Switzerlands Nadja Minder isnt only competing at her first Mars Badminton Horse Trials this week (610 May 2026), but she is also riding the oldest horse in this years field. Her mount Toblerone (or Choccy, as he is known at home) is a 19-year-old veteran, and with two senior European Eventing Championships appearances under their belts, plus three five-star completions, he looks better than ever coming into this years Badminton. He feels better now than when I got him six years ago, said Nadja, who is 26-years-old. He has become more supple through work and everything, and hes just also an absolute athlete and machine.Nadja partly credited Choccys longevity in the sport to the fact he started eventing relatively late on in life, taking part in his first international event at the age of 11. As he started so late, he doesnt have the mileage of other 19-year-olds, states Nadja. He also doesnt need that much preparation as he is super-professional and I just can go from show to show, and do whats necessary. Help from one of eventings bestNadja previously based herself at Piggy Marchs Northamptonshire yard and Piggy is at Badminton to lend a helping hand this week. I arrived at Piggys place on Saturday to do the last polish, and she has helped me here over the past couple of days too, explains Nadja. We understand each other we speak the same language when it comes to horses. Sometimes it can be a bit risky if you work with someone just for a big show, but with her, it works totally fine. Speaking of making her Badminton debut, Nadja says: I said to my mum ages ago that I wanted to ride at Badminton one day, and then now to come here feels so unreal with my mum as my groom. Weve been on this journey together, and its a childhood dream and Im so grateful to her, to Choccy and to his owner, Nicole Basieux, for making it possible. Nadja was entered to run here with Choccy last year, but had to withdraw last-minute. We know how hard it is to get to one of these, so it feels special to finally do it this year, says Nadja, who scored 30.3 in the first phase today, which leaves them in equal seventh at the lunchtime break on day tow of dressage. Im very proud, reflected Nadja. Hes an absolute legend. He was quite lit up in the warm-up more than usually but hes such a professional and he tries so hard and just knows his job. Hes a chocolate legend! Image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentHow to watch BadmintonI pumped milk to flatten me out and away I go: Ros Canter sails into the lead at BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryI was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six-year absenceChange in warm-up plan pays off for New Zealands Jesse CampbellIt makes him at ease: American rider uses nosenet in dressage testThe post Hes an absolute chocolate legend!: rider reflects on being at her first Badminton on the oldest horse in this years field appeared first on Your Horse.