Badminton 2026 saw the event bathed in sunshine and blessed with some of the best horses and riders from around the world and of course our record-breaking winners, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Here is Badminton 2026 in numbers3The history making number of times Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo have won the Mars Badminton Horse Trials title.186,000The number of visitors we welcomed to the park across the 5 days of the event40,000,000 +The number of views our social media platforms received during the event cycle800The number of amazing volunteers and officials who came to help500The number of hand selected trade stands that attended200Members of the media were accredited to attend62Competitors from across the globe including USA, Brazil and New Zealand24Weeks until the Box Office opens for Badminton 2027!

This weeks sees the park here at Badminton host the very first Royal Horticultural Society Badminton Flower Show. It is an event not to be missed with so much to see and doAwe-inspiring gardensThe prestigious RHS Medals and Awards are handed out as the show opens.Take a tour of the gardens and see if you agree with the judges.The Peoples Choicevote opens at the beginning of the show, so you have a chance to vote for your favourites tooThere are several judged categories across the show, each with their own set of criteria.Show gardensrepresent the pinnacle of garden design, while theYoung Designergardenschallenge designers at the start of their careersBBC Radio 4 and RHS celebrate The Archers 75th anniversarywith a feature garden,designed by one of the UKs most celebrated garden designers, Jo ThompsonTheArtisan Gardensaimto highlight and celebrate beautiful country gardens, artisan makers and crafts people. Be inspired by traditional crafts that you could try at home in theArtisan StudiosThePocket Planting Gardensinvitenew horticulturiststo bring their firstgarden to an RHS Show. Thismentored category offers the first opportunity for budding designers to start their show careers, and to have their designs rated by RHS Judges.TomStuart-Smith brings the largest ever show garden to an RHS Show withThe Julia Rausing Garden, and be prepared for a scented heaven in thePerfume PavilionsFabulous floralsTake a tour of theFloral Marqueeand see which medals have been awarded to the incredible exhibits and exhibitors.Take advantage of their wealth of knowledgeTheMaster Growerfor 2026 is theKitchen Garden Plant Centreand takes pride of placeamong the many specialist growers offering their advice along with an array of beautiful plantsShow Installationsexploringhorticultural and fun horse themes are dotted all around the showground.Dont forget to grab a selfie in front of the famous RHS Letters and tag #RHSBadminton onInstagram@the_rhsto share your picHouseplants take centre stage in theHouseplant Terarriums, where you can talk to experts about your treasured plants and how to display themAsk the expertsLearn from the experts and influencers ontheTalks Stageas part of the jam-packed show programme. See the timetables for theMain Stageand theIn The Grow Stage.Visit thePlant Villageand theFloral Marqueewhere plantspeople are on hand to share their plant knowledge alongside an excitingrange of plants to buyMake the most of RHS horticultural knowledge at theRHS Advicehubwith experts on hand to answer all your gardening questionsFind out more from the Show Guide or have a chat with one of the manyShow VolunteersFood-lovers paradiseCalling all foodiesRHS Badminton hasplenty of deliciousfood options, from worldwide street foodto fine dining at the Lakeside Restaurant.Be inspired to growyour own food by visiting theGrow Your Ownarea, which willbe packed with handy tips, and visit theSchool and Community Allotments for even more food for thought.Make the most of your special day out with a glass ofRoebuck EstatesSparkling Wine, while listeningto music on theLive atthe Lake stage in true summer festival style.TheGreat Taste Market is a mecca for those who love to eat, with speciality cheeses, artisan bakes and homemade ingredients to take home or buy as gifts.The best day out for allTheres lots offamily-friendly activitiesto keep younger visitorshappy, enjoying nature and maybe even sparking a life-long love of gardening. Look out for the joyfulLive, Love, Local Wheelbarrows for schools and communities.See your favourite gardening stars on the stage sharing their experience and wisdom. Take part in demonstrations and learn how the experts do it in on theTalks StageNo matter the weather, there are things to keep everyone happy both inside and out, so plan your day using theShow Guideto make sure you dont miss a thing!Above all else, RHS Badminton Flower Show is a fun day out celebrating the summer, with a huge range oftradestandsready to provide all your shopping needs.For all the information about the show that opens on Wednesday 7th July please head to their dedicated website where you can also purchase tickets. Click here to find out more.

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

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!

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo re-wrote eventing history and smashed records with an extraordinarily smooth third MARS Badminton Horse Trials victory, the first combination to achieve this accolade in the events 77-year history.In the final, tense moments of the competition, Ros was left with a luxurious 10.2 penalty lead in the show jumping arena to clinch the richest prize in eventing, 125,000.She used up just two of those penalties in excess time in an admirably composed, harmonious performance, the 14-year-old Lordships Graffalo (Walter) giving each fence plenty of air for the coolest of clear rounds, his ears pricked intelligently throughout.Harry Meade and the mare Annaghmore Valoner, the cross-country runners-up, had given Ros a little more breathing space with a fence down which dropped them to third place.New Zealander Tim Price, whose previous best Badminton result was a third place in 2017, rose to the runner-up spot with an outstanding clear show jumping round on Falco, a horse owned by a previous Badminton runner-up from 1979, Sue Benson.Falco is a fantastic little horse, all head and heart, said Tim. If hes enjoying it and his confidence is there, he gives me everything.Tom Jackson jumped clear for just 0.4 of a time penalty with the 10-year-old United 36 for fourth place, his best Badminton result, Katie Magee scored a career best with fifth place on Treworra and another Kiwi, Tayla Mason, was sixth on Centennial with a clean jumping round.An international top 10 was completed by French riders Gaspard Maksud (Zaragoza, seventh) and Benjamin Bassie (Filao de Perle, ninth), with Felix Vogg eighth for Switzerland on Cartania and Sarah Bullimore in 10th on the exciting prospect Corimiro, who dropped seven places to 10th with two rails down.Its hard to put into words how I feel right now, but when it sinks in it will be incredible, said Ros in the aftermath of her historic win.I hope this result makes Walter the greatest in the world. And for all the young people out there, you really can learn to be good under pressure. If you have the dream, it is possible.Harry Meade, whose own achievements in the sport are remarkable, generously summed up: It is difficult enough to get a horse to the startline, and to get it to the startline and deliver in the style Ros has done is something every horseman would recognise. Her technical ability and coolness under pressure will stand the test of time and that is her great legacy.Final results on www.badminton-horse.co.ukAbout the winner:Ros Canter, 40, and the 14-year-old bay gelding Lordships Graffalo, by Grafenstolz out of Cornish Queen (bred by Pennie Wallace and the Lordships Stud and owned by Michele and Archie Saul) have contested Badminton four times, finishing second in 2022 and first in 2023, 2025 and 2026. They have also won two Burghleys, in 2024 and 2025, plus the double European gold in 2023 and an Olympic team gold medal in 2024.Ros, 40, came up through the eventing ranks via producing young horses for Judy Bradwell. In 2017, she made her British team debut, riding Allstar B, to win European team gold and the following year they won double gold at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA. They were also travelling reserves for the 2021 Olympics.Ros, who has also won two five-stars with Izilot DHI, lives on the family farm near Louth, Lincolnshire, and is married to Chris McAleese; they have two daughters, Ziggy, six, and Seneh, born in January.Most Badminton wins:6 Lucinda Green4 Capt Mark Phillips, Sir Mark Todd3 Sheila Willcox, Ginny Eliot, Ian Stark, Pippa Funnell, Ros CanterDual winning horses:Kilbarry (1955-56), High and Mighty (1957-58), Great Ovation (1971-72), Sir Wattie (1986, 1988), Supreme Rock (2002, 2003)Triple winning horses:Lordships Graffalo (2022, 2024, 2025)

The Challenge Badminton Horse Trials Trophy ~ to the winning owners: Michele & Archie Saul for Lordships GraffaloMars Equestrian Yeti Cool Box ~ to the winning rider: Rosalind CanterMars Equestrian and Spillers prize ~ 1,000 to the Groom of winner: Sarah CharnleyReplica of the Trophy ~ to the top three riders and the winning owner: Michele & Archie Saul, Rosalind Canter, Tim Price and Harry MeadeMark Holliday Memorial Trophy ~ Groom of winner: Sarah CharnleyButler Challenge Bowl, with replica ~ for the highest placed British rider: Rosalind CanterWorshipful Company of Saddlers 1,000 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 Plate ~ to 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 Trophy ~ best British rider not previously completed Badminton: Holly Richardson riding Ballyneety Silver ServiceGlentrool Trophy ~ Horse & Rider who have made greatest improvement on their dressage placing: Tayla Mason and Centennial, up from 40th to 6thFrank Weldon Memorial Trophy ~ Rider of the youngest British owned and ridden horse in top 12: Tom Jackson for United 36Cotswold Life Trophy ~ To 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 Trophy ~ To 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 Britain ~ Owner 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 Prize ~ plaque to the owner and farrier of the best shod horse: Jim Brendon for Tom Bird, Helen Kerry and Fran Birds Cowling Hot Gossip.Stud Voucher 500 ~ owner of the highest placed British owned mare: Stephen & Dinah Posford and Jules Carter for Annaghmore ValonerDavid Beaufort Memorial Trophy ~ to 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 session ~ to the highest placed British bred or domiciled mare, courtesy of Tomlinson Equine: Annaghmore ValonerBreeder of the winner ~ Lordships Stud/Pennie WallaceArmada Dishes ~ Sarah Ennis, Georgie Goss, Harry Meade, Tom Rowland, Joseph Murphy, Michael Owen

Eric Winter, who has been designing the cross-country course at MARS Badminton Horse Trials since 2017, declared himself to be delighted ecstatic, even at how well his track rode.I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the good horses made it look by 12.30pm I was on the phone to my wife, saying that there was a 75% strike rate of clear rounds at that stage [the final tally was 34 clears representing 58%], he said. The riders said it was readable and I think it flowed well.He was pleased with how well the frangible pins worked crucial to safety nowadays (its the way we have to go in the sport) in particular the ones used for the first time on the houses at the LeMieux Village (fence 18ab).Among the rides that particularly impressed him was that of Holly Richardson on her first ride, Ballyneety Silver Service, who rose 33 places after dressage to 23rd after cross-country with the first round inside the optimum time. She was really impressive and showed more experienced riders that the time could be achieved.Eric also singled out Sarah Bullimores performance on her home-bred 10-year-old, Corimiro I thought wow, she looked as if she was just out for a hack and only last year the horse was in the 8/9yo class at Blenheim and, of course, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. What can you say about them? Ros looks as if she has all the time in the world. I hope they win; Graffalo is the horse of his generation, the ultimate athlete with proper eventing breeding that goes back 40 or 50 years.The life of an international designer is hectic. On Monday morning, Eric is catching a 6am flight to Sweden, where he is working on the Young Rider and Junior European Championships course at Segersjo, and then he will be off to France for Chaumont en Vexin.

Harry Meade may not have pulled off his ambition to complete Badminton with three horses he would have been the first rider to do so since Lorna Clark in 1970 but he will be collecting a third Armada Dish (awarded for five completions).The year of 1970 was also when his father Richard won his first Badminton (on The Poacher) his stellar career also included three Armada Dishes.When I grew up, I would help my father lay the table, and he would put two Armada Dishes at one end and one at the other, Harry recalls. He always wanted four to make it symmetrical so when I collected my first one, in 2009, I gave it to him.Harry first competed at Badminton 20 years ago in 2006, finishing 21st and winning the best under-25 prize on Midnight Dazzler. When he received his first Armada Dish in 2009, aged 25, he was the youngest rider to do so.When I fell with Cavalier Crystal [third ride at Badminton this year], it was my 18th ride around the cross-country here, but I can say I have had 17 great ones and that is how the sport grounds you. I have been to every Badminton since I was born and it does mean a lot to me, because its my local event.

Click on a fence to see an image of the fence

The final horse inspection at MARS Badminton Horse Trials 2026 has taken place. There had been two overnight withdrawals, Kylie Roddys SRS Kan Do (40th) and Will Rawlins Ballycoog Breaker Boy (7th).The hold box vet was kept on his toes as Grantstown Jackson (Sarah Ennis, 19th) and Chiko (Alex Hua Tian, 34th) were not accepted by the ground jury after re-presenting. Cancaras Girl gave Tiana Coudray a worried few minutes when sent to the hold, but she was subsequently accepted to continue her competition. Finally, Dreamliner (Tom Rowland, 18th) was withdrawn from the hold.Forty combinations will go forward to todays showjumping phase, with the morning session starting at 11.30am, and the top 25 jumping this afternoon.