The reigning European Champions, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, have slotted into second place after the first session of dressage at Mars Badminton Horse Trials today (9 May).Ros and Walter, who helped Britain to team gold at the Paris Olympics last year and went on to win Burghley CCI5* a few weeks later, pulled off a customary stylish test marred only by mistakes in two flying changes, worth double marks, which attracted several 4s from the judges.I was really pleased with it actually, said Ros of their test. I got a little bit distracted at the beginning because he started sneezing, which isnt always a good sign, but he then settled and he was great. The changes have always been been something hes struggled with and I probably didnt help him quite enough in those. I think I thought he was more established than he is, so thats my fault, hands in the air for that one he was amazing.Ros added that Walter enjoys competing in front of a big crowd. They won here in 2023 and were second in 2022.He loves it. He never really gets rattled by noise and the clapping and things like that, she said. Its just a hard movement [the flying changes] for me to practice with him because once he knows theyre there he almost drops the contact and I cant ride him up.On social media looking chubbyWalter has been in work since December, following a long holiday after his Burghley win in September.He had time out getting fluffy and enjoying his holidays and then he came in end of December time and did a good month of hacking. He didnt really start to do anything exciting until February, said Ros. The inner me wants to train all the time, so Ive tried to keep that at bay a little bit and give him the time that he needs. I mean he knows his job now hes an absolute professional. There was a very hairy picture of him on social media looking pretty chubby. Its amazing how once he knows Badmintons on the card he strips himself up. He knows how to get himself ready!A privilege to ride across countryRos added that she has walked the Eric Winter-designed cross-country track and has nearly got a plan in place for her round tomorrow.Walters not a huge fan of jumping things with things over the top of them and theres quite a few of those so that will be a bit more of a challenge for us, she said. But Ive got every faith in the horse. Hes a privilege to ride across country and I just hope that I can do him justice.Related contentAll the latest news from BadmintonHow to watch Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2025Badminton app is relaunched with new interactive featuresThe post Ros Canter slots into second at Badminton after expensive mistake in the flying changes appeared first on Your Horse.

Please find, below information around the 2025 Youth High Performance dressage squads, code of conduct, social media policy, anti-doping and the programme structure for 2025. HP Youth dressage Squads 2025 HP Youth dressage programme structure 2025 HSI code of conduct athletes Horse Sport Ireland social media policy 2025 HSI medication equine anti-doping

First sessionEmma Thomas/Icarus (46.9 ): Well, it was better than last year we got through it. One of the pirouettes and the [flying] changes were OK; hes getting better. He sees the cross-country fences and gets a bit anxious.Ian Cassells/Master Point (30.7 ): Its amazing to be here. Master Point is not the most extravagant and can be a bit downhill but he tried his hardest and allowed me to ride him.Christoph Wahler/DAccord 70 (32.2): It was good. The course is quite big.Ros Canter/Lordships Graffalo (25.3) Ros scored the first 10 of the event: Hes getting stronger all the time. Hes always struggled a bit with the [flying] changes, but the mistakes were my fault. He loves the atmosphere.Susie Berry/Clever Trick (36.5): Id have taken that score yesterday. The trot work was beautiful. There will be plenty to jump tomorrow.Kate Rocher-Smith/Dassett Select (33.1): That was good for where hes at, its a brilliant mark for him. Hes naturally a hot horse and took a deep breath as he went up the centre line, which is progress.

The cream of British sport horse breeding will be showcased today when the stallion parade, sponsored by Tattersalls, takes place in the main arena immediately after the end of the dressage phase.The Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain display features 12 magnificent stallions, including two sons of the only stallion to have won Badminton, Chilli Morning: Just Chillin and Pencos Arctic King, who is out of a Rock King mare Rock King was competed at Badminton by Sarah Bullen.Another stallion with a great five-star pedigree is Les Prince des Bois (by the French team horse Yarland Summersong, placed at Badminton with Marie-Christine Duroy), who was competed at toplevel by German rider Kai Ruder.Also parading are Future Guilty Pleasure, Comfort, Chacco Volo, Diamant de Heraldik, Langaller Starmaker, Fensston Bentley, Incognito and, from Catherston Stud, Timolin and Catherston Tuxedo.

Full-time business development specialist Libby Seed is chasing her third consecutive Mars Badminton Horse Trials completion aboard Heartbreaker Star Quality.The former Exeter University student, 27, explained how she has been working on going faster across country in order to be more competitive this time.Fitness is a big part of it for the horse, but I watch a lot of videos. Its amazing what you can learn from watching other people, said Libby.Tonight, before I go to sleep, Ill watch the fastest riders just to make sure that [I can] channel that. Its like anything, if you want to get better, you watch someone thats better than you and work towards [doing] what theyre doing. Libby added that the late Caroline Moore was a big influence in this training, as has Ros Canter.Ros did a webinar about how she learned to go faster. She said she cant go fast unless she feels safe and she needed to have the gears, so Ive really worked on having my gears, explained Libby. Watching other really fast riders like Harry Meade one of the fastest riders in the world at the moment Ill go and watch his Kentucky rounds and how smooth he is and really think about my preparation points on the [cross-country] course and how I can keep traveling.As a working rider with a limited number of riding and competing hours, Libby explained that practising her new technique happens at the lower levels too.Im going around Moreton Morrell BE100 like, right, practice the body position, going down, going up, and my babies are like, Im just trying to stay on my feet, she said with a smile.Its a juggling actLibby works for the US company Boston Scientific selling medical devices.She has five horses at home in Chippenham, three to compete and two youngsters who are about to start their ridden careers.Its a juggling act and my mums very supportive, said Libby, who trains with Richard Waygood. Its tough trying to balance time and everything is always difficult, but if you want to do it, you do it.Heartbreaker Star Qualityis owned by Libbys parents, Lesley and Jonathan Seed.I got sent her as a six-year-old to sell and she jumped like a stag so we decided to buy her, said Libby. She was pretty feral as a young horse couldnt walk anywhere, was screaming all the time at anything and everything that looked like a horse. Shes like a pet at home and when she comes to a party and knows that shes the centre of attention, she loves it.Libby has bred from the mare and has a six-year-old who was born by embryo transfer at home. She also has two other young homebreds in the pipeline.Related contentAll the latest news from BadmintonHow to watch Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2025Five gears a good cross-country horse needs to haveRichard Waygoods cavaletti exercisesThe post How working rider is learning to be quicker cross-country for a more competitive run at Badminton appeared first on Your Horse.

Topic Key Points The Rise of Equine Obesity Obesity in horses is a significant health issue. Linked to risks such as laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, and joint strain. Feeding Guidelines 1.5% of current body weight in forage per day. 2% of target (ideal) body weight in forage per day. Are Recommendations Adequate? Easy keepers may consume more than 2% body weight; require tailored feeding. Over-Restricting Forage Risks include hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and undesirable behaviors. Tips for Managing Equine Weight Monitor body condition. Opt for moderate quality hay. Regulate hay intake. Increase exercise. Supplement smartly. Importance of Exercise Essential for health; moderate exercise stabilizes fitness and metabolic rate. Conclusion Tailor feeding and exercise to individual horse needs to prevent obesity. Are Current Recommended Horse Feed Amounts Fueling Obesity in Horses? In today's equestrian world, obesity in horses presents a significant health concern, raising questions and eyebrows alike. With more horses becoming "easy keepers" or classified as obese, horse lovers and owners are starting to question: Could the recommended feeding guidelines be adding to the problem? This blog delves into current feeding practices, the dangers of excess weight, and how to find the perfect balance for your horses well-being. The Rise of Equine Obesity While a chubby pony might look charming, obesity isn't only a cosmetic issue. It threatens the health and livelihood of horses, heightening risks for conditions like laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, and potential joint strain. Diet, especially the quantity and type of feed, plays a pivotal role in this trend, alongside other factors. Understanding the Feeding Guidelines When it comes to feeding horses and ponies, two conventional strategies are suggested: 1.5% of Current Body Weight: Many experts recommend feeding forage at this percentage of a horses current weight per day. 2% of Target Body Weight: Aiming for the target or ideal body weight, especially crucial for overweight horses. Let's illustrate with a 14-hand Welsh pony weighing 850 pounds. According to the 1.5% rule, it would need about 13 pounds of hay per day. However, using the 2% guideline for a target weight of 750 pounds, the recommendation would be approximately 15 pounds of hay daily (source). Are These Recommendations Adequate? While these measures offer a decent starting ground, they might fall short for "easy keepers" who thrive on fewer calories. Studies highlight the propensity of ponies to consume up to 5% of their body weight in dry matter daily if unhindereda stark contrast to the typical 2% intake guide (source). A Cautionary Frog March: The Perils of Over-Restricting Forage Reducing forage intake drasticallybelow 1.5% of their weightcould be detrimental, leading to health issues like hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and undesirable behaviors, such as wood chewing. Keeping a horses nutrition balanced is a delicate dance; radical measures, like starvation diets, can cause more harm than good (source). Handy Tips for Managing Equine Weight Monitor Body Condition: Periodically check your horse's weight and condition. Engage your veterinarian for regular guidance. Opt for Moderate Quality Hay: Choose low-calorie grass hay and limit access to lush pastures. Regulate Hay Intake: Utilize slow feeders or hay nets with small holes to mimic natural grazing patterns. Increase Exercise: Balance dietary changes with consistent physical activity to manage weight better. Supplement Smartly: Providing balanced vitamins and minerals can ensure nutritional adequacy when hay quality isnt optimal. Why Exercise is More Than Just a Trot in the Park A fitness regime is essential in maintaining a horses health. Even modest forms of exercise, like groundwork or walking, can substantially impact a horse's fitness and metabolic stability. They say, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," but when it comes to horses, it's more like "A good run a day keeps the vet away!" The Blame Game: Are Feeding Guidelines the Culprit? The actual issue isn't necessarily with the guidelines themselves but how adaptably they're applied. Every horse, just like every human, has unique dietary and nutritional needs. One-size-fits-all Recommendations might yield a "hasty pudding" solution to a persistent dilemma. Conclusion: A Call for a Tailored Approach To sum it all up, the solution isn't about scrapping the current feeding norms but knowing a horse's individual needs and customizing their diet and exercise regimen accordingly. By closely monitoring weight, adjusting forage as needed, and incorporating exercise, horse owners can stave off obesity and provide the best health care for their majestic companions. For a curated collection of horse riding essentials, from jodhpurs to stable rugs, don't miss out on the finest Jodhpur Collection and other equestrian needs at Just Horse Riders.```html```

Tom McEwen, who performed his dressage test yesterday afternoon, still heads the leaderboard at MARS Badminton Horse Trials with a score of 22.4, although his Olympic team mate, Ros Canter on Lordships Graffalo, has inched closer, on 25.3.The next five places Emily King, Tom Woodward, Yasmin Ingham, Oliver Townend and Gemma Stevens remain unchanged, with Irelands Georgie Goss (Feloupe) and Switzerlands Felix Vogg (Cartania) both scoring under 30 penalties to lie in eighth and ninth places.Lordships Graffalo looked as magnificent as ever, but Ross chances of taking over the lead were dashed by mistakes in both flying changes.Hes always struggled a bit with the [flying] changes, but the mistakes were my fault. He loves the atmosphere here and is getting stronger all the time, Ros said after her test.Atmosphere is building ahead of the potential for some high-scoring tests to come this afternoon from the likes of two-horse riders Oliver Townend on his Kentucky winner Cooley Rosalent, Gemma Stevens on Jalapeno and Tim Price with Vitali.

Austrias Harald Ambros, a full-time dentist, has been riding Vitorio Du Montet before work at 5.30am in order to prepare for Mars Badminton Horse Trials.The 45-year-old father of two last rode here in 2007, when he finished 18th aboard Miss Ferrari. The last six weeks have been really hard, because I did the training in the morning at half past five before starting work at half past seven, said Harald. Some days [I work] up to five oclock in the evening and then start training again.Vitorio Du Montet was produced to five-star level by French rider Maxime Livio and they were fifth at Pau in 2021. Harald bought the horse two years ago from Czech rider Eliska Opravilova and he rode the 16-year-old Selle Francais gelding at the Paris Olympic Games.He is bidding for a ticket to the European Championships at Blenheim later this year. I know Blenheim because I did the Europeans [there] 20 years ago, said Harald. I know its very uphill and very strong, so I said Vitorio is a good horse, he can do five-star and he can do Badminton. Its flatter [than Blenheim] and not so uphill. I made the decision and I started training in February.Back at BadmintonHarald has been a member of 12 Austrian teams at Olympics, Worlds and Europeans. His first team call up was in 2001, when he won individual gold at the young rider championships. The rider noted that the direction of this years cross-country course is the same as when he last rode at Badminton 18 years ago.It was also really nice weather then. There was a lot of sand and ground preparation, he said. We love this [nice weather] more than rainy conditions so I think its better. Im happy.He also confessed that although Vitorio is typically a fast horse, he wont be pushing for the time tomorrow.When you are young you try this and when you are older, like me now, you are happy to stay alive and to be here, said Harald. Im very happy that I have the possibility to have a horse [at Badminton] again. Ive had a lot of horses and I could have nominated them for this event but I wouldnt have passed the cross-country because they didnt have enough blood. They did do Europeans and Worlds, but Badminton is much stronger. You have to be lucky to have the right horse and well try to do our best.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentAll the latest news from BadmintonHow to watch Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2025The post Full-time dentist who rides at 5.30am is back at Badminton after an 18-year absence appeared first on Your Horse.