Next months Badminton Horse Trials (6-10 May) promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with equestrian stars bidding to take the 2026 title.Olympic medallists, World and European Champions, five-star winners and 15 of the worlds top 20 ranked riders are among the impressive line-up.Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo will be bidding for a third victory at Badminton following last years win and runners up Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent will also be in the running for the top spot. Harry Meade, Boyd Martin, Tim Price and Laura Collett will join Ros and Oliver, plus Emily King, Bubby Upton, Gemma Stevens and David Doel.Leading Irish rider Austin O Connor, who finished third last year with Colorado Blue, will return with the popular grey plus Sixmilewater. Badminton is the pinnacle of the sport and I am excited to be heading there again, he said.British rider Sam Ecroyd will be one of the first-timers at the 2026 event.Riding at Badminton has driven my whole riding career, he said. Its been a long-time ambition for as long as I can remember and to be there this year with Boleybawn LeCrae feels surreal. I am very much looking forward to the challenge.Twelve nations will be represented, including Australia, Great Britain, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA.Its always a thrill that so many of the worlds top riders want to return to Badminton as well as the first timers aiming to tick the box and be part of history, said Badminton Director Jane Tuckwell. Its going to be another exciting competition and will provide, we hope, some pointers to medallists at the world championships in Aachen this year.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentRos Canters grid exercise to slow a keen or strong horse when youre jumpingFive gears a confident cross-country horse needs to haveDressage judges explain how to improve your test scoreTop tips to prepare you and your horse for competing outdoorsThe post Stars line up for Badminton Horse Trials 2026 appeared first on Your Horse.