconds inside the time. I just feel so unbelievably lucky to have a horse who allows me to come out and do this level when Im maybe not at my best, believing that I can do it because Im on him, said Ros, whose daughter Seneh was born on 24 January. They hold the lead on their 23.7 dressage and are a whopping 6.6 penalties ahead of their nearest rivals. 2. Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner Harry and the second of his three rides, Annaghmore Valoner, were another pair to finish inside the time and this mare really impressed on her way around. They have climbed from 11th after the first phase to second and go into tomorrow on their 30.3 dressage. She was easy peasy I love her, said Harry. Ive always had a real soft spot for her, and I know this sounds a bit weird, but shes the only horse that I would happily inhale her exhale thats how much I love her and I wouldnt even say that about my wife! She was always highly strung, nervous, insecure, lacking confidence and slightly erratic, and shes done plenty of lobbing around events to get her breathing relaxed and its really paid off. Its just a shame the time wasnt 30 seconds tighter today! 3. Sarah Bullimore and Corimiro Sarah and this wonderful home-bred 10-year-old put in a fabulous round of jumping to complete on their 32.1 dressage. They have risen into third place from overnight 19th. He has such scope and such range and power. You can probably tell Im a little bit rose-tinted about him, but theres also a lot of other people that really quite like him too, said Sarah. My husband knows hes lower in the pecking order than him. 4. Katie Magee and Treworra Katie and the lovely 12-year-old Treworra finished 11th on their Badminton debut last year and they are set to better that performance following a clear round inside the time today to go into tomorrow on their 33.3 dressage (which had left them in 26th). He was just brilliant every step of the way, said Katie. He was with me, looking for the flags, and I wouldnt want to be riding any other horse. I even got to enjoy it! 5. Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint Irelands Lucy Latta is no stranger to Badminton having finished second here on RCA Patron Saint in 2024. The 29-year-old, who recently decided to take a career break from her full-time job working in marketing for a well-known soft drinks company, jumped a beautiful round with RCA Patron Saint today to pick up two-time faults, promoting them from 18th after the dressage into equal fifth on 33.9. Hes an incredible cross-country horse and Im so lucky to be sat on him, said Lucy. He really lives for days like this at these big events on the Saturday. Im actually a little bit frustrated with my self about the time-faults as he was full of running at the end, but I just needed to take the time at one or two points to fill his lungs. But he was incredible. 5. Tim Price and Falco New Zealands Tim Price is recovering from a recently broken collarbone and subsequent surgery, but he had a good round with 17-year-old Falco today. They were 10th after the dressage and added four time-faults to their first phase score of 33.9 and finished bang on the same time as Lucy Latta, meaning they are in equal fifth. That was a super round he has been quite a good four-and-a-half star horse before now, but he was fantastic today and jumped super and looked after me a couple of times, said Tim. 7. Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy Will and William have maintained seventh place after the dressage after jumping clear across country, adding 5.6 time-faults to their first phase score of 29.3. He pulls out the bag for me hes such a champ and Im so lucky to ride a horse like him, said Will. He loves to perform on a stage like this. Hes not the biggest jumper over the fences, so I know it doesnt always look pretty, but he will always just keep on galloping. We were really on our minute markers, but he just got tired in the last 30 seconds. Hes got so much trust in me and I have got so much trust in him, we have a great partnership and support each other where we can. 8. Lara De Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney DArville Belgiums Lara De Liedekerke-Meier and her wonderful home-bred mare, Hooney, were another to make Eric Winters Badminton track look easy. They picked up 6.4 time-faults to drop from third after the dressage into eighth on a score of 35. We had a scary moment at fence two when I had a forward shot and she drifted to the left and took out the decor on the jump, said Lara. I thought oh no! This is going to end early, but after that she was great. I rode my horse and not the results today. The course felt a little bit like the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, but everything was in front of you and I think the track was good today. 9. Tom Jackson and United 36 Tom and United 36, a 10-year-old gelding who is tackling his first five-star, put in a great clear round for 3.2 time-faults towards the start of cross-country day. They have climbed 11 places into ninth and sit on a score of 35.4. Its quite unbelievable for him to be here as this time last year, he hadnt even done a CCI4*-L, explained Tom. But he just ate the course up today and made it feel like hed been doing it for years. 10. Aaron Millar and Friendship VDL Aaron Millar and the lovely 16-year-old Friendship VDL put in a classy cross-country performance to stop the clock just one second over the time, adding .4 of a penalty to their 35.5 dressage to rocket them from 36th into equal 10th. I owe this all to my horse, said Aaron. He has only done two open intermediates this year which was the plan but Ive always believed in him but it was just a case of getting him here. 10. Felix Vogg and Cartania Switzerlands Felix Vogg and the feisty 15-year-old mare Cartania had a few worrying moments while tackling todays cross-country, but they finished clear jumping with 7.2 time-faults to slip from fourth after the dressage into equal 10th. She was a handful today and it was a lot of work, said Felix. I tried to prepare but she has her own opinion. Images by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentFrom newborn nights to Badminton heights: Ros Canter gives all the credit to Walter for their cross-country clear Home-bred who nearly died as a foal speeds to top end of the leaderboard I pumped milk to flatten me out and away I go: Ros Canter sails into the lead at BadmintonHome-bred who nearly died as a foal speeds to top end of the leaderboardHow to watch BadmintonWhen the red mist comes, she just bolts: Laura Collett on her complex mare, BlingThe post A huge leaderboard shuffle and some incredible action: a full run down of the top 10 following Badminton Horse Trials cross-country appeared first on Your Horse.

The Challenge Badminton Horse Trials TrophyTo the winning owners:Michele & Archie Saul for Lordships GraffaloMars Equestrian Yeti Cool BoxTo the winning rider: Rosalind CanterMars Equestrian and Spillers prize1,000 to the Groom of winner: Sarah CharnleyReplica of the TrophyTo the top three riders and the winning owner: Michele & Archie Saul, Rosalind Canter, Tim Price and Harry MeadeMark Holliday Memorial TrophyGroom of winner: Sarah CharnleyButler Challenge BowlWith replica ~ for the highest placed British rider: Rosalind CanterWorshipful Company of Saddlers1,000 saddlery voucher ~ Rider with the best score who is under 25 on 1/1/27 and who has not previously won a Company prize in the calendar year: Tom Bird riding Cowling Hot GossipSilver Jubilee PlateTo the most successful rider, the horse to be owned by the rider alone, or in conjunction with immediate family: Sam Watson for Ballyneety RocketmanLaurence Rook TrophyBest British rider not previously completed Badminton: Holly Richardson riding Ballyneety Silver ServiceGlentrool TrophyHorse & Rider who have made greatest improvement on their dressage placing: Tayla Mason and Centennial, up from 40th to 6thFrank Weldon Memorial TrophyRider of the youngest British owned and ridden horse in top 12: Tom Jackson for United 36Cotswold Life TrophyTo the best British rider who is not entitled to wear the adult Union Jack Badge and whose permanent address is in the county of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire or Somerset: Aaron Miller who finished 11th on Friendship VDLThe William Miflin Memorial TrophyTo the rider of the horse with no cross-country jumping penalties and closest to optimum time: Sarah Bullimore with Corimiro who finished one second inside the timeSport Horse Breeding of Great BritainOwner of best horse sired by a SHB(GB) Graded Stallion or Premium Stallion, provided it is in the top 12: Michele & Archie Saul for Lordships GraffaloFarriers PrizePlaque to the owner and farrier of the best shod horse: Jim Bendon for Tom Bird, Helen Kerry and Fran Birds Cowling Hot Gossip.Stud Voucher500 ~ Owner of the highest placed British owned mare: Stephen & Dinah Posford and Jules Carter for Annaghmore ValonerDavid Beaufort Memorial TrophyTo the person who has contributed to the running of the Horse Trials over many years: Caroline Bromley Gardener who has done the cross-country fence illustrations at Badminton since 1968Embryo Transfer or OPU sessionTo the highest placed British bred or domiciled mare, courtesy of Tomlinson Equine: Annaghmore ValonerBreeder of the winnerLordships Stud/Pennie WallaceArmada Dishes~ Sarah Ennis, Georgie Goss, Harry Meade, Tom Rowland, Joseph Murphy

I love cross-country now! declared Fiona Kashell after bringing Creevagh Silver De Haar home clear at Mars Badminton Horse Trials.Its the opposite of what she said yesterday I hate cross-country! but this afternoons perspective is considerably different.I still agree that the time that you enjoy it versus the time that you dont dread it the dreading outweighs the enjoyment. But I had a great spin and he was amazing.Fiona explained that she has always had a tricky relationship with cross-country riding because it makes her nervous not the idea of jumping large obstacles, but the thought of it going wrong.I get really nervous. I dont mind jumping the big fences, that doesnt bother me, its the silly whoopsies, silly mistakes, especially when everyones come to watch you, said Fiona, who runs a livery yard, Pond Equestrian, with around 60 horses to look after in Surrey and has a six-year-old son called Ethan.Ive always hated it [cross-country]. Everyone says, oh, its because youve had a child, but I didnt like it much before either.She did confess to enjoying a recent round aboard a young horse that was last weekend at Littleton Manor and the fences were only 80cm high.I really enjoyed that, laughed Fiona. I was in the lead after dressage, but because I was producing a young horse, I got 22 time-penalties and I had the best time ever. That was probably my most enjoyable cross-country round of the year to date!First five-star at the age of 40The grey Creevagh Silver De Haar is 18 now and the pair are seeking their third Badminton completion, after finishing 35th last year (when she learned the wrong dressage test) and 50th on their debut in 2022.I only went around my first five-star on him in 2022, and Ive been doing this [eventing] a long time, so to get to 40 and then to be doing your first five-star, its a long time coming, said Fiona.Ive just been so grateful to be here and to get round. Today I thought Im going to push a bit more on the time and he just stayed with me. He was so rideable, full of running. Thats credit to Amy Lovett at home, because shes done all his fitness work. At the last birch rails [Savills Keepers Rails, fence 30abc), [my plan was] to straighten up because hell be tired, but he was so full of running I took it on a complete angle.Main image Tim WilkinsonRelated contentFrom newborn nights to Badminton heights: Ros Canter gives all the credit to Walter for their cross-country clearHome-bred who nearly died as a foal speeds to top end of the leaderboardHow to watch BadmintonNo teeth? No problem! Tim Prices Badminton ride is even more like a grandpa but as happy as everThe post I love cross-country now!: Fiona Kashels Badminton u-turn on 18-year-old horse appeared first on Your Horse.

It probably wouldnt have looked so good if I wasnt sitting on Walter! These were the unassuming words of Ros Canter who is competing here just 15 weeks after giving birth to a baby girl she is exclusively breastfeeding after a masterful cross-country clear at Mars Badminton Horse Trials aboard Lordships Graffalo. I just feel so unbelievably lucky to have a horse who allows me to come out and do this level when Im maybe not at my best, believing that I can do it because Im on him, said Ros, whose daughter Seneh was born on 24th January.Its been busy this week, having a baby and breastfeeding and all that too. Today I woke up and I thought, You know what, Ros? Just try and believe that even if you dont put quite so much time into the things you normally do, that you can still do it, that youve still got it and he [Walter] just helped me all the time.I havent been fast properly yet this yearThe exceptional combination have maintained their top place on the leaderboard, putting them in the hunt for a third victory here. There is a lot of pressure going around on a horse like that. Even coming to the last fence, I was like, please dont mess it up, but hes just an absolute legend, isnt he? said Ros.Hes the most amazing cross-country horse in the way he looks for his fences, but he lets me ride how I need to ride, and he gives himself every chance to clear the jumps.It never [feels easy] when youre out there, and there is pressure not only around riding Walter, because of what he does and what he can do. I havent been fast yet properly this year, other than a random intermediate where I still didnt make the time, so there was pressure from that side today as well. Ros was also full of praise for her family and support team, which includes groom Sarah Charnley.I didnt even sit on Walter until the end of February, it was my team who did all the fittening work, said Ros. Just before and just after youve had a baby, youre just not there, and I trusted them completely.Held at the startRos and Walter were held at the start while the previous rider, Luc Chateau, was attended to following a fall from Viens Du Mont. The Frenchman eventually walked off the course alongside medics and the horse was seen galloping away from the fence.Walter just settled down and wandered around. I was a little bit concerned that he settled down too much, because hes so comfortable with crowds and he was just quite happy hed have wandered around there all day. Then I picked up canter, gave him a little niggle with my leg, and he responded by pricking his ears, so I thought well just go with it.Ros added that she is very privileged to ride a horse like Walter, because he gives me time to set up, even for the normal fences. Im able to give him the best version of myself, because he allows me too.Related contentI pumped milk to flatten me out and away I go: Ros Canter sails into the lead at BadmintonHome-bred who nearly died as a foal speeds to top end of the leaderboardHow to watch BadmintonWhen the red mist comes, she just bolts: Laura Collett on her complex mare, BlingThe post From newborn nights to Badminton heights: Ros Canter gives all the credit to Walter for their cross-country clear appeared first on Your Horse.