You might expect the entry list for Mars Badminton Horse Trials to be filled with professional riders who make a living from riding horses but youd be wrong. There is a smattering of riders in the field who are employed in other industries, inspiring equestrians everywhere that with dedication and commitment, it is possible to compete at the top level.Shop workerArthur Marx on ChurchlleFrench rider Arthur Marx works in a stationary shop every morning, as well as running a yard in Bleury Saint Symphorien, south west of Paris.The married father of two, aged 31, rides Churchlle at Badminton and is looking for his first completion on his third time of trying.FarmerManuel Grave on Carat de BremoyPortugals Manuel Grave is a farmer and he events as a hobby. He made his Badminton debut 12 years ago on a home-bred horse, but didnt complete. Manuel is back this year for a second attempt riding Carat de Bremoy, the horse he campaigned at theOlympic Games in Parislast year.I am a farmer back in Portugal. We have bulls and some cereals and vineyards, said Manuel, who lives in the southern region of Alentejo.We have four horses [competing] and a few more young ones. We try to get the work done as soon as possible and in the afternoon find some time to ride.Ice cream companyDavid Doel is first and foremost an event rider, with multiple five-star placings under his belt. He has risen through the ranks from Pony Club level and has a great competition CV. His Reybridge Eventing business operates out of his familys farm near Lacock in Wiltshire. David is also in partnership with his father on the Lacock Dairy ice cream company.Functional consultantSeppe Vilain on Kawa De La Cour ZBelgiums Seppe Vilain, who is contesting his first Badminton, is a full-time functional consultant. I didnt know what this was, so I asked Google, which summarises the role as being experts who help others implement the latest technology solutions to meet their needs. The 25-year-old rider is a civil engineer graduate and he also has a masters degree in mobility and supply chain engineering.Council Also making his Badminton debut is German rider Arne Bergendahl aboard Luthien NRW.The 34-year-old rider works for the city council of Wesel in Germany. Arnes father, Helmut, evented at the top level in the 1980s and now runs an eventing-focused breeding programme.Arne said that he has never been to Badminton before, even as a spectator.My father breeds horses so I come from a horse farm, he said. I studied environmental technologies and Im working 35 hours per week, so [riding] is more or less a hobby.Medical devicesLibby Seed on Heartbreaker Star QualityLibby Seed is a full-time business development specialist selling medical devices for US company Boston Scientific.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 studied medical sciences at Exeter University. Its tough trying to balance time and everything is always difficult, but if you want to do it, you do it.Libby is riding Heartbreaker Star Quality, whois owned by her parents, Lesley and Jonathan Seed, at Badminton.ConstructionWouter De Cleene on QuinteramWouter De Cleene, who hails from Belgium, is a manager for the Belgian road construction company VMB Aannemingen and he is contesting his first Badminton aboard Quinteram. The 37-year-olds uncle, Dirk van Mieghem, was the first Belgian rider to finish Badminton with his horse Nancledra. While Wouter has several cousins who also event at a high level, he is the first of the family to emulate their uncles success by riding at Badminton.DentistHarald Ambros on Vitorio Du MontetAustrias Harald Ambros is a full-time dentist and he has been riding Vitorio Du Montet before work at 5.30am in order to prepare for Badminton.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 the 45-year-old father of two. Some days [I work] up to five oclock in the evening and then start training again.AccountantLauren Innes and Global Fision MAlthough she was born in Britain and is based near Hook in Hampshire, Lauren Innes switched nationalities to begin riding for New Zealand three years ago. The 34-year-old is a full-time chartered accountant for KPMG and comes from a non-horsey background. She says she has always juggled riding with studying and working, and acquired a degree in biological sciences from Oxford University, as well as a masters in investment banking.This is Laurens fourth Badminton with Global Fision M, the horse on whom she finished 24th at Burghley last year.Related contentLatest news from BadmintonHow to watch Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2025All British top 10! Oliver Townend leads after two days of dressageThe post When riding isnt your day job: the interesting roles that several Badminton riders juggle with competing horses appeared first on Your Horse.

First-timer Lizzie Baugh almost didnt make it to Mars Badminton Horse Trials with B Exclusive as the homebred gelding was nearly sold as a three-year-old.It wasnt necessarily that we didnt think he was a good horse, it was more that he was quite a big tall three-year-old and we didnt really want anything that big, said Lizzie about the 15-year-old who measures 17hh. I didnt know at the time that I was going to ride as a career because I was still at school, so we had a go at selling him. Luckily he didnt sell and here we are.The 27-year-old now runs a yard near Newark and made her five-star debut at Burghley last autumn. They had to withdraw after the cross-country there and so are seeking a first completion at this level today (10 May). A family affairB Exclusives journey to Badminton has been a family affair.Its always been a huge dream to ride at this level. Its so special to be here, especially on one like this, who weve had from a foal, said Lizzie. He was out of a mare that my mum evented up to novice level then had a couple of foals from her.My oldest sister backed him and then I took the ride on him when he was a four-year-old. Hes always been a very talented horse, continued Lizzie. I was 16 when I started riding him and he was a four-year-old, so Id say hes always been keen to do the job because I wasnt the most confident and was probably a bit useless at that age as well. For him to come up the levels and go as far as he has, hes always loved the job.Related contentLatest news from BadmintonHow to watch Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2025When riding isnt your day job: Badminton contenders with interesting jobsAll British top 10! Oliver Townend leads after two days of dressageThe post Homebred horse nobody wanted as a three-year-old makes Badminton debut appeared first on Your Horse.

The equestrian photographer Kit Houghton has been one of the great constants at MARS Badminton Horse Trials for nearly 50 years, acting as photographic manager, keeper of the Badminton library and responsible for initiating much new technology in the media office.Now, however, he is hanging up his camera and last night past and present colleagues of the press gathered for a reception in the press office at which he and his wife Kate, always an integral part of the operation, were presented with a garden bench and a magnificent cake in the shape of a Nikon camera, including edible rolls of film.Hugh Thomas, who took over as Director in 1989, recalls that when the press office was upgraded in the early 1990s, Kit very much drove the process. When we moved from developing film on site to sending pictures by email and going digital, it was always Kit who led the way in advising us. We always walked the cross-country course together and he would advise on photographic angles and branding.Present Director Jane Tuckwell added: We owe Kit a lot for the way he has managed the photographer cohort with great grace, fairness and good humour, yet also with firmness and insisting on high standards of conduct. Over the years he has produced many artworks, including the photographic wall, and last year he worked very hard, with others, to create the splendid museum to mark 75 years of Badminton. We shall miss him very much.

Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI are this years trailblazers. They are out on course, as is Oliver Townend with Ballaghmor Class. Keep checking back to read how the course is riding.Update: both jumped clear with time penalties

Aspect Details Importance of Hiring an Equine Agent Provides tailored navigation through horse purchasing with expert knowledge and connections. Expertise and Knowledge Offers extensive industry knowledge and understanding to choose a horse suited to your skill level. Negotiation Skills Equipped with strong negotiation skills to secure better purchase prices. Reduced Risk Decreases risk of health or behavioral issues by ensuring horse aligns with your goals. Evaluating Costs Consider commission fees and additional expenses that contribute to the horse's value. Commission Fees Typically range from 10% to 20% of the horse's sale price. Additional Expenses Includes transportation and other expenses affecting financial statements. Accounting and Tax Implications Understanding cost capitalizations and implications for financial statements and insurance. Capitalization of Costs Horse's purchase price and associated costs become part of the cost basis. Equine Mortality Insurance Insurable value may differ from purchase price, reflecting acquisition and potential use. Conclusion Hiring an equine agent is a valuable investment, balancing expertise and costs for a better purchase experience. Exploring the Benefits and Costs of Hiring an Equine Agent for Horse Purchases Purchasing a horse is an exciting yet complex journey, often accompanied by a myriad of emotions and decisions. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a budding enthusiast, the question of whether to hire an equine agent can significantly impact your buying experience. Let's take a deep dive into the nuanced world of equine agents, assessing the benefits and costs to help you make an informed choice. The Importance of Hiring an Equine Agent Deciding to engage an equine agent offers you a tailored navigation through the complex world of horse purchasing. But what exactly do these agents bring to the table? Here are some key benefits: Expertise and Knowledge An equine agent provides extensive industry knowledge and valuable connections. With a nuanced understanding of what makes an excellent horse for your skill level, they significantly reduce the risk of picking an ill-suited horse. Negotiation Skills Seasoned agents come equipped with strong negotiation skills. They can secure better purchase prices, potentially saving you more than their commission fees in the process. Reduced Risk With an agent, the risk of running into unexpected health or behavioral issues decreases. They ensure that the horse you choose aligns with your goals, preventing costly errors.[3] Evaluating the Costs of Hiring an Equine Agent While the benefits are notable, it is essential to consider the associated costs: Commission Fees Typically, commission fees range from 10% to 20% of the horse's sale price, covering the agent's efforts, travel, and related expenses during the purchase journey.[3] Additional Expenses Beyond commission, you should account for transportation costs and other expenses. These costs contribute to the horse's capitalized value in financial statements.[2] Navigating Accounting and Tax Implications With horse purchases, understanding accounting and tax nuances is crucial: Capitalization of Costs The horse's purchase price, alongside agent commissions and associated costs, becomes part of the cost basis and remains on balance sheets until the horse is sold[2]. Business horses could qualify for depreciation once they are "placed in service." Equine Mortality Insurance The insurable value of a horse can differ from the purchase price. This value reflects not just the acquisition cost, but also potential training or breeding potential.[4][5] Conclusion: Is Hiring an Equine Agent Worth It? Engaging an equine agent can be a valuable investment for horse purchases. Despite the costs, the benefits of expertise, negotiation prowess, and risk mitigation frequently surpass expenses. Ensure you consider all aspects of accounting and insurance to align your purchase with your financial objectives. For all your horse riding needs, "Just Horse Riders" provides an impressive Jodhpur collection, riding boots, and gloves, ensuring a stylish and comfortable ride. Or explore their equestrian supplements to enhance your horses health.```html```

We are thrilled to announce that our BSH graduate Nike van het singraven and rider Holly Smith have qualified for HOYS for the second year in a row! This time, they secured their spot at the Chard talent seekers competition. We couldn't be prouder of our team and can't wait to see them shine at HOYS. Congratulations again, Holly and Nike!

Kirsty Chabert, pathfinder: Classic was absolutely fab. I think Eric [Winter, course-designer] has built the most rider-thinking course and the ground rode superbly. Badminton is the one five-star we havent cracked, so I just want to be back tomorrow show jumping. And now Im going for a sleep!Tim Price: It was a good round, despite the 20 penalties [at fence 19]. Viscount Viktor was fighting a bit at the start and that was our comeuppance the brush came up too fast. But he relaxed after that. He is a class horse.Oliver Townend: There were a couple of places where Ballaghmor Class wasnt too impressed with the size of the fence if he sees a fence he doesnt think is big enough, he can get out of my hands, but the old-fashioned fences he respects and his galloping is fantastic. Looking back, I think I enjoyed every minute! And, fair dos to Badminton, as the organisers must have been under pressure with the lack of rain but the ground is very consistent and they couldnt have done more. And its great to be back here in the sunshine!Joseph Murphy: I had a really nice ride on Belline Fighting Spirit. It was frustrating to have a 20 penalties [at fence 12] he jumped too far off the steps and showed his greenness, but it was 50% my fault. He will gain a lot from this.Gemma Stevens [Pictured on Chilli Knight]: What a round! Im not going to lie that was cool! Last year I had no control, but I have changed the bit and felt much more confident this year. Chilli Knight doesnt like to whoa but he knows now when I ask him to whoa that it is for a jump. At Huntsmans Close he was unreal. I knew I didnt have enough seconds in hand to go long.Harry Meade: I am absolutely thrilled. It is Superstitions first run since coming through the finish lines at Burghley. I just jumped two 90cm show jumps this morning which kept him relaxed and he felt great. I loved jumping into the Lake. That is a proper Badminton fence, really cool.

An exciting day of cross-country is in full swing at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials, with Gemma Stevens the leader after the first half of riders have ridden their rounds. Gemma and Chilli Knight, lying 10th overnight, are 2.3 penalties ahead of Harry Meade and Superstition and these are the only two riders to finish inside the optimum time (11 minutes and 40 seconds) so far. What a horse, said Gemma. Its a long way round and its tough to get the time. I was flat to the boards, straight through everywhere. Hes got so much heart and he gave me the most amazing ride.The rider said the key to getting the time is just being as quick as you can at every single fence, not taking too many pulls, going straight.Last year we struggled with our brakes [because] we didnt have the correct bit, added Gemma. Ive changed that now and we had a fantastic round at Burghley, and weve come here full of confidence.Gemma will head out on her second horse, Jalapeno, who lies third after dressage, at 4.24pm.I think the time will be harder for her, but we will give it our best shot. All the straight ways and well try our best, she said.Its not a sprintHarry Meade hasnt run Superstition across country at all since Burghley last September. Thats pretty unusual, but I reckoned I could do all the prep at home. I think people thought Id entered him but wouldnt run him, said Harry, who stopped the clock bang on the optimum time . He felt great. I jumped about two showjumps outside at about 90cms to keep him relaxed.Harry added that a cross-country like this is not sprint.Its about trying to keep them efficient, let them recover and never empty them, he explained. I tried to be as quick as I could and he was bang on the time.I was surprised how big it rode. The back rails were a long way away all the way around [and] it got the horses jumping in a way they might not always jump [reaching for the back rail]. It then had an impact on how they jumped the ones that werent wide but were more technical.He added that the Mars Lake (fence 10abc) as a highlight.I loved jumping into the lake, that was cool. It reminds me of the big old fences in the 80s and 90s.I rode really positively in and kept on my line.I enjoyed the finish lineOliver Townend was second out on Ballaghmor Class came home with 4.8 time penalties to add to a score that put them ninth after dressage.He enjoyed the ride more than I did I enjoyed the finish line said Oliver with a smile.Hes a good little horse as we all know and hes very keen these days and theres not a lot to back him off, which sounds ridiculous at Badminton, but the skinny rails hes not too worried about. The bigger the fence, the more beautiful he is to ride to it.Oliver praised the efforts made to prepare the ground after a long spell of dry weather.Beautiful ground fair play to the Badminton team it rode very safe, level ground all the way and I dont think I had a single slip.Oliver is due back out on course at 4.20pm with his overnight leader Cooley Rosalent. The rider cautioned that this horse lacks the experience at this level compared to her Olympic gold medal-winning stablemate.Shes a baby at the level and still very babyish with crowds, but shes done it before so fingers crossed, he said.Positivity is bestBubby Upton and Cola have moved up to fourth at this stage after a classy clear for six time-faults.I couldnt have been more lucky to sit on a horse like that, smiled Bubby. Ive had him for nine years and hes a fighter through and through. Its the best feeling ever when you come back to that roaring crowd.I know him inside out and positivity is definitely best with him. Ive been learning on him at five-star, made a few mistakes along the way and let him down. He doesnt deserve that so Im glad I was able to show the world what a horse he is today.Main image by Badminton Horse TrialsRelated contentLatest news from BadmintonHow to watch Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2025When riding isnt your day job: Badminton contenders with interesting jobsAll British top 10! Oliver Townend leads after two days of dressageThe post Only two inside the time so far: early riders reflect on their cross-country rounds appeared first on Your Horse.

Kirsty Chabert proved the perfect cross-country trailblazer at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials, putting in a superb round on the mare Classic Vl to come home clear and show her fellow competitors how well Eric Winters course was riding.Next up was Oliver Townend on the wonderful Ballaghmor Class, the pair showing all their experience to come home with a handful of time penalties (4.6). It was their 13th consecutive five-star clear cross-country round, the first pair to achieve such a record for nearly 20 years.Gemma Stevens riding Chilli Knight [pictured] was the first to crack the optimum time of 11 minutes 40 seconds with a superb round as she rose from 10th place to soar into the lead in the early stages of the competition. What a round Im not going to lie, that was cool, she said delightedly.It was no surprise when Harry Meade, the only rider to achieve the optimum time at Kentucky a fortnight ago, romped home with no penalties on Superstition, a horse that he finds is best reserved for the big occasion he hasnt run across country since Burghley last September.Bubby Upton had another excellent round on her long-time partner Cola, and there were clears for first-time overseas riders Senne Vervaecke (Belgium), Jerome Robine (Germany), and Ryuzo Kitajima (Japan).There were run-outs with their first horses for Tim Price and Joseph Murphy, plus Tiana Coudray, Arthur Marx, Joe Meyer, a horse fall for David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed at fence 26 and Kylie Roddys bad Badminton luck continued when she tipped off SRS Kan Do at fence 4. Tom Rowlands pulled up his first horse, Quintilius, after a run-out at the seventh fence, Chinese competitor Alex Hua Tian, who heroically survived a near unseating at fence 17, retired, and Portuguese first-timer Manuel Grave was eliminated for three refusals.

Kirsty Chabert, pathfinder: Classic was absolutely fab. I think Eric [Winter, course-designer] has built the most rider-thinking course and the ground rode superbly. Badminton is the one five-star we havent cracked, so I just want to be back tomorrow show jumping. And now Im going for a sleep!Tim Price: It was a good round, despite the 20 penalties [at fence 19]. Viscount Viktor was fighting a bit at the start and that was our comeuppance the brush came up too fast. But he relaxed after that. He is a class horse.Oliver Townend: There were a couple of places where Ballaghmor Class wasnt too impressed with the size of the fence if he sees a fence he doesnt think is big enough, he can get out of my hands, but the old-fashioned fences he respects and his galloping is fantastic. Looking back, I think I enjoyed every minute! And, fair dos to Badminton, as the organisers must have been under pressure with the lack of rain but the ground is very consistent and they couldnt have done more. And its great to be back here in the sunshine!Joseph Murphy: I had a really nice ride on Belline Fighting Spirit. It was frustrating to have a 20 penalties [at fence 12] he jumped too far off the steps and showed his greenness, but it was 50% my fault. He will gain a lot from this.Gemma Stevens [Pictured on Chilli Knight]: What a round! Im not going to lie that was cool! Last year I had no control, but I have changed the bit and felt much more confident this year. Chilli Knight doesnt like to whoa but he knows now when I ask him to whoa that it is for a jump. At Huntsmans Close he was unreal. I knew I didnt have enough seconds in hand to go long.Harry Meade: I am absolutely thrilled. It is Superstitions first run since coming through the finish lines at Burghley. I just jumped two 90cm show jumps this morning which kept him relaxed and he felt great. I loved jumping into the Lake. That is a proper Badminton fence, really cool.Bubby Upton: Cola was sensational. What a horse he is a fighter through and through. I know him inside out after riding him for nine years.Lara de Liederkerke-Meier: When you breed a horse [Hooney dArville], you never believe you will win a five-star [Luhmuhlen last year] or get to Badminton, but today she has shown me that she is a world-class.Tiana Coudray: There were some really, really good bits she [Cancaras Girl] is amazing, a little firecracker. Im really pleased with parts of it. She was getting tired approaching the quarry and didnt make the distance from the wall to the skinny. Im so mad at myself because I held her together and shes honest as the day is long, but couldnt jump it fromwhere she was. I cant blame her in the slightest.Jerome Robine: He [Black Ice] is just a perfect cross-country horse, it was amazing. Its quite long round here and you have time to think about everything. Everything was on Plan A; he hesitated at the top of the stairs he does that at drops, and the lake was good for me as he always lands quite early so good for the short four strides.Tom Crisp: That was so close. Im gutted for him [Dassett Rock Star] and the owners. But was his first time here, and he was quite struck by the venue, as many are. Ive just got to learn to manage him. We had a super-educational round, still lots to learn, but thats what this level is all about. It was nothing but a great experience and a clear round will come, Im excited for his future.