Kylie Roddy was thrilled to find herself in third place aboard SRS Kan Do (aka George) at the lunch break today (8 May) after making a number of changes to the horses preparation for this years Mars Badminton Horse Trials.The pair has failed to complete on their two previous appearances here, which is what prompted Kylies new approach.I dont think its anything to do with Badminton or George but hes always been an autumn campaigner, explained Kylie, who has twice finished in the top 10 with George at Pau as well as occupying sixth place at Luhmuhlen.His best results have always been in the autumn, so I didnt give him long off this winter and I kept him in work to see whether its like a body conditioning type of thing rather than a seasonal thing.Weve changed a few things at home and its made him a bit stronger, continued Kylie. Ive got these raised sleepers and he does 100 of them a day so that hes worked smarter, not harder, hopefully for all the right reasons.Thespian connectionsGeorge is owned by actor Michael Fox, who played footman Andrew Parker in Downton Abbey, and is now 15. He has been ridden by Kylie since 2015.The sleepers get him to hold himself through his back, because hes actually naturally a weak horse in the back, explained Kylie.Its about engaging his core, about lifting himself, making sure hes got the mobility in the joints because as they get older you dont necessarily want to put miles on the legs but you want to make sure that the exercises they do are relevant to the strength that that individual horse needs.Kylie also decided to tweak Georges schedule this year.I didnt run him too close to Badminton, because in the spring youre always trying to get runs in but he actually runs a bit better [when hes] fresher, so he last ran at Thoresby [in March]. I went to Kelso, but I didnt run cross-country, so I try to do what I do in the autumn, even though were in the spring. I just believe in thats what makes George amazing.Health kick for horse welfareGeorge is not the only one to undergo some changes. Kylie has also changed her diet and increased her exercise regime.I decided to be very miserable and eat 800 calories from the 14th of November and then in March when I went to Poplar [Park Horse Trials] I could then start upping my calorie intake, said Kylie.Ive been a miserable but smiley person inside. Its all for the greater good and George finds the whole job a bit easier. Ive been going to the gym doing a lot of strength and conditioning after I lost a lot of weight. Its all for the welfare of the horse. Their jobs got to be easier and thats the best thing for the horse so thats what we try to do.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentHow to watch Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2025Badminton app is relaunched with new interactive featuresBadminton unveils CCI5* cross-country course for this yearThe post How riders health kick and new training regime has transformed horse owned by Downton Abbey star appeared first on Your Horse.