An edge-of-your-seat conclusion to the Mars Badminton Horse Trials unfolded this afternoon (11 May), with crowd favourite Ros Canter pipping Oliver Townend to the title in the final moments.Oliver and his overnight leader, Cooley Rosalent, were the final combination to canter into the main arena and they couldnt afford even one fence to fall if they were to hang on to the win, after Ros and Walters copybook clear minutes earlier.Alas, the grey mare just tapped the front rail on a green Spillers oxer at fence 10 and it fell to the ground, victory slipping out of the pairs grasp in the process.Ros who dedicated this win to her much-loved late friend and mentor Caroline Moore had chosen not to watch Olivers round, instead remaining in the collecting ring. I dont want to wish bad on anyone, she said afterwards. However, she knew shed bagged a second Badminton title when she was swarmed by family and friends saying congratulations.Im not sure it was my best round as Ive been so nervous this morning, confessed Ros. As long as I do my horse justice then winning is the icing on the cake. Oliver is fantastic and [his] horse will have her day.Highs and lowsA total of 54 horses came forward to todays final showjumping phase and only five jumped clear inside the time. A further three went clear but picked up time-faults.One of these rounds came from Katie Magee and Treworra. The 43-year-old rider was left celebrating a dream Badminton debut when finishing best of the first timers in 11th.Oliver Townend didnt jump Ballaghmor Class. The 18-year-old grey was withdrawn after being sent to the holding box during this mornings final horse inspection.Cooley Rosalent also found herself in the holding pen, but she was passed on reinspection.The biggest disappointment of the day befell Gemma Stevens when Chilli Knight didnt quite get high enough during his round and knocked down five showjumps to drop from third overnight to finish 15th.Top 10 in picturesBelow are photos of the top 10 placed horses and riders in action today.1, Ros Canter and Lordships GraffaloNIKON Z 8 f/5.6 1/1250s 240mm ISO1400Ros and Walters first win here came in 2023. Since then they have won Burghley, claimed team and individual European gold, and helped Britain to team Olympic gold in Paris.Walter is the sixth horse in the history of Badminton to win here twice, but the first to regain the title the other horses won their titles in consecutive years.Im just the lucky girl who gets to pilot Walter, said Ros of the 13-year-old horse who is owned by Archie and Michele Saul.2, Oliver Townend and Cooley RosalentThat green rail cost Oliver Townend more than 50,000 in prize money 117,600 is awarded to the winner, while the runner-up receives 63,840.I cant be disappointed, shes only 11 and shes unreal, said Oliver of the mare who won Kentucky CCI5* last year. Shes been first, second and third at five-star level now. Weve had a good experience and she will come on for it.3, Austin OConnor and Colorado BlueFlying the flag for Ireland, Austin and Salty winners of the 2023 Maryland CCI5*, which was the first five-star title for an Irish rider in 58 years were one of only six combinations to pull off a clear cross-country round inside the optimum time yesterday.They showed their class when showjumping clear today too, finishing one second over the time giving them 0.4 of a penalty to add to their 30.8 dressage score.Its amazing the way he jumped and came out today. Hes better now than ever, said Austin. The pressure is massive and Ive had some disappointing rounds in the past [here] which has been frustrating. To be on the podium is amazing.4, Harry Meade and Cavalier CrystalHarry Meade came to Badminton double handed and he piloted both horses into the top 10. His best-placed horse, Cavalier Crystal in fourth, is one of only two horses to finish on their first-phase score,the other being Lordships Graffalo.A three-day event is a marathon and its a big journey to get here so Im really pleased with both horses, said Harry. Cavalier Crystal jumped her socks off. I cant remember her jumping a better round, he added after the final phase. 5, Emily King and Valmy BiatsEmily, who is the daughter of Mary a two-time winner here in 1992 and 2000 on the great King William and Star Appeal respectively lay fifth after dressage with this horse.They slipped to 11th after cross-country, enjoying a super clear round but picking up 7.2 time-faults, and climbed back up the order to fifth when they kicked out just one coloured fence this afternoon.6, Harry Meade and SuperstitionHarry rode his horses out of order, Cavalier Crystal jumping first in the afternoon session, leaving his better placed horse, Superstition, to jump later.However they switched around and Superstition was out-performed by her stablemate when she knocked down two showjumps. I had quite a dramatic round, but Im really pleased with how both horses performed this week, said Harry.7, Christoph Wahler and DAccord FRHThis German rider finished best-placed of the international visitors to Badminton. They knocked down two showjumps but only slipped one place down the order, from sixth after cross-country to seventh.8, Bubby Upton and ColaBubby and her horse of a lifetime, Cola, improved two places on last years 10th. They hit two coloured fences this afternoon but held on to eighth place.9, Tom McEwen and JL DublinTom and Dubs lay second after dressage but crashed out of contention when picking up 11 penalties for breaking a frangible pin in Equidry Huntsmans Close on cross-country day.This dropped them to 16th overnight, but they put themselves back into the top 10 by pulling off a beautiful penalty-free showjumping round one of only five combinations to do so.10, Tim Price and VitaliThe popular New Zealand rider rounds off the top 10 aboard Vitali, who had three showjumps down but was his customary brilliant self on cross-country day to come home clear inside the time.Vitali is not Gods gifts to showjumping and hes a bit airy fairy, said Tim. But he is a seriously incredible cross-country horse and Im proud of him.Final top 10The final leaderboard* is:Britains Ros Canterand Lordships Graffalo: 22.4, 0, 0, 0, 0 =25.3Britains Oliver Townendand Cooley Rosalent: 21.1, 0, 1.2, 4, 0 = 26.3Irelands Austin OConnorand Colorado Blue: 30.8, 0, 0, 0, 0.4 =31.2Britains Harry Meadeand Cavalier Crystal: 33.8, 0, 0, 0, 0 =33.8Britains Emily King and Valmy Biats: 27.3, 0, 7.2, 4, 0 = 38.5Britains Harry Meadeand Superstition: 31.8, 0, 0, 8, 0 =31.8Germanys Christoph Wahlerand DAccord FRH: 32.2, 0, 0, 8, 0 =40.2Britains Bubby Upton and Cola: 30.2, 0, 6, 8, 0 = 44.2Britains Tom McEwen and JL Dublin: 22.4, 11, 10.8, 0, 0 = 44.2New Zealands Tim Price and Vitali: 30.6, 0, 3.6, 12, 0 = 46.2*Format: nationalitys rider name and horse name, dressage penalties, cross-country jumping, cross-country time, showjumping, showjumping time = total penalty scoreView the final scoreboard in fullImages by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentAll the important news from BadmintonRos Canter and Lordships Graffalo make history with emotional second Badminton winWhen riding isnt your day job: Badminton contenders with interesting jobsA lifetime ambition fulfilled: 43-year-old is highest placed Badminton first timerThe post Time to celebrate! Top 10 placed Badminton horses and riders in pictures appeared first on Your Horse.