Who has a plan B as Badminton? Only me, probably, said Belgiums Lara de Liederke-Meier, who piloted Hooney DArville into 14th place this afternoon (11 May).I wanted to go to Kentucky, because I think its a little bit more [like the] Europeans [in its] way of building, explained Lara, 37, who is aiming for a place at this Septembers European Championships, which will take place at Blenheim Palace.Derek [di Grazia, cross-country designer at Kentucky], builds what my horse has been used to in the past.Shes a really careful horse and its so so big [at Badminton] and sometimes she can take a look. I would have maybe liked to do another five-star before coming here but she has surprised me a lot of times in the past.The 12-year-old home-bred mare was rerouted to the UK fixture for financial reasons.I tried crowdfunding, but even if you finish third [in Kentucky] then you still dont break even after your transport costs, said Lara.We won Luhmuhlen 5* last year, but Im not arrogant enough to feel I could do it again. I thought [well go to Badminton instead] for experience and to keep learning, so I hope shes enjoyed it.Back on a homebredLara, who has a BSc in business administration and an MSc in business sciences, last came to Badminton in 2016.It feels really good to be back. I forgot how much the atmosphere is here, so special, said Lara, a mother-of-two who is married to German event rider and Belgiums eventing team trainer, Kai-Steffen Meier.I think its still the pinnacle of the sport. Im really happy to bring her here.Hooney dArvilles dam, Nooney Blue, was Laras ride at the 2010 World Equestrian Games the riders first senior team appearance and they were successful at junior eventing level together.Lara has represented Belgium at two Olympic Games including Paris last year four world championships and six senior Europeans.The pair scored 31.7 in the dressage and added 13.6 time penalties on the cross country to finish inside the top 20.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated 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 Badminton was a plan B for business graduate on homebred mare appeared first on Your Horse.