Oliver Townend, who has never made any secret of his desire for another MARS Badminton Horse Trials victory, is now at the head of the leaderboard at the conclusion of the dressage phase.The former world number one and Olympic gold medallist conjured a superb performance from his exciting grey mare, Cooley Rosalent, who showed all her star quality and potential to score 21.1 penalties.This puts Oliver 1.3 ahead of his Tokyo Olympics team mate, Tom McEwen riding JL Dublin, and 3.6 penalties in front of Gemma Stevens on another mare, Jalapeno, in an all-British top 10.The 2023 winners Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo are in close contention in fourth place on 25.3.Just a handful of time penalties separate the top combinations and a thrilling days cross-country is guaranteed for tomorrow with both Oliver and Gemma running near the end of the day on their second horses the pair are lying in ninth and 10th places respectively on their first rides, Ballaghmor Class and Chilli Knight.Olivers first ever five-star triumph came at the age of 26 at Badminton in 2009 on another grey, Flint Curtis. Since then he has twice been runner-up, on Ballaghmor Class, as well as scoring multiple victories at Kentucky and Burghley. He is the most experienced competitor at Badminton this year, with 18 completions to his name.The 11-year-old Cooley Rosalent, owned by Paul and Diana Ridgeon, has shone at every level so far, winning Kentucky last year.She is still quite babyish, but she coped very well in the atmosphere of the dressage, Oliver said. She is very nippy across country, she can adjust her stride and she has a great galloping pedigree her dam [Bellany Jewel] was a Scottish Grand National winner and her sire [Valent] was a show jumper.She has the stamina and its up to me to give her the ride and sometimes its your day and sometimes its not.Gemma Stevens, 40, was delighted with the 17-year-old mare Jalapeno, like her first ride, Chilli Knight, by the Badminton-winning stallion Chilli Morning and owned by Chris and Lisa Stone.The two horses are similar types, but have different ways of going, said Gemma. Alfie [Chilli Knight] will want to gallop to the end, but the mare, who can be lazy, will tell me she is tired three minutes into the course and I will be clicking luckily I have been to the gym. I will be terrified, but, then, if youre not terrified at Badminton, why are you here!The cross-country action starts at 11.30am tomorrow and will be shown live on Badminton TV, powered by ClipMyHorse.tv

The leaderboard underwent a shuffle on Friday afternoon (9 May) at theMarsBadminton Horse Trialsafter long-time leadersTom McEwen and JL Dublinwere usurped by Oliver Townend riding Cooley Rosalent.New leaders werent the only change to the order, with Gemma Stevens producing a stylish test aboard Jalapeo to slot into third and an impressive performance from Fiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver De Haar placing them seventh in what is an all-British top 10.The latter combination only came off the waiting list on Saturday (3 May) and the rider realised she had been practising the wrong test.Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, who were fifth into the arena this morning, are also at the business end despite errors in the flying changes and now lie fourth overnight.Both Oliver and Gemma have two horses in the top 10 heading into Saturdays cross-country, while Badminton first timers Tom Woodward (Low Moor Lucky) and Yasmin Ingham (Rehy DJ) are also well-placed in sixth and eighth respectively.1. Oliver Townend and Cooley RosalentOliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent (pictured above), an 11-year-old Irish Sports Horse mare, shot to the head of the leaderboard on Friday afternoon, overtaking long-time leaders Tom McEwen and JL Dublin.The pair, who are no strangers to success at CCI5* level having won Kentucky last year, produced a mistake-free test for a score of 21.1.I took a risk coming out the first corner and actually just let go and she did go in the right direction. It would have been very easy for her to stick her head up and goggle round and that would have probably been the end of the test. I just liked how she came to hand more than anything, said Oliver about the mares test.She went in and brightened up with the crowd. Shes still relatively babyish, despite doing what shes done, and one of her last memories is galloping around with me clapping with the crowd in Kentucky. So its a big atmosphere and a big day for her but shes coped brilliantly.2. Tom McEwen and JL DublinOvernight leaders Tom McEwen and JL Dublin impressed the dressage judges the most on Thursday, receiving a score of 22.4 for their test which was marred by just one mistake in the extended trot.[Its] a shame that our highlight piece, being the medium extended trot, broke. I just let him get too long, but you know what he was absolutely awesome, said the two-time Olympic team gold medallist.He was relaxed and to show all that power and rhythm and the extended walk and his pirouettes. I mean he pulled together a super test. He got a mark that he definitely deserves even with a mistake.It is a first Badminton appearance together for this pair and they have a strong record at CCI5* level to date, having finished second at both Kentucky and Luhmuhlen, as well as third at Pau.3. Gemma Stevens and JalapenoGemma Stevens piloted her second ride, Jalapeno, into third place on Friday, giving her two horses in the top 10 going into tomorrows cross-country.It hasnt been an easy preparation with her. Shes been quite on edge, which is slightly new territory for me because normally shes very relaxed and almost lazy, but shes been seriously hot to trot the last few days and so I had to ride slightly tentatively, said Gemma.Jalapeno, who finished sixth here in 2023, is now 17.She knows exactly what she wants out of life and most of the time its not really working that hard.She only goes into school once a week [at home], because otherwise I irritate her. Shes a funny old stick.4. Ros Canter and Lordships GraffaloMistakes in the flying changes proved costly for reigning Burghley and former Badminton champions Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, who sit in third on 25.3.The pair received several 4s from the judges for errors in two flying changes, which are worth double marks, but also scored the first 10 of the competition for their final halt.I was really pleased with it actually, said Ros of her 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 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. Theywon here in 2023and 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.5. Emily King and Valmy BiatsEmily King and Valmy Biats produced their usual consistent first-phase performance despite the 16-year-old French gelding getting slightly tense as he felt the atmosphere in the main arena.He went in there and held his breath a bit, said Emily.He still felt amazing, but he lifted and got a bit tight so I had to adapt to how he was in a certain place in the arena. The fact he did take a step and stayed so with me in the crunch movements, I was very proud of.Emily secured her first Badminton completion last year after she piloted Val into fourth place.6. Tom Woodward and Low Moor LuckyTom Woodward and Low Moor Lucky had a dream debuton the hallowed turf of Badminton, producing the test of their life on Thursday afternoon for a score of 27.9 to briefly hold the lead.Its pretty surreal [to take the lead], said Tom. Were local, in Hartpury, and I used to come here every year to watch as a kid and wed stay in the old campsite as a family. I used to look at the jumps out there on the course and think, how do you ever do that?I was probably 13 when I decided I wanted to try and do it. Ive just been incredibly lucky to find a partner like [Lucky] because hes just immense. I cant thank the horse enough. Hes put me on the map and allowed me to pursue a career in the sport.Tom revealed Lucky is revelling in the atmosphere at the Gloucestershire five-star.Hes actually quite lazy and I normally never ride him more than once before his test and its normally for 25 minutes, continued Tom.He was quite wild last night and I thought, well, Ive got to do a bit with him this morning and he was backwards, I was kicking him along Pony Club style and I was thinking oh no, but he loves the crowd, he loves the atmosphere. It lifts him it gives him that bit more.Equally, hes never seen a crowd like that, but he just takes everything in. Hes Mr Cool. He walked out at the trot up yesterday and didnt bat an eyelid, had a look at the crowd and trotted up and down, went back to his stable and had a sleep.Hes just a super cool horse and nothing fazes him.7. Fiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver De HairFiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver De Haar who only found out they had moved off the wait list and would be competing at Badminton this year on Saturday produced an impressive test on Friday afternoon to sit seventh after the first phase.The feat was made all the more remarkable given Fiona learnt the wrong dressage.Im going to blame my mother, who does all my scheduling, said Fiona with a smile, after she received a text from her at the beginning of the year stating which test she needed to learn.On January 28th I did screenshot her text to show it to her her answer was 2024B, added the 43-year-old rider.So Ive had a lesson every two weeks [riding test] 2024B and on Friday night I see Kirsty Chabert doing a Facebook run through of her test and [its] not the one Ive been going through.I looked at the schedule and its 2025c. I thought it doesnt matter because Im not in. Im not even going to say anything to my mum. And then I get the phone call on Saturday Im in.Fiona stated that she owes her 28.4 score a personal best to her trainer Damian Hallam.Damien drove up from the New Forest on Monday night because I was at Bovington on Sunday so I couldnt run through it then and [the horse had] already galloped on Saturday. He drove two hours to come and run through my test, said Fiona.Im just pleased I didnt go wrong. I think my mothers pleased I didnt go wrong as well.8. Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJDespite being a world champion and having been around the top echelons of the sport for several years, this is Yasmin Inghams first time competing at Badminton.The Isle of Man native, who was Britains travelling reserve rider for the Paris Olympic Games last year, was thrilled with the performance of Rehy DJ, the 14-year-old Irish gelding she has brought through the grades since 2017 and who is known at home as Piglet.Hes not naturally the most big moving horse, but when hes accurate and he does things correctly then thats when hes with the marks, so Im really pleased that the judges did reward him where he was good today, said Yasmin.Its such an atmosphere in there. Its just electric to be honest, so Im delighted with him and how hes coped because he would react to noise. Going in behind Tom [McEwen] is probably not ideal for me but Im pleased with how it turned out.9. Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor ClassSecond to go on Thursday morning,Oliver Townend and his seasoned campaigner Ballaghmor Class were the leaders at the lunch breakon day one but ended the first phase in ninth.They are 8.2 penalties behind Olivers overnight leader, Cooley Rosalent.Im happy with the horse. A couple of things that could have been better but hes getting quite clever, said Oliver, who has finished second here twice with the now 18-year-old Irish gelding.Hes wild at the trot up and wild everywhere and then goes in and says Ive done enough now so got a little bit quiet maybe.Hes unreal. Hes somehow getting better and better and still improving. It just shows that if you stay doing the same things as youve done all their lives and they dont have a change in the system it feels better than ever and it looks better than ever.10. Gemma Stevens and Chilli KnightTenth position was occupied by Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight, the 2021 Bicton CCI5* winners who were very pleased to score 29.5, and give Gemma two horses in the top 10 at the end of day two.It was an absolute dream to get a sub 30. When I heard the first few scores I thought, well, theres no chance, Im going to be on a 38, but that horse just honestly did his best shuffling ever.We rode every blade of grass and he tried his best.He is what he is you cant make him into London 52 or Lordships Graffalo, hes not that, but he tries his best.The cross-country gets underway tomorrow at 11:30am. First out on the course will be Kirsty Chabert on Classic VI.Top 10 after dressageAn all-British top 10! The standings at the end of the dressage phase are:Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent on 21.1 penaltiesTom McEwen and JL Dublin, 22.4Gemma Stevens and Jalapeno, 24.7Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, 25.3Emily King and Valmy Biats, 27.3Tom Woodward and Low Moor Lucky, 27.9Fiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver De Haar, 28.4Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ, 29.1Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class, 29.3Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight, 29.5Useful linksLatest news from BadmintonHow to watch Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2025View the full standingsView Saturdays cross-country timesImages by Tim WilkinsonThe post All British top 10! Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent in pole position after Badminton dressage appeared first on Your Horse.

On May 5, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding in Marion County, Florida, tested positive for strangles. The horse is under quarantine, and one additional horse is exposed.This is Floridas 18thconfirmed strangles case in 2025.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

Working animal charity Brooke has partnered with University College London (UCL) to produce a photo essay which explores the vital role of working animals for women during disasters.Donkeys, horses and mules are crucial for women in the community in the recovery process following disasters as they can access affected areas where vehicles cant. They are often used to evacuate people and transport goods to help rebuild infrastructure and the local economy.Working animals and women are often the unsung heroes in disaster-affected communities, said Gemma Carder, senior manager for global research at Brooke.This essay sheds light on their lived experiences and the vital, practical support these animals provide during crisis recovery.Its essential that future disaster risk and resilience policies recognise the gendered realities of emergencies and include working animals in planning and response efforts.Planning aheadDisaster risk management plans are essential to help reduce the effect floods, hurricanes and droughts have on people and animals, particularly in resource-poor areas.The research forms part of a wider, global project by Brooke and UCL to understand how working animals can help protect communities before and after disasters, and how this may impact a working animals welfare.It is a privilege to be collaborating with Brooke, seeing how our research helps people and animals most in need, said Dr Ilan Kelman, professor of disasters and health at UCL.Our science and science communication aim to influence policy and action, supporting Brooke partners, not only during times of struggle after a disaster, but also beforehand to help avoid disasters in the first place.Brookes missionBrooke, which was founded by Dorothy Brooke in 1934,works with communities, local health providers and policy makers to create a better life for working animals and their owners.The charity recognises that working animals are an essential part of many communities around the world and without them they would be unable to earn a living, provide food for their families and send their children to school.Read the full photo essayhere.Further readingHow to tell if a horse is happyHow to stop a horse bitingHow to stop a horse buckingCan you read your horses body language?How to take care of a horseThe post Brooke combines with UCL to explore role of working animals for women in disasters appeared first on Your Horse.

John Kyle is from an Irish eventing family his brother Mark is an Olympian, both his parents competed and his mother, Gillian, is a regular technical delegate but his role in the sport has very much been heard rather than seen. This year, his rich tones can be heard as the anchor on Badminton TV.His commentating career, which has taken in four Olympic Games, started when he was a member of the control team at Blarney Castle in Ireland and an announcement was needed. Youre loud, someone said, and then: Great, you can do the pony classes.John was invited to Burgie in Scotland by the Lochore family and his first television job came in 2002 at Blair Castle in Scotland when Mike Tucker was away at the World Equestrian Games. His first major gig was the 2010 WEG in Kentucky for Martin-Bird Productions.I printed out my own strip of cross-country fences and made my own rider cards, which I still do, John recalls. And for my peg system, I pinched four forks from the hotel the others thought I was mad.His first Badminton was in 2011 and one of the occasions he is most proud of is when Michael Jung won the Rolex Grand Slam in 2016. This year, Badminton Director Jane Tuckwell invited John to front the new partnership between Badminton TV and ClipMyHorseTV.Commentating is an underrated art, John says. Combining research and knowledge with pace and cadence in the voice is more difficult than people think. I did a bit of theatre and debating at university and I was in the army, which helps with preparation.You need to have a story ready to go for a hold-up, perhaps interviewing the guest commentating with you, and know that you can fill, five, 10 or 15 minutes its like spinning plates. One of my greatest disappointments is that when, in 2023, Tom Crisp fell in the Lake at Badminton and started pretending to swim, I was literally speechless.The highlight? Announcing the cross-country at the London Olympic Games, in the city in which I was living, amid that incredible atmosphere and noise. It doesnt get any better than that. When I said something about how grateful we were to the army for stepping in and providing security for the Games, the roar of applause that elicited was both thrilling and humbling.And it is always nice when you get a text from someone in New Zealand or America saying Ive been listening to you.

Harry Mutch, a competitor at this years MARS Badminton Horse Trials, has a further challenge on the horizon: he is about to do first a half Iron Man and then a full Iron Man.My brother did a few and I used to think, why would you do that? Its the most stupid thing to do. Then I went and watched one, and got the bug, says Harry, 27, from Whitley Bay in Tyne & Wear.Its just the challenge itself, honestly and I like the atmosphere. Ive always loved a challenge and working with horses, its all about them. This is a personal challenge, seeing how far can I push myself.The full Iron Man, which Harry is doing in Leeds on July 28, consists of a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride and a full marathon. It was only after entering that he discovered it was the hilliest course of all the Iron Men competitions worldwide. He admits that, Fitting in my training as well as preparing for Badminton and riding my other horses has been a serious challenge. The hours we have to put in to the horses, with my training on top of that is a serious challenge.Ive been quite carefull with the number of horses I ride I only have six or seven in, but even so, I have found that my legs dont have much time to recover; if Im recovering from my Iron Man training Im riding horses, and if Im not riding horses I am training for the Iron Man. Having said that, fitness-wise its actually been the best thing for me. I feel like Im in the best physical shape I could possibly be in to come to a show like this.Im doing a half Iron Man in Switzerland three weeks on Sunday, so this is one of my peak weeks of training. Ive got my bike in the back of the lorry on a static base, with an iPad in front of me, cycling away in the evenings. I stupidly broke a toe the day before I came here, so Ive had to stop running for a few days.Lets see how much torture a half Iron Man is Im using it as a warm up to the big one. Im terrified of going to Leeds; last year 20 minutes on the treadmill was hard work. Im not a natural runner!But, Ive been running a half marathon every Wednesday it goes to show that you can get your body to do whatever you want, really. Its exciting.But before all that happens, Harry will be tackling the Badminton cross-country course. He is due to set off at 15.40 on Shanbeg Cooley.

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Its a beautiful sunny day here at MARS Badminton Horse Trials where the cross country day is a sell-out. The first horse, Great Britains Kirsty Chabert riding Classic VI, will leave the start box at 11.30am.

The William Buicks and Rachel Blackmores of the future or maybe they will switch to eventing later on? will be in action in the Shetland Pony Grand National this morning, which kicks off todays action at 10.30am in the main arena.More than 30 diminutive jockeys have gone to professional careers, including the 2016 champion Flat jockey Jim Crowley and leading National Hunt jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, whose younger brother Ted will be racing here.The field today includes Nancy Greatrex, daughter of trainer Warren and niece of former Badminton runner-up Polly Stockton, Hetty Roddis, who will be proudly wearing the A Plus Tard colours Rachel Blackmore carried to victory in the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Charlie Harrison-Gigney, who will be wearing the purple colours of his late mentor, Georgie Campbell.Over the years, the Shetland Pony Grand National, which is organised by Sebastian Garner, has raised more than 250,000 for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, the charity set up by the 1971 Grand national-winning jockey.