Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF are flying the Stars and Stripes in second overnight. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
We’re back at the Main Arena for another day’s dressage at Badminton and… it’s still not raining. Not a drop. We are being blessed and we are grateful.
First up, a brief look at the (especially exciting if you’re shouting for the States) top-3 as things stand after yesterday’s competition:
1️⃣ In pole position after the first day’s dressage is Great Britain’s comeback queen – Bubby Upton brought the house down with Cola and is sitting in the lead overnight on a score of 27.3.
2️⃣ 1.7 points behind, flying the flag for the US, are Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF on 29.
3️⃣ And rounding out the top three, just 0.8 behind, we have another one for the Stars and Stripes – Tiana Coudray with Cancaras Girl who are on 29.8.
Click here for the full scoreboard.
It really was a great day’s sport, with some emotional performances and some disappointments, but overall, what stood out were the many examples of horses and riders working together, of truly masterful riding, and harmonious partnerships demonstrating all the years of training that go into producing horses to this level, no matter where they ended up on the scoreboard.
Missed out yesterday? Don’t fret. Catch up with every step from Dressage Day One with the live blog – which you’ll find right here.
You’ll find our round-up reports of the day’s dressage here ▶️ [Morning] [Afternoon]
Today we’ll see the second half of the field have their turn between the white boards. Here’s a taster of what’s to come:
🇺🇲 The remaining two US combinations will take to the stage, with two Badminton debutant pairs coming up the center line: Grace Taylor and Game Changer are due to go at 10:48am BST / 5:48am ET / 11:48am CEST, and Alexandra Knowles and Morswood will enter the ring at 11:40am BST / 6:40am ET / 12:40pm CEST.
🇬🇧 There are even more heavy hitters from the home camp getting their Badminton campaigns underway today:
💎 Last year’s winner and Burghley runner-up, reigning European Champion, former World Champion and current World No. 2 Ros Canter brings 5* winner on his debut at the level Izilot DHI forward at 10:32am BST / 5:32am ET / 11:32am CEST.
💎 EquiRatings’ ones to watch after winning the Grantham Cup for a second year running, Emily King and Valmy Biats will come up the center line at 11:48am BST / 6:48am ET / 12:48pm CEST.
💎 Olympic team gold medalist and three-time 5* winner, including here in 2022, Laura Collett brings forward Hester for the mare’s first attempt at the level – they go at 3:03pm BST / 9:03am ET / 4:03pm CEST.
💎 Tom Jackson will be hoping the stats hold up as he comes back into the ring with his second ride, one of the best dressage horses in the field according to EquiRatings, Burghley runner-up Capels Hollow Drift – they go at 4pm BST / 11am ET / 5pm CEST.
💎 Everyone’s favorite video game star, three-time Badminton champion, Olympic silver medalist and former European Champion Pippa Funnell comes into the ring for a second go, today with MCS Maverick – they go at 4:08pm BST / 11:08am ET / 5:08pm CEST.
💎 And World No. 5 Harry Meade will come up the center line for a third time – the only rider to have three Badminton entries for as long as anyone can remember. He’ll finish up the dressage phase with Red Kite at 4:16pm BST / 11:16am ET / 5:16pm CEST.
🇮🇪 The remaining two Irish pairs will have their say today – 5* rookie combination Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint will go at 10:16am BST / 5:16am ET / 11:16am CEST, and Daragh Byrne and Kilcannon Ramiro will make their first trip up the Badminton center line at 12:20pm BST / 7:20am ET / 1:20pm CEST.
🇫🇷 We’ll see three French combinations between the white boards today:
💎 Arthur Marx brings forward family homebred Church’ile at 9:16am BST / 4:16am ET / 10:16am CEST.
💎 Finishing just outside the top-10 here last year and hoping to scoot up higher this time around, Luc Château and Viens du Mont go at 9:40am BST / 4:40am ET / 10:40am CEST.
💎 And Arthur Duffort will wrap things up for the French with five-time 5* finisher Toronto d’Aurois at 12:12pm BST / 7:12am ET / 1:12pm CEST.
🇳🇿 The Kiwis come forward in force today, including:
💎 Previous Badminton winner, Olympic and World Championships medalist Jonelle Price who brings Pau winner Grappa Nera into the ring at 9:24am BST / 4:24am ET / 10:24am CEST.
💎 World Championship medalist and three-time 5* winner Tim Price is here with Burghley dressage record-breaker Vitali – eyes on this pair as they canter up the center line at 12:04pm BST / 7:04am ET / 1:04pm CEST.
💎 And Olympic medalist and Burghley winner Caroline Powell brings Pau 5th place finisher and Maryland 6th placer Greenacres Special Cavalier forward at 3:52pm BST / 10:52am ET / 4:52pm CEST.
There is SO MUCH to be excited about for today’s competition, and I obviously didn’t have space here for all the stars – so here’s the full list of entries.
If you just can’t get enough info about this year’s competitors, then you’re in need of EN’s epic Form Guide, which you’ll find right here.
Getting the action going today is Britain’s Louise Harwood with Native Spirit – they’ll enter the ring at 9am BST / 4am ET / 10am CEST.
Have a look at all the ride times here.
If your appetite for all things Badminton is as insatiable as ours, I have good news for you – we’ve got your back with all the content from the 75th edition of the event you can handle. There’ll be live blogs from every phase, bringing you every minute of action from the dressage, cross country, and show jumping finale, and we’ll be summing the whole thing up in daily reports from every stage of the competition; we’ve got an in-depth cross country course preview, and the riders’ thoughts on what’s to come on Saturday coming your way. Keep it locked on to EN and click here for all things Badminton. As if that isn’t enough, we’ve got great IG content happening too @goeventing.
I’ll be bringing you live updates from the Main Arena throughout the day, so keep this page refreshed, and watch this space! If you’re catching up with this later and are the type to like things in order, scroll ⬇️ and read ⬆️. If going backwards is more your jam, have at it.
With all that said, it’s time to turn our attention to the center line as the second day of the 75th anniversary edition of MARS Badminton Horse Trials commences.
Take me to church, and go eventing!
EN’s coverage of MARS Badminton Horse Trials is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, your go-to source for science-backed nutritional support across all types of horses, disciplines, and needs. Click here to learn more about what KPP can do for your horse — thank you for supporting our wonderful sponsors!
MARS Badminton Horse Trials [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Tickets] [Radio Badminton] [Livestream] [Cross Country Course] [EN’s Coverage]
11:25am ET
And that’s a wrap on dressage at the 75th anniversary edition of MARS Badminton Horse Trials.
The clubhouse leaderboard as we head into cross country looks like this:
1️⃣ Leader of the pack after dressage is EquiRatings’ favorite for the win – Great Britain’s Ros Canter with Izilot DHI on a score of 25.5.
2️⃣ 2 points behind, also representing Britain is Thursday’s overnight leader Bubby Upton and Cola on 27.5.
3️⃣ And topping off the podium places after the first phase, for New Zealand, is Tim Price with Vitali on 27.7, just 0.2 behind.
4️⃣ The best of the US, Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF are right up there in 4th – they’re on a score of 29.
5️⃣ Just behind is Britain’s Emily King with Valmy Biats – on 29.2.
6️⃣ Another American sits right on their tails – Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl are on 29.8.
Click here for the full scoreboard.
And now we turn our attention to the best day – cross country day. Esteemed EN boss lady Sally and I’ll be live blogging our fingers off at 11:30am BST / 6:30am ET / 12:30pm CEST with up-to-the-minute updates of everything that transpires out on course – don’t miss it!
We’ll have a full round-up of this afternoon’s competition for you – Tilly’s fingers are flying across the keys as we speak – eyes on EN. If you want to catch up on yesterday, here are your links:
▶️ [Test-by-test live blog]
▶️ [Morning round-up]
▶️ [Afternoon round-up]
You’ll find the Friday morning round-up right here.
In the meantime, click here for all the Badminton content you can handle.
Once more, a shout-out to the eventing superfans in the States who chose dressage over sleep – One. Of. Us…
One more sleep ‘til cross country day! Go eventing!
11:08am ET
🇬🇧 Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Pau last season and finished 11th.
⏩ This is a relatively new ride for Pippa, having only been in the irons for the 2023 season.
Rider:
Recent(ish) 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 6th & 14th (22) 1st (03)
Badminton – 10th (23) 16th (19) 12th & 23rd (15) 6th (14) 56th (13) 1st (05) 1st & 6th (03) 1st (02) 9th (97)
Bicton – 2nd & 5th (21)
Luhmuhlen – 16th (23)
Burghley – 6th (23) 8th & 16th (22) 1st (19) 13th (18) 16th (13) 28th & 30th (11) 15th (10) 1st (03) 6th (02)
Pau – 11th & 15th (23) 3rd (07)
🏸 form: 3 time winner (19, 05, 02); 23 starts, 2 Armada Dishes, 9 top-20 placings
🔥 Olympic team silver 2000; team silver & individual bronze 2004
🥉 World Championships team bronze 2002; 5th individually 2010
🏆 European Champion 1999 & 2001
🥇🥈🥉 European team gold 1999; team gold 2001; team gold & individual bronze 2003; team silver 2015; team silver 2019
💵 Pippa was the first (and only in the long format) winner of the Rolex Grand Slam.
👑 She’s been awarded an MBE from the Queen of England for her services to equestrianism.
📚 She’s also a children’s author…
🎮 … and video game star.
📋 This gelding put down a 26.4 on his 5* debut last season and came back out this year with another score in the mid-20s. Eyes on for sub-30 👀
Winning the 4*-L at Bramham last season:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
This is our last rider of the day – and the first phase – as Harry Meade has withdrawn Red Kite.
Safe to say, MCS Maverick was a tad excited at the First Horse Inspection, giving a full on wave to the crowd and eliciting a massive “Wooooooo”. Let’s hope the lid is firmly on that for today, particularly as Pippa’s first ride, yesterday, did not go to plan with Majas Hope, who was also very excited to be at Badminton and unfortunately showed that in full during his test.
Pippa has a lead up the chute, apparently she’s been having a little trouble getting him down there for the familiarization. Maverick looks to be nicely with her and Pippa’s smiling, so that’s a good sign.
They start off with a very square halt which scores two 7s and a 7.5. Maverick looks to be very much on side. They get off into trot and show a lot of quality in the movements – lots of 7s and 7.5s coming in for them. There’s a lovely cadence to the trot and Maverick is in a very nice frame. Pippa’s really getting a tune out of this tricky ride.
They make the transition into walk and Maverick is still relaxed. He’s picking his head up every now and then, losing the contact, but he’s walking and is being very good and sensible. There’s a 7 for the extended.
The halt is very immobile, but it’s not square, and the reinback is very sticky – that scores 4s across the board and will be expensive. They get off into canter and there’s more of the same lovely quality as the trot work. He’s in a nice outline and there’s pleasing rhythm – lots of 7s and 7.5s coming in. The changes are all very good, no lower that 6.5 in any of the marks for them so far, and a few 7s. The extended canter scores an 8 from the judge at B and the stretch canter scores two 7s. There is a lot of very nice work happening and Pippa will be delighted with Maverick, for sure.
Huge strokes for Maverick and Pippa looks proud. What a good boy. He’s been in the Main Arena at Badminton in all the atmosphere of the Friday afternoon and stayed right with her the whole time. Superb riding, of course, and a horse showing lots of his potential. They go into 12th overnight.
Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick score 31.9.
11am ET
🇬🇧 Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 5th Badminton
2022 – 16th Badminton, 2nd Burghley
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 5th (23) 16th (22) 35th (19)
Luhmuhlen – 6th (23)
Burghley – 2nd (22)
Pau – 20th (23) 7th (21) 13th & 18th (18)
🏸 form: 5 starts, 4 completions
🤩 Tom trains with Pippa Funnell.
👖 His mom was a dressage rider and his dad’s a farrier.
📋 This pair put down a 28 here last season and a 28.9 at Burghley in 2022 – EquiRatings has ‘Walshy’ down as being amongst the best dressage horses in the field. Eyes on this one for a sub-30 score in this phase 👀
Ones to watch between the white boards:
Today’s Test:
Walshy looks really impressive as he canters ’round the arena before entering the ring. Tom means business. The first halt is dead square for 7s across the board. They get off into trot and it’s clear that Tom’s riding for top marks. The medium trot is expressive but there’s a little wobble, that’s because they’re trying so hard. The scores are consistently in the 7s in the early stages of the test – 7s across the board for the extended.
Ah, another one to spook at the unmanned camera in the flower box. That’s a real shame. But Tom is very quick to get Walshy back, and when they get to the walk it’s very relaxed. Walshy is attentive to Tom and stepping out really nicely – there’s an 8 for the extended walk. Ah, that corner, there’s a ghost there somewhere. But again, Tom moves straight on and they score an 8 for the halt.
They move into canter and the scores are a mixed bag – an 8, 7 and 5. Tom adds a bit of bend in that corner to keep Walshy’s eye off that camera, but the first change isn’t quite right and it’s 4s across the board. The second one is much better. Tom pushes for the extended canter and scores two 7s for that, and there’s a 7.5 in the scores for the stretch circle. Tom can’t really ride as bravely as he was at the beginning, he’s had to adapt to the horse underneath him today. That flower box has been very expensive, although they finish up with an 8 and a 7.5 for the halt.
That was a shame for them, and Tom looks pensive. Lots of lovely highlights though, just a lot of atmosphere here today, and a very annoying camera in a flower box.
Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift score 34.4
10:52am ET
🇳🇿 Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 30th Badminton, 6th Maryland
2022 – 5th Pau
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 30th (23) 29th & 31st (18)
Burghley – 20th (19) 31st (18)
Maryland – 6th (23)
Pau – 5th (22)
🏸 form: 16 completions, 3 Armada Dishes, 4 top-10 finishes
🔥 Olympic team bronze London 2012
🥉 World Championships team bronze 2010
🏆 Won Burghley 2010 with the late, great Lenamore
🤩 Caroline groomed for top-level eventer, turned commentator, turned course builder Ian Stark at the Atlanta Games in 1996.
📋 ‘Cav’ put down a 29 in the first phase at Maryland last fall and a 27.4 here at Badminton. Eyes on this one for a potential sub-30 score 👀
Cav’s back at Badminton after a successful debut last year:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
Cav was really showing off at the First Horse Inspection with lots of bouncy trot steps – although it was while Caroline wanted him to stand for the judges. He was clearly excited to be back at Badminton. He looks to be relaxed and happy in the arena as he comes forward for his test.
The halt is very good and scores a 7 from the judge at B, but there’s a canter stride on the way out when it should be trot. Caroline is straight on it though and they settle into the trot work. Cav really has got a lovely presence as she shows off her trot – lots of 7s coming in for them. She’s supple and expressive and obviously, Caroline’s riding a very positive test – 7.5s coming in for the later work.
Cav is really nicely uphill and moves in a very nice balance. This is a picture of a horse and rider in complete harmony. They drop into trot and very annoyingly a little jiggy jog happens in the extended walk, which drops the marks down to 6.5s and 6s. The halt is very good for two 7s and the reinback is very, very good for a 7.5. They get off into canter and there’s more lovely balance and rhythm on show. Boy, this pair have got their changes in order – there’s an 8 for the second one and all 7s and 7.5s for the rest. There’s 8s creeping in now. She pushes for the extended is rewarded with an 8.5 and an 8. Caroline can really ride this horse, and go for the great marks.
Caroline is delighted. So many pats for Cav and a big kiss. Lots of high marks scattered through this test, with scores getting even better as they went along. This really was lovely to watch. A great partnership and a horse who’s very happy in her work. So many pats as they’re walking out. They go into 7th.
Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier score 30.
10:44am ET
🇬🇧 Tom Rowland and KND Steel Pulse
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Pau last year and finished 21st.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 19th (23) 46th (22) 36th (19)
Burghley – 27th (18)
Pau – 21st (23)
🏸 form: 3 completions from 3 starts
👶 Tom first came to Badminton when he was just 11 months old! (As a spectator, not to ride.)
🤩 After leaving school, he spent two years as a working pupil with Mike and Angela Tucker. He’s been mentored by Pippa Funnell since 2000.
🤓 He can name every Badminton winner.
📋 ‘Dermot’ put down a 35.3 in the first phase on his debut at the level at Pau last season. He’s generally high-ish 30s at 4*.
Dermot makes his debut at the top of the sport:
Today’s Test:
Dermot is a lovely powerful looking horse and seems to be relaxed as he makes his way around the arena. The bell rings and they make their way up the center line. Tom’s ridden that very positively and the first halt is square. There’s a wobble on the way out but Dermot quickly picks up his rhythm and they make their way round for their trot work. Tom gives the judge at C a huge smile as he passes the box 🙂 And he should be very happy with Dermot so far, he’s trying hard and everything is happening accurately. It’s not pulling in huge marks, but it’s for sure a clear round.
They transition into walk and Dermot gets a little fussy in the contact. He’s nodding a little. It’s affecting the balance and frame in the walk work and the marks drop slightly. They manage a 7 from the judge at H for the medium though.
They halt at C, not quite square, and the reinback’s not straight and there are six steps not five. Scores in the 6s for those movements. They manage a clean change though and the canter work looks rideable and the horse is with him. The second change is better for 6.5s across the board, and so is the third. This pair are doing their best in the ring today, that’s very clear, although the highest marks aren’t really available to them at this point. They finish up with an excellent halt though for a 7.5 and 7.
Tom looks a bit disappointed, but overall Dermot stayed with him and worked hard. They made a nice picture of a good partnership. The crowd laughs as Dermot stops for a bite of Badminton grass. He deserves it.
Tom Rowland and KND Steel Pulse score 36.9.
10:36am ET
🇬🇧 Wills Oakden and A Class Cooley
Facts and Form:
Horse: Made his 5* debut at Pau last season but retired after a 20 out on cross country.
Recent form: Won the 4*-L at Blair Castle last year and was runner-up in the 4*-L at Ballindenisk earlier that season.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 12th (23) 25th (19)
Burghley – 5th & 8th (23) 13th (22)
🏸 form: 3 starts, 2 completions
👚 Wills loves to do the laundry and is in total charge of the washing machine at home.
🥒 He also enjoys pickleball (sounds delicious).
📋 ‘Felix’ put down a 31.9 at Pau. At 4* his first phase scores are consistently low-30s.
Wills and Felix not playing Pickleball:
Today’s Test:
We’re into our two horse riders now as we get back underway for the final session. We’ve got news in that Harry Meade has withdrawn Red Kite. That means there’s just five combinations to go now until we’ll know for sure who’ll be leading the pack as we turn our attention to tomorrow’s cross country.
Onto Wils and Felix, who are making their way ’round the ring waiting for the bell to ring to signal the start of their Badminton. This is another very elegant looking horse. She looks to be well on side with Wills as they wait for their turn in the ring.
They set off up the center line and start off in a very good square halt. They continue on in trot and Felix looks to be very rideable and attentive. Her steps are nice and rhythmical and clean – they score 7s across the board for the medium. She doesn’t have the biggest movement which means the scores are massive, but everything is very accurate thus far. The extended trot scores 7s across the board. There’s a little spook by that pesky flower box and a loss of rhythm, but Wills gets Felix quickly back.
They transition into walk and Felix is calm, there’s not the big steps needed for the best marks. Felix gets a little tense towards the end of the walk but halts square for two 7s and then performs the rein back accurately for two 6.5s. They set off into canter and Felix seems to settle a bit. The first change scores a 6 a 5 and a 5.5. The canter looks very rideable and the horse is obviously trying hard, but there’s a bit of a bobble in the next change, which scores a 3. There’s another moment in the corner but again, Wills gets Felix back with him very quickly. The final change is very good and scores a 7 and two 6.5s. They finish up with a square halt and there’s a cheer from the crowd.
Wills looks a little disappointed but overall that was a very nice test, just a couple of bobbles in the changes which were expensive. Felix was rideable and tried hard and seemed to be well within himself in everything asked of him.
Wills Oakden and A Class Cooley score 36.2.
10:11am ET
We’re heading into a short break now. No change to the top of the leaderboard.
Back in around 25 minutes – at 10:36am ET / 4:36pm CEST when we’ll wrap up the dressage at the 75th Anniversary MARS Badminton Horse Trials.
10:03am ET
🇬🇧 Laura Collett and Hester
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ first-timer
Recent form: She’s come out this season with two 7th place finishes at 4*-S, adding just a smidge of XC time to her dressage score in each event.
⏩ Hester was first produced by Jonelle Price before fellow Badminton competitor Alex Bragg took the reins in 2019. Laura took to the irons for the 2021 season.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: There may not be a ton of 5*s on her card, but she’s won 3 of them.
Badminton – 1st (22) 8th (11)
Luhmuhlen – 1st (23) 2nd (18)
Pau – 1st & 16th (20)
🏸 form: 5 completions – Armada dish presented in 2023
🔥Olympic team gold Tokyo 2020; 9th individually
🥇 European team gold 2023
👑 Laura was awarded an MBE from the Queen of England for her services to equestrianism.
1️⃣ She’s currently tied for the top of the BE leaderboard for the highest number of wins so far this season.
📋 This mare came out in 2024 with a 28.9 at 4*, but she’s more generally low-30s.
Ready to step it up to 5*:
Today’s Test:
Hester caught my eye at the First Horse Inspection as looking like a real sweet mare and my opinion is certainly not changed as she works around the outside of the ring waiting for the bell. She looks very rideable.
Laura chooses to enter up the center line in counter canter – that can help with straightness and balance. Laura obviously has total confidence in this lovely mare. The halt is super and scores highly and then the medium trot is very expressive – there’s an 8 in the scores for that. Hester really looks to enjoy her work and has a lot of quality in her movement – there’s another 8 for the 8m circle and two 8s and a 7 for the extended trot. The next circle gets an 8.5. What a brilliant start they’re making to this test.
They go into the walk section and the elegant picture continues. Hester is relaxed and totally with Laura and there are two 7s for the extended walk – there’s nice expression and suppleness through her body. The halt and reinback are accurate and they set off into canter.
Hester is just as rideable in the canter work. She’s working really nicely. But then she’s late behind in the first change and scores 4s across the board. The sweet mare doesn’t like to make a mistake and starts blowing through her nose. She’s trying too hard now, really and the second change scores a 2, 3 and 4. The third change is 4s across the board. These are expensive mistakes in what is otherwise a very, very well produced test. There’s an 8 in the scores for the extended canter. The only blip in all of this is the changes, but Laura will for sure have those sorted. She looks delighted with Hester at the end of the test. Wow, this is one to watch for the future – you heard it here first! They’ll be shooting to the top of leaderboards one day based on this, at her first 5*. Lots of very exciting work with some expensive changes.
Laura Collett and Hester score 34.1.
9:55am ET
🇬🇧 Alexander Bragg and Quindiva
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made her 5* debut here at Badminton last year, but like a lot of the competitors at that wet and wild Badminton edition, Alex pulled up on course when he felt like the mare wasn’t enjoying the ground. They came back out at Burghley and came 15th.
💃 As her barn name suggests, this mare is a bit of a ‘Diva’, but we all know that with great talent comes big personality!
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 36th (18)
Luhmuhlen – 3rd (19) 20th (17)
Burghley – 15th (23) 34th (16)
Pau – 29th (23) 18th (21) 4th &32nd (20) 4th (19) 5th (17) 5th (16)
🏸 form: 6 starts since his Badminton debut in 2017.
⏩ Alex was a farrier before he became a full-time eventer.
👖 As a kid, Alex competed in Pony Club mounted games – Alex’s three daughters are all keen Pony Clubbers too.
📋 This mare put down a 39.7 in the first phase at Burghley last year and a 34.3 here at Badminton. She came out this season with a score in the low-30s.
Tickled pink at Burghley:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
Alex was rocking the pink look on the jog strip on Wednesday – if he borrowed Harry’s pants (or Harry borrowed Alex’s jacket), then would have the full suit and would only be missing the cowboy hat to go full-on Ken/Will Faudree.
Diva looks to be ever so slightly on her toes as they come up the center line. There’s a good halt to start for a 7 from the judge at H, but we can see that she’s playing with the contact. They move into trot and she runs slightly through the medium, he head comes up and we can see there’s tension brewing. The extended trot is more secure but then she spooks at the unmanned camera in the flower box, as a few horses have today. Alex is sitting very quiet, giving the mare confidence and pressing her forward.
The come down into walk and Diva’s looking around a little. She thinks about jiggy jogging but listens to Alex when he says please walk. He manages that very long trot section really, really well.
Diva is very square and stable in the halt and they’re rewarded with 7s across the board. They move off into canter but there’s still obvious excitement bubbling. It comes out in the first change which scores 4s across the board – expensive. The second change is very good and scores a 7 and two 6.5s. Alex is brave in the extended canter on this hot horse and scores a 7 from the judge at B. He can’t go for the stretch today but he does maintain a rhythmical canter. They finish up with a very good final change and another lovely square halt which scores 7s across the board.
This was really well held together by Alex and Diva was obviously trying hard for him. There were some very nice parts but tension creeping in today.
Alexander Bragg and Quindiva score 37.6.
9:47am ET
🇬🇧 Libby Seed and Heartbreaker Star Quality
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made her 5* debut at Badminton in 2022 and finished 28th. Came back for another go at the level at Pau last year and finished 14th.
🐴 Libby has an embryo transfer out of Heartbreaker Star Quality, a 5-year-old whose grand-sire is William Fox Pitt’s former 5* ride and Badminton winner Chilli Morning. That means he shares bloodlines with Gemma Stevens’ ride here, Chilli Knight.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 28th (22)
Pau – 14th (23) 33rd (17)
🏸 form: Made her Badminton debut in 2022 and finished 28th.
🎓 Libby studied Medical Sciences at University and works full-time as an account manager. As an amateur eventer, she has just one horse in her string.
👶 She joined the Pony Club when she was just five years old and competed at Pau when she was 20.
📋 At Pau last year they put down a 33 in the first phase; at Badminton in 2022 it was a 33.4. At 4* they’re generally low- to mid-30s.
Flying off the broken footbridge on their way to a Badminton completion last year:
Today’s Test:
Goodness this horse looked beautiful on the jog strip on Wednesday – full props to all the grooms, but these white guys, kudos. I have a white horse and he not even the tiniest patch of him is ever even a little bit as white as Heartbreaker Star Quality. She’s a real picture again in the Main Arena today.
They get their Badminton underway with a very stable halt and move off into their trot work. There’s a little loss of balance and rhythm n the medium trot, which brings in a mixed bag of scores, but the mare is quickly back with Libby and the scores pick up as they settle into their work. There’s a nice expression in the extended trot which scores 7s across the board – a little shake of her head at the end will have lowered those scores slightly.
They move into walk and Heartbreaker Star Quality is relaxed and steps out nicely, there’s lots of purpose in her walk. They halt at C and score two 7s and a 6.5. The transition to canter is smooth and this pair really look to be working as one.
The canter work shows the same elegant quality as the trot and the changes are obviously well established – there’s a 7 for the first one. The second one’s not so good and scores two 4s and a 3.5, it was a bit muddled. Libby asks for the extended canter and the mare responds and then she lowers her neck nicely in the circle when Libby asks. The third change was expensive and then so is the fourth – 4s across the board, due to the fact they were late.
They finish up their test and Libby looks very pleased with her mare. They really did show up as a nice partnership who know each other really well. Some very nice highlights and a couple of expensive mistakes.
Libby Seed and Heartbreaker Star Quality score 37.3.
9:39am ET
🇬🇧 Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Pau in 2019 but was withdrawn before the second Horse Inspection. Came back out after/during the Covid hiatus and won the pop-up 5* at Bicton in 2021, where they finished on their dressage.
🧬 Chilli Knight’s sire is the former William Fox-Pitt 5* ride Chilli Morning, who was the first stallion to win a European top-level event when he became Badminton champ in 2015. He’s still the only stallion to have won here.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 6th (23) 20th (19) 4th & 22nd (18) 7th (17) 3rd (16) 16th (15)
Bicton – 1st (21)
Burghley – 7th (19) 3rd (17) 5th (14)
Pau – 2nd & 23rd (18)
🏸 form: Made her 5* debut at Badminton in 2007, 8 completions, Armada Dish presented in 2019
🥇 World Championships team gold 2018
🔥 Rio 2016
🧱 Gemma also competes on the international 5* show jumping circuit. This brave lady took on the big red wall in the Puissance class at London International in December. She’s also braved the enormous Hickstead bank when competing in the derby there.
📋 Chilli Knight is amongst the best dressage horses in field according to EquiRatings. They put down a 27.9 at Bicton on their way to the win in 2021, finishing on their dressage score.
Clear inside the time at 5* and finishing on their dressage to take the win:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
There’s the potential for a second-generation horse winner of Badminton here with Chilli Knight! Gemma looks to be going for it as she comes up the center line – two 7s and a 7.5 for the halt. She’s so accurate in her riding and will be throwing no marks away. Chilli Knight has a very rhythmical trot which has a nice cadence to it. It’s not the biggest or most expressive but it’s very accurate and is scoring 6.5s consistently with quite a few 7s.
They move into walk. The extended scores two 5s and a 4 as Chilli Knight tries his luck with a big of jiggy joggy. But the medium is much better. Then the halt is great – a 9 from the judge at B, very confident. They go into caner and the scores have crept up – there’s an 8 for the transition and two 7s for the first change.
Gemma’s really presenting this test beautifully. The canter work looks very easy for this horse and Gemma’s really showing him off. They go for the extended canter and are rewarded with two 7s and an 8 and there’s really good stretch in the circle as Gemma lowers her hands and asks Chilli Knight to take the contact and he responds very nicely.
It’s another great change to finish and then an 8 for the final halt. Gemma’s delighted. This horse really tried for her, was totally on her side. Overall this really showed what a great test rider Gemma is, and how well her horses go for her. They go into the top-10, in 9th.
Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight score 31.7.
9:31am ET
🇳🇿 Lauren Innes and Global Fision M
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 24th Badminton, 24th Burghley
2022 – 37th Badminton
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 24th (23) 37th (22)
Burghley – 24th (23)
🏸 form: Made her Badminton debut in 2022 with Global Fision M and has completed on both her previous attempts.
🧮 In her other life Lauren’s a full-time accountant – ‘Flipper’, Lauren’s only upper-level horse, spends his days in the field while Lauren’s at work.
⏩ You may think you’ve seen Lauren down as a British rider in the past, and you’d be right – last season, she swapped nationality, taking on her father’s Kiwi status.
📋 Potential fireworks alert 🎆 Flipper’s a bit of a quirky horse and can get hot, hot, hot. They put down a 45.3 at Burghley in the first phase and a 46.4 at Badminton last season. They were as high as 52.7 at Thoresby in 2023, when they found themselves warming up in an empty arena and Flipper got quite upset; it was a 50.9 there this year. They’ve been in the low-30s at 4* when Flipper puts his best hoof forward.
Flipper making sure everyone’s seen Lauren’s dressed for the occasion at the Coronation edition of Badminton last year:
Today’s Test:
Flipper was very bouncy at the Horse Inspection on Wednesday, having a very good look at the crowds. Let’s hope he’s had his fill of all that and focuses for Lauren in the ring.
It turns out, not so much. He’s very difficult for Lauren as he makes his way ’round the ring waiting for bell. There’s a wave to the crowds. Lauren does a great job getting him on board and they canter up the center line. Unfortunately the first halt is a bit too much for Flipper and his head comes up – it’s a 4 and a 3 for that. But he settles a bit better as he goes into trot. He is listening to Lauren, but here’s a bit of snorting and playing with the contact. He scores 7s across the board for the extended trot, showing what he’s capable of. He’s really go very nice paces, it’s just the tension – you can see it bubbling away.
They transition into walk and Flipper is very good at the beginning. It’s kind of speedy, and there’s still the head bobbing going on, but the quality of his paces means he scores a 7 and two 6.5s for the extended and two 7s and a 6.5 for the medium. There’s a bit of resistance in the reinback, which scores 4s across the board – the tension really shows there. But when he gets into caner he’s a little more settled. There’s still such quality in the work, despite the tension, although the changes really are difficult and show the tension up – a 2 and a 3 for the first one. But Lauren knows what she’s dealing with and is really riding the horse that’s underneath her on the day.
The final change is the best by far but then there’s a spook in the corner before they turn up the center line. They halt, Lauren breathes, the crowd claps and Flipper’s off again. He’s waving and spinning round and goes sideways out of the arena. Wow, Lauren really does ride this tricky horse sympathetically. The quality’s there, and the training, it’s just the excitement of the occasion.
Lauren Innes and Global Fision M score 41.1.
9:23am ET
🇬🇧 Selina Milnes and Gelmer
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Pau last season but was withdrawn before the show jumping.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: 24th Badminton 2022 and 8th Pau 2021
🏸 form: 3 starts, 1 completion
🐴 Selina is married to an equine vet and her brother is farrier to Team GB.
📋 They put down a 41.6 at Pau last year. At 4* their scores in the first phase range from the mid-30s to a hoof into the 40s.
Gelmer looks like a sweet kinda guy:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
Gelmer was very much up on his toes at the First Horse Inspection, hopefully he’s had plenty of time to settle into the Badminton atmosphere by now.
He does look to be attentive to Helen as they go around the ring, despite the atmosphere in the Main Arena that’s really buzzy now. They make a nice entry and score a 7 and two 6s to get their Badminton underway. Gelmer is really in a nice, uphill frame and hit trot work is elegant. There’s a lot of 7s coming in for them in the early stages of their test. Gelmer’s really working his socks off for Selina. There are some 7.5s coming in for the later lateral work.
They make the transition to walk and Gelmer gets to show off clear paces with a good overtrack in the extended – that scores a 7 from the judge at B. He really stays with Selina throughout the walk work and scores two 7s for the medium. The halt isn’t quite square which affects the reinback a little, but the marks are still solidly 6.5s and a couple of 7s.
Gelmer shows off his uphill frame again in the canter work and the first change is really good for a 7.5 and a 7. There’s an 8 for their half-pass left. This work really is very rhythmical and clean. Gelmer’s very expressive in his action and looks to have a lot of potential in this phase. The extended canter scores an 8, 7.5 and 7. He comes inward a bit in the stretch circle, rather than taking his nose forward and that scores a mixed bag. The final change is expensive – there’s a 2 in there. There are some discrepancies in a couple of those later marks, which will be reviewed so their overall score will be provisional – I’ll update it once it’s confirmed.
Overall, this gelding was really impressive with some excellent highlights. It was a shame about those expensive movements right at the end because this test really showed a lot of potential and a horse very comfortable with the movements.
Selina Milnes and Gelmer score 32.5.
9:15am ET
🇬🇧 Helen Bates and Carpe Diem
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Pau last season, finishing 23rd and adding only XC time to his dressage score.
👿 In the barn, Carpe Diem is affectionately known as ‘Diego’, although also ‘Demon’ as he tried to dump her not once but twice when she first sat on him as a four-year-old!
Rider: Made her 5* debut at Pau alongside Diego.
🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut this week.
👟 Helen has competed at Blenheim sans horse! She did a triathlon there in 2021.
📋 They put down a 37.7 at Pau last year on their debut at the level. At 4* they’re generally low- to mid-30s.
Seizing the day at their first 5* despite the downpour:
Today’s Test:
We’re back with the final two sessions of dressage from MARS Badminton Horse Trials. Getting us back underway after the lunch break is Helen with Diego.
We saw some cool pants on Alice Casburn at the First Horse Inspection on Wednesday, but Helen sure was giving Alice a run for her money with some pink floral flares. Groovy, baby.
The bell has rung for the afternoon’s session and we are on. Helen doesn’t rush into the ring following the bell, choosing to use her time. She comes up the centerline really positively and they halt nicely square for a 7 from the judge at H. Diego looked up slightly but Helen got his attention straight back on her and they set off in trot. There’s really nice cadence in this horse’s trot work. Helen’s able to push for the extended and gets 7s across the board. Diego’s nice and expressive, really elegant. There’s a little dropping back behind the content sometimes, which is keeping their marks mainly in the 6s and 6.5s.
The drop into walk and Diego starts to show a little tense. He’s got lovely swing through his back but the problems with the contact continue. There’s a little spook in the corner before the halt at C, which scores 6s across the board. The reinback is clean but not straight.
They set off into canter and Helen looks to be riding very tactically. The first change is tentative and scores two 4s and a 6. Diego is staying settled though, but very much looks to have a lot of excitement bubbling under there, and it’s coming out in the changes especially. He’s looking round in the extended canter, although shows a whole load of scope – that’ll be fun to play with on Saturday. The final change gets 4s across the board, Diego’s a little inattentive. They come round the corner and halt nicely.
Overall there was a lot of potential on show in this pair. They look to really know each other and there were some nice highlights at points throughout the test.
Helen Bates and Carpe Diem score 38.5.
7:28am ET
We’re heading into the lunch (breakfast if you’re Stateside) break now.
We’ve had some changes to the top of the leaderboard:
1st – Ros Canter and Izilot DHI on 25.3
2nd – Bubby Upton on 27.3
3rd – Tim Price and Vitali 27.2
4th – Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF on 29
Back in around 1 hour 45 minutes – at 9:15am ET / 3:15pm CEST.
7:20am ET
🇮🇪 Daragh Byrne and Kilcannon Ramiro
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Pau last season where an unlucky tumble for Daragh means they’re looking for their first completion at the level this week.
Recent form: 4th in the 4*-L at Ballindenisk last fall, a competition they won twelve months earlier. Most recently 17th in the 4*-S at the same venue this spring.
😍 Daragh and his dad bought ‘Kilcannon’ as an unbroken three-year-old from the Goresbridge sales. Daragh’s dad has never missed a competition and Daragh says the horse is his dad’s “pride and joy”.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut alongside Kilcannon at Pau last year.
🏸 form: Making his Badminton debut this week.
⚽ When he’s not eventing, Daragh enjoys Gaelic football.
📋 They put down a 38.1 at Pau on their debut at the level. At 4* their form in the first phase is generally mid-30s.
I’m guessing Daragh’s dad may have taken this pic of his “pride and joy” (the horse, also Daragh, but mostly the horse):
Today’s Test:
This horse really is a lovely type, he’s got such a powerful looking bum on him, which I’m sure he’ll put to good use as he takes on tomorrow’s fences. They make their way up the centerline for their first Badminton. They get off to a good start with a square halt. They set off into trot and that powerful backend really comes into play, the trot work is really active and expressive. It’s not always totally balanced though, which affects the marks, and there could be more bend in the lateral work for higher scores there. Consistently 6s and 6.5s so far, with some 7s.
There really is a lot of potential on show here. It’s only their second 5* so there’s still growing to do. They transition into walk and again, the stride is impressive – they score two 7s for the extended. The picture’s not quite all together for the higher marks. The halt is solid and the reinback is clean for 6.5s across the board.
They get a smooth transition into canter and the first change is very good for a 7 and two 6.5s – very solid work. The canter is very rhythmical and his back end comes through well, but there’s not the suppleness on show for top marks. This horse is really trying hard for Daragh, he’s listening and rideable and they look to be a real nice partnership. The bump the boards on the turn up the center line but they halt for two 7s and their Badminton is well and truly underway.
Overall this was a clear round for them, a really solid partnership on show and a horse who tried his best for his rider.
Daragh Byrne and Kilcannon Ramiro score 34.7.
7:12am ET
We’re just hearing that Arthur Duffort has withdrawn Toronto D’Aurois. They were meant to go next. It’s likely we’ll be having a short break as the next rider has their allotted time and is well within their right to stick to it. Just one more to go before the lunch break.
7:04am ET
🇳🇿 Tim Price and Vitali
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 7th Badminton, 4th Burghley
2022 – 10th Luhmuhlen, 3rd Burghley
🔥Tokyo 2020, 24th individually
⏩ Tim took over the ride from fellow Kiwi eventer James Avery for the 2021 season.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: Won 4 of the 5*s and been on the podium two of the three he hasn’t (already) won and top-10 at the other. He’s actually completed at all 7 5*s.
Adelaide – 9th (02)
Kentucky – 2nd & 18th (21) 3rd (19) 2nd (15)
Badminton – 7th (23) 20th (22) 10th (19) 12th (18) 3rd (17) 15th (15) 9th (14)
Bicton – 9th
Luhmuhlen – 9th & 10th (22) 1st (19) 4th (16) 15th (15) 1st (14)
Burghley – 4th (23) 3rd & 17th (22) 5th (19) 1st & 10th (18) 5th & 18th (17) 4th & 21st (16) 2nd (15)
Maryland – 1st (22) 3rd (21)
Pau – 34th (23) 1st (21) 3rd, 13th & 14th (20) 6th (19) 3rd & 29th (15)
🏸 form: Made his Badminton debut in 2004 and has nine starts and nine completions on his record; Armada Dish presented in 2018
🥉 World Championships team and individual bronze 2022; 2018 – 8th individually
🔥Tokyo 2020, 24th individually; Rio 2016
👩❤️👨 Tim is part of eventing super couple Team Price, competing against his wife, Jonelle, here this week.
📋 Vitali is ranked as the best dressage horse in the field by EquiRatings. He put down a record-breaking 18.7 at Burghley last year, the first sub-20 dressage score in the history of the event. He’s regularly in the low-20s and really is one to watch between the white boards. Eyes on this one 👀
Dancing their way into the record books:
Today’s Test:
Vitali sure looked keen and fit for the competition at the Horse Inspection on Wednesday. He was allowed to trot up out of order and go first down the jog strip in an effort to keep a lid on things, but he was obviously very excited to be at Badminton.
Are we about to see a challenge for the top of the leaderboard? Perhaps a record-breaking performance?
They come confidently into the ring and nail the first halt for an 8 from the judge at C. There’s an 8, 9 and 8.5 for the medium trot. He’s going for gold. This is being so positively ridden from Tim, he’s totally secure in the knowledge that he’s on a dressage star. Oh, the extended trot is marvelous – so expressive – an 8 and and 8.5 for that. There are 8s running right throughout these early scores.
Vitali really is shining. He’s so soft and supple and obedient – with Tim’s super accurate riding that makes for a very polished test. They transition to walk and score an 8 and two 7s for the extended. Vitali really does have a smart walk. The halt is perfectly square, for two 8s, but the reinback is a little sticky and it’s 6.5s for that.
They go off into canter and things pick straight back up. This horse is so solid in all of his work – the changes are 7.5s. Vitali’s really light on his feet and very elegant in his steps. There are 8s for the third change. The extended canter is great, and scores another 8. The final change didn’t quite happen for them, an expensive mistake that scores 5s and a 4. The final halt isn’t held either for 6s across the board.
But this really has been a beautiful test, performed beautifully and showing beautiful training. Those last mistakes will have made a big difference to the score.
It goes into 3rd, knocking Boyd off the podium as things stand and slotting in behind Bubby.
Tim Price and Vitali score 27.7.
6:56am ET
🇬🇧 Holly Richardson and Bally Louis
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: 22nd at Burghley last year on his debut at the level.
😍 She describes the gelding as “a proper good boy” who would never do anything naughty.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: Made her debut alongside Louis at Burghley last year.
🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut.
🎓 Holly has a postgraduate degree in Equine Research.
📋 They put down a 36.9 at Burghley in the first phase. Louis can get tense between the white boards with scores ranging from the mid-30s to sometimes into the 40s at 4*.
Good boy Louis jumped clear cross country on his first attempt at 5*:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
Holly was right at the top end of the arena when the bell went and she has to go all the way back down to enter the ring. Louis gets a little excited but she gets him back before they come up the center line. They set off into trot and Louis seems happy and is really listening to Holly. The scores are consistently in the 6.5s with some 7s coming in, as they do for that very tricky, tiny 8 m circle. There’s such a lovely harmony between horse and rider, they’re obviously a very nice match.
They transition to walk and there sounds to be a plane going over. A little tension creeps in and there’s a loss of contact – they score a 4, 5 and 5.5 because of that. The medium walk is very nice though and gets a 7, and it’s 7s across the board for a nice square halt.
The get off into canter and there’s definitely more and more tension. It’s showing up in the changes which drop the marks – the third one gets a 2 and a 3. Louis’s kind of sneezing a little, but Holly’s staying calm and riding really sympathetically. He’s clipped the board a couple of times. He’s still listening to Holly, but is finding it hard to focus in this big atmosphere.
Overall there were some very nice moments, but some expensive mistakes and tension creeping in towards the end. The whole way through we saw very sympathetic riding from Holly and a nice picture of a horse and rider partnership.
Holly Richardson and Bally Louis score 37.7.
6:48am ET
🇬🇧 Emily King and Valmy Biats
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 24th Luhmuhlen, 25th Burghley
2022 – 8th Pau
🏆 Winner of the Grantham Cup at Thoresby this year, retaining their title from 2023. This win put them on EquiRatings’ radar as being in with a shot at Badminton.
✨ The gelding is on the World Class Podium Potential program.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: 4th on her debut at the level in 2015 at Pau.
Luhmuhlen – 24th (23)
Burghley – 25th (23)
Pau – 8th (21)
🏸 form: Retired on cross country last year in a display of excellent horsemanship – ‘Val’ was going really well but Emily decided that he wasn’t enjoying the very wet going and so walked home. She’s had 4 Badminton starts and is looking for her first completion here this week.
🏆 British Under-25 Champion 2018
🏃 Emily’s hot to trot – she ran the London Marathon last year, raising money for The Brain and Spine Foundation.
📋 They put down a 30 in the first phase at Burghley last season and a 28.4 at Luhmuhlen; here at Badminton it was a 31.3. At 4* this pair are regularly low- to mid-30s.
In Emily’s words, Val’s been “pretty dayumn epic” on his run up to Badminton:
Today’s Test:
Emily truly has had a run of bad Badminton luck so we’re all rooting for it to come good for her and the lovely Val this time around.
Emily sure looks like she means business – a very professional entry and an halt which scores an 8.5 from one judge – such balance and cadence. Val has such a lovely way of going, he’s so uphill and supple, which he’s really showing off in his trot work. This is being very deliberately by Emily and is pulling in big marks – 7s, 7.5s and some 8s.
There are more 8s coming in for some of the later lateral work and then a very nice transition into walk. Val is relaxed and stepping cleaning and there are more 7s and 7.5s coming their way. There was a tiny bit of tension momentarily before the halt, but it scores two 7s. The reinback is affected though and the scores drop. They shoot back up as this pair go into canter.
The canter is a very nice rhythm and Emily really is riding for every single mark, and getting them – 7s, 7.5s and a some 8s. The first change is great and then the extended canter scores a 9, 8 and 7 – she really went for that.
There’s not the stretch needed for the big scores in the circle, but they come up the center line and finish up with an 8.5 and 8 for the final halt. Val’s ears have been so soft and relaxed throughout this test really. He’s been so happy in his work and Emily really rode the best I’ve ever seen her – so purposeful, she’s in it to win it.
They go into 4th on the leaderboard, just behind Boyd Martin.
Emily King and Valmy Biats score 29.2.
6:40am ET
🇺🇲 Alexandra Knowles and Morswood
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 18th Pau
2022 – 8th Maryland
2021 – 11th Maryland
🫚 ‘Ginge’ was originally produced by Piggy March, before Ireland’s Susie Berry took over the reins. He’s been with Allie since 2018 and she’s brought him up up from 2* to the top of his sport.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: Made her 5* debut at Kentucky in 2013 and had her first completion in 2016.
Maryland – 8th (22) 11th (21)
Pau – 18th (23) 21st (17)
🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut.
🤩 Allie trains with Ian Stark.
📋 They put down a 33.3 at Pau last season and a 35.8 at Kentucky before being eliminated out on cross country. He’s been sub-30 at 5* with a 28.8 at Maryland in 2022.
Ginge is crossing the Pond to make his Badminton debut:
Today’s Test:
Allie and Ginge come into the ring and their Badminton has begun. They’re dead straight up the line and start off with a lovely straight halt, for a 7. They set off into a really well-balanced trot and show good expression in the medium for 7s across the board. Everything looks very smooth as they move between the different elements – lots of 7s for them so far.
There’s a tiny loss of rhythm at the beginning of the extended trot, which affects their mark a little. But the marks are straight back up and there’s an 8 for the transition to walk. Ginge starts off nice a relaxed, he doesn’t have the biggest walk for the big scores, but gets a 7 for the medium. He shifts slightly in the halt and gets a 4 from one judge, but the reinback is solid and scores 6s across the board. They transition smoothly to canter.
Ginge has such a solid first change and scores a 7 from one of the judges but the second is late behind and gets 4s across the board – same for the next one. Allie opens him up for the extended but he doesn’t have the biggest scope, really, but he does enjoy the stretch circle and gets two 7s for that.
This is a real clear round kind of test. Ginge looked well within himself and secure in his work on the whole. He seems to be enjoying Badminton, he’s having a good look ’round and appreciating the applause.
Alexandra Knowles and Morswood score 35.6.
🇳🇿 Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Pau last year but was eliminated on the cross country.
Recent form: 4th in the 4*-S at Thoresby this season.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 11th (21)
Badminton – 19th (19)
Luhmuhlen – 19th (18)
🏸 form: Completed on his Badminton debut in 2016, returned in 2017 but didn’t complete. Came back in 2019 for a top-20 finish.
🔥Tokyo 2020, 22nd individually
⚡ When he was 21, Jesse was one of nine event riders selected for the New Zealand Eventing High Performance Squad to be based in the UK. He was the youngest rider selected. Mark Todd was also on the squad.
🤩 He trained with Mark Todd and worked for Andrew Nicholson before setting up his own yard.
📋 The gelding put down a 39.5 at Pau on his debut at the level last season. He can go mid-30s at 4* but can also have a hoof in the 40s.
Game face on and go:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
We’re back with the final session before the lunch – breakfast if you’re Stateside – break. Before we get going, Good Morning America (now it’s a reasonable time to be getting up).
Jesse and Cooley Lafitte are just making their way around the ring as they wait for the bell. Apparently Jesse’s mom was going to watch from home in New Zealand, but decided at the last second she just had to be there to see him at Badminton and got straight on a flight and has made it just in time!
Jesse and Cooley Lafitte come straight up the center line and stands very square, but there’s a bit of a loss of attention as the gelding’s head comes up and there’s a big tail swish. Jesse quickly gets him back and they set off into trot. It starts out really nicely for 7s across the board for the medium, but then there’s a little spook in that corner and that really affects the 20m circle, which Jesse does incredibly well to rescue. They’re back on track quickly and Cooley Lafitte looks to settle by the end of the trot work.
They transition down into walk and the gelding really is staying very relaxed considering how excited he seems underneath. Jess really does a great job, he obviously knows his horse. There’s some tension in the halt and reinback, but they’re both accurate enough for 6s in the scores. They set off into canter and the marks improve. This horse really has a lovely rhythm and there are 7s coming in for them in this part of their test. The second change gets 7s across the board. Jesse’s able to push for the extended, although there’s still some tail swirling happening out back. Cooley Lafitte comes back nicely for Jesse and then he produces another great change.
They finish up and Jesse lets out a big breath. You can see just how hot Cooley Lafitte is as he looks ’round after his test finishes. Jesse rode brilliantly and sympathetically and there was some very secure work on show, not least in the changes, which we all know are tricky.
Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte score 35.7.
6:12am ET
We’re heading into a short break now. There’s been a change at the top of the leaderboard – Ros Canter and Izilot DHI have gone into the lead on a score of 25.3.
Back in around 20 minutes – at 6:32am ET / 12:32pm CEST.
6:04am ET
🇬🇧 Gubby Leach and Royal Harvest
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ first-timer
Recent form: 22nd in the 4*-S at Burnham Market last month, adding just a smidge of time to his dressage score.
😍 Gubby says he would trust Royal Harvest to give his kids pony rides.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: 2 Burghley completions (2016 & 2017)
🏸 form: Made his Badminton debut in 2017, looking for his first completion.
🎁 Gubby was given a foal by his godfather for his 10th birthday, which he produced up to 3*.
🤩 He’s trained with Richard Meade (Harry Meade’s dad) and Pippa and William Funnell.
📋 He’s generally a mid-30s kind of guy, sometimes putting a hoof a bit higher. But come the jumping phases, he rarely puts a hoof wrong and regularly finishes on his dressage score.
5* ready:
Today’s Test:
This is our last combination before the break.
They come into the ring and have a bit of a stutter in the halt – but it’s scored well with a 7 from the judge at B. They set off into a safe kind of trot, there’s nice balance and rhythm but this horse isn’t a really big mover. They’re off the line in the shoulder-in and score 6s across the board. There’s not the push for big scores in the extended. The scores have been consistently in the 6s for the trot work.
Aside – EN’s epic form guide is getting a shout-on from the commentary box!
The walk is settled and the steps are clean, but there’s not the big movement for higher marks, although the medium scores a 7. They get a very square halt at C, which Gubby’s really brave to correct to make it so, but the reinback’s a little sticky. They transition to canter smoothly.
The canter is similar to the other work – secure and clean, well within the horse, but not extravagant. The changes are clean. There are a couple of 7s for some movements, like the extended canter, but on the whole this is mostly 6s.
Gubby looks really pleased at the ed of his test – and it’s a great end with an 9 and two 7s for the halt. Overall this was a very secure clear round in the dressage and a very pleasing picture of a horse and rider working really well together.
Gubby Leach and Royal Harvest score 36.5. (Provisional, there was a discrepancy in at least one of the movement marks, so that’ll be reviewed. I’ll update once the score’s confirmed.) Update: Still showing as 36.5.
5:56am ET
🇬🇧 Harry Mutch and HD Bronze
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Completed on his 5* debut at Badminton in 2019 and was 18th at Bicton in 2021.
🌟 Since Harry took on the ride on ‘Fernando’ in 2015, they’ve been placed at every level except 5*.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 56th (19)
Bicton – 18th (21)
Burghley – 28th (23)
🏸 form: Completed on his debut at the level here in 2019.
🚗 Harry started riding aged 13 by accident. There was a broken down car and a riding lesson booked for his dad, which Harry went to, and the rest is, well, history.
🏉 Harry played rugby as a kid and wasn’t interested in horses at all.
👖 Harry’s great uncle completed Badminton a number of times.
📋 Put down a 32.1 at Burghley last season before retiring out on cross country. This pair are generally low- to mid-30s in the first phase at 4 and 5*.
So much better than rugby:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
They come straight up the center line and they start off in a square halt for a 9 an 8 and a 7.5 – super start for them! There’s a lot of swing in the trot work and it’s elegant and soft. The lateral work doesn’t have the bend for the top marks, and it’s a little wobbly, but the scores come back up to 7s for the extended. There’s a break in pace in the 8 m circle – 4, 5 and 5.5 for that – a shame and an expensive mistake in what’s been a solid test so far.
They transition to walk and Fernando looks relaxed and attentive. Harry’s able to really ride him. But then the halt shows the excitement under the surface and the reinback is really difficult. They strike off into canter and things settle down again.
The scores come back up on the whole for the canter work – lots of 7s and some 6s coming in. The changes are super secure and scoring 7s. They’ve really settled in to a lovely rhythm and score 7s across the board for the extended. There’s a real quality of movement for a lot of this work. There’s an 8 for the final halt.
Overall this was a very polished test. We can see that Fernando’s fit and excited for the cross country as he canters out of the arena. Harry clearly did a fantastic job disguising that during his test. Great riding and a horse who is very secure in his work. They go into the top-10 as things stand.
Harry Mutch and HD Bronze score 32.6.
5:48am ET
🇺🇲 Grace Taylor and Game Changer
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Burghley last season but was withdrawn before the show jumping after jumping clear ‘round the cross country.
Recent form: 9th in the 4*-L at Bramham last season, adding just a smidge of XC time to his dressage score.
Rider: Made her 5* debut alongside Game Changer at Burghley.
🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut.
👖 Grace is the daughter of two top-level eventers. Her mom represented the US at the 1988 Olympics and was later team selector and chef d’equipe for USEF; her dad represented Britain at the European and World Championships the same year and is currently on the British team selection committee. Both her mom and dad competed at Badminton and Burghley.
🤩 Grace has worked for Oliver Townend as well as Karen O’Connor and Marilyn Little.
📋 They put down a PB of 28.9 at Burghley on their first time at the level. Eyes on this one for a potential sub-30 score 👀
Going for a first 5* completion here this week:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
Grace takes her time to circle a couple of times before she enters the ring after the bell’s run. They show really impressive immobility in a square halt for a solid start. They set off into trot but there’s a bit of a break in the medium trot – there’s a 4 in the scores for that. Game Changer seems to settle into things quickly though. This horse does look to be feeling the atmosphere, but he’s listening to Grace and everything’s accurate. They’re not pulling in the big marks for big movements, but they’re steady and working nicely together.
The walk work is very good – there’s two 7s for the extended. There’s a really nice quality to the steps and Game Changer is relaxed and stepping through. The halt and reinback are accurate and they strike off into canter smoothly. Grace is really riding this test for every mark she can get – it’s so correct, and it really shows up in the changes – the preparation is so accurate and there are 7s in the marks. They score a 7 and a 7.5 for the extended canter and more 7s for the stretch circle.
They finish up with a very good halt for 7s across the board. This test grew into itself as it went along. Lots of potential on show here and a real picture of a horse and rider working together in harmony, and a horse who’s very settled and secure in his work.
Grace Taylor and Game Changer score 35.4.
5:40am ET
🇬🇧 Felicity Collins and RHS Contend OR
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2022 – 21st Badminton
2021 – 10th Bicton
👻 ‘Mickey’ is notoriously spooky and Felicity describes him as like “riding an eel”.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 21st (22)
Bicton – 10th (21)
🏸 form: Made her Badminton debut in 2022; eliminated last year after a tumble on cross country.
📋 They put down a 34.4 here last year and a 33.3 at Burghley in 2022. They’ve been consistently low-30s in the first phase over the last season.
👖 Felicity’s mom competed to 5* in the 1990s.
Sitting back and kicking on:
Today’s Test:
This is another beautiful, bold bay gelding. It won’t have been easy coming in after Ros, when the crowd was lit up. But Felicity’s giving Mickey confidence and they get off to a good start with three 7s for the halt. They set off into the trot work and this horse really does look rideable. They’re scoring consistently 7s. Felicity pushes for the extended – 7s across the board – but then there’s a little spook at the flowerpot in the corner. Felicity gets him back on board and they continue on.
The walk work is settled but there’s not much punch to the steps and there’s a little problem with the contact, he just drops back from it every now and then – that’s keeping the marks in the 6s, but there is a 7 for the medium.
The halt at C scores 7s across the board and the reinback is very clean – there’s a 7.5 for that. They get a smooth transition into canter and some tail swishing is creeping in, indicating a little tension perhaps. The marks are creeping into some 7s for the canter work, but the changes drop the scores slightly. Felicity’s really riding the horse that’s underneath her in this test. It’s basically a clear round so far. She’s brave in the extended for two 7s. They come back up the center line and halt square – there’s an 8 for that from the judge at B. There’s a big clap from the crowd and it looks like Felicity’s boot’s come undone.
Overall, there was some nice work in this test and the horse looked to be trying hard for Felicity.
Felicity Collins and RHS Contend OR score 34.5.
5:32am ET
🇬🇧 Rosalind Canter and Izilot DHI
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Won Pau last season on his debut at the level.
👻 ‘Isaac’ is known to be spooky and Ros sometimes has to ghostbust as they gallop ‘round the cross country.
🌶️ Comin’ in hot! This guy has 9 wins under his cinch from 21 FEI competitions. Last season, in 6 starts he picked up 3 wins, a 2nd and a 4th. He’s understandably EquiRatings’ favorite for the win here this week.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 1st & 9th (23) 2nd & 12th (22) 3rd (18) 5th (17)
Bicton – 4th (21)
Luhmuhlen – 3rd (18) 9th (17)
Burghley – 11th (22)
Pau – 1st & 24th (23) 17th (20) 5th (19) 5th (18) 7th (17)
🏸 form: Reigning champ with three podium finishes.
2️⃣ World No. 2
🏆World Champion 2018
🏆European Champion 2022
🥇 European team gold 2022 & 2021
🗺️ World Championships 2022, individually 4th
🔥 Olympic traveling reserve for Tokyo 2020
📋 This dude can seriously dance! At 4* he’s been as low as 18 in the first phase. At Pau he put down a 24.3 and added just a smidge of time across the competition on his way to the win. Eyes on this one 👀 He’s the second best dressage horse in the field according to EquiRatings.
When you come out and win your first 5*:
Today’s Test:
Now, we know this guy can be spooky, but he took to the jog strip on Wednesday like an old pro. Fingers crossed for more of that today please Isaac. He certainly looks settled as they make their way ’round the arena. William FP predicts that we’re watching our Badminton winner here.
They start up with a dead straight entry and a perfect square halt for 7s across the board. Isaac’s so attentive to Ros, totally with her. The medium trot scores an 8 and two 7.5s and they nail the first 8m circle for another 8. This horse has got such a lovely presence and cadence. There are more 8s for the shoulder-in and another one for the extended trot. Lots of high marks coming in – and there’s an 8.5 for the hall-pass right – the highest score I can remember seeing so far this year.
They go into the walk work and Isaac is so free moving, and responsive. They score 7s across the board for the extended (William FP would have given it 8s!). There’s a tiny spook in the medium but then a brilliant halt for 8s across the board. The reinback also scores an 8 and there’s a 9 for the canters.
There’s just so much quality to this guy’s movements, everything so soft and willing and Ros, of course is riding superbly. There’s an 8 and two 7.5s for the first change, and then the second – probably the best changes we’ve seen so far this year. The extended canter scores a 8 and two 8s – so impressive, bold and scopey. He has a little spook in the corner but he turns straight up the center line and halts totally square.
The crowd knows this is good, there’s a cheer and a massive clap. Such a treat to see such quality. William FP is not happy with the marks – he thinks they should have been higher. Two 8s in the collectives. They’re going into the lead, for sure.
Rosalind Canter and Izilot DHI score 25.3.
5:24am ET
🇬🇧 Emma Thomas and Icarus
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: ‘Stix’ made his 5* debut at Burghley last season and finished 18th.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: Made her top-level debut alongside Stix at Burghley.
🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut.
🤩 Emma was inspired to go eventing when she watched Nicola Wilson’s Opposition Buzz going cross country at Badminton.
🎹 As well as eventing, Emma’s also a whizz on the piano.
📋 This guy’s known for being a difficult ride, particularly on the flat – they put down a 38.5 at Burghley last year; at their FEI runs since then they’ve been in the 40s.
This pair leapt up to 5* last season and added just XC time to their dressage score:
Today’s Test:
Best footwear on the jog strip on Wednesday was for sure Emma’s floral biker boots – very cool choice, Emma.
Stix looks very lit up as they come forward to circle the Main Arena. His head’s up and he’s jiggy jogging – William FP in the commentary box thinks Stix really wants to be going into the start box. Hopefully he’ll settle once they get properly underway. Emma takes her time entering the arena after the bell rings. She’s using up every second. In fact, it seems like she took a little too long.
She canters up the center line and they trot for a few strides into the halt. Stix has his head up and doesn’t really stand – it’s 4s for that. They set off into trot and Emma does seem to have got his attention. There are moments when he loses it, which affects the balanced. He’s griding his teeth, showing tension. The scores are consistently in the 5s and 6s for the trot work.
The drop into walk and actually, Stix does really well. His head’s up but he does walk the first part. There’s a jiggy jog starting, but Emma does a great job and he shows a bit more walk, then a bit more jog.
The halt is very difficult – a 4, 2 and 1 for that – and the reinback goes off into the middle of the ring – two 4s and a 3 for that. Unfortunately things get more tense in the canter – there’s lots of breaks of pace and the head carriage is a bit of a problem. But Emma does a great job to get him going for parts and she’s actually very brave in the extended, and Stix comes back to her actually quite nicely. She obviously can’t drop her reins for the circle. They come back up the center line and Emma can breathe a sigh of relief that there weren’t fireworks happening – she did a very sympathetic job on this very hot horse.
They leave the arena sideways and backwards and we see the result of all that hotness in their score.
Emma Thomas and Icarus score 51.2.
5:16am ET
🇮🇪 Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint
Facts and Form:
5⭐ rookie combination
Horse:
Recent form: 4th in the 4*-L at Blair Castle last season; 29th at Burnham Market this year where they added just 8 XC time penalties to their dressage score.
🧬 RCA Patron Saint is by Grafenstolz – the sire of William Fox-Pitt’s ride here, Grafennacht, and last year’s Badminton winner, Ros Canter’s Lordships Graffalo.
Rider:
🐴 Lucy’s a one-horse rider.
👖Lucy’s granddad competed at Badminton and Burghley and her cousin has completed Badminton four times. Another cousin, Robert Powell, won the English Grand National in 2007.
📋 This combination trend low- to mid-30s at 4*.
Lucy’s got bravery, fortitude and grit in her genes:
Photo via Hands and Heels.
Today’s Test:
We’re back from the break with a rookie horse and rider combination – their first 5* at Badminton, how exciting for Lucy.
RCA Patron Saint looks as picture as he makes his way ’round the arena. He’s a bold, powerful type of a guy. They halt to begin and the gelding picks his head right up for a really good look round – two 5s and a 4 for that. Hopefully he’ll settle as they move into their trot work.
And he does. There’s 7 for the medium trot. There could be more bend for higher marks in the lateral work but Lucy pushes for the extended which is balanced an scopey – that scores a 7 and two 6.5s. The 8m circles are a little big but overall the trot work showed a nice picture of a horse and rider working together.
They set off into the walk section and this horse really does have a nice walk. There’s lots of quality on display and the medium pulls in more 7s. The halt is much better at C and there’s another 7 for that and the reinback is clean. The canter transition is smooth and Lucy shows a good difference in the canters. The first change is great – two 7s and a 6.5.
Again, the lateral work could show a little more ben for higher marks. The second and third changes aren’t quite as good as the first, a little late behind, but they still pull in 6s and 6.5s on the whole. There is some stretch in the circle, but it’s down rather than down and out. The final change is clean and they halt on the center line for big pats and a proud moment as they complete the first phase at their first 5*.
Lots of potential on show from this pair.
Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint score 36.8.
4:56am ET
We’re heading into a short break now. No changes at the top of the leaderboard so far.
Back in around 20 minutes – at 5:16am ET / 11:16am CEST.
4:48am ET
🇬🇧 Francis Whittington and DHI Purple Rain
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 22nd Badminton, 19th Burghley
2021 – Bicton 14th
💜 DHI Purple Rain’s barn name is, of course, ‘Prince’.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 22nd (23) 21st (16) 15th (09)
Bicton – 14th (21)
Burghley – 19th (23)
🏸 form: 7 completions, Armada Dish presented in 2016
🔥 Olympic reserve Beijing 2008 & London 2012
🦷 Francis worked in equine dentistry before becoming a full-time eventer.
👖 Francis’ sister has competed at 4* and his son show jumps and events.
📋 Prince can get quite worked up between the white boards – he kept his cool at Burghley last season and posted a 34.1 in the first phase; at Badminton, not so much – it was a 41 here last year. He made up for it on the cross country though, eating up the muddy ground and looking to thoroughly enjoy himself.
Could this be the most beautiful horse in the world?:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
We’re on our last combination before the first break now.
Prince did not disappoint the crowd at the Horse Inspection on Wednesday. Francis had to convince him to even go up the jog strip, then he danced round on his toes showing off his very fancy footwork and extravagant action. Let’s hope that wasn’t indicative of how he’s feeling today.
Prince starts off by spooking at the cross country fence in the arena as they make their way ’round to come up the center line. He looks hot and has a good look ’round in the first halt, although it’s nice and square and scores a 7 and a 7.5. They set off into trot and have such lovely cadence in his steps – the medium scores an 8, 7 and 7.5. Keep it up Prince, you’re doing great! It’s so nice to see his potential coming out and he’s being rewarded with scores consistently in the 7s and 7.5s. Francis is doing a great job here – a real riding lesson for us all. He has to be so artful with this horse, and he’s riding for every single mark. There’s an 8 for the transition to walk.
So far, Prince is very good in the walk and scores two 8s and a 7.5 for the extended – really showing free movement through the shoulders. Francis does a great job keeping the halt and reinback under control – there’s a 7.5. for that. They strike off into canter and there’s more lovely quality of movement. But the changes are expensive historically for this guy and it’s no different today – 4s across the board for the first one. Francis is really pushing this horse’s highlights and limiting the damage in the tricky bits – that’s knowing your horse.
The third change scores two 2s and a 3. Those expensive changes really are a shame because all the other marks have been consistently high – 7s, 7.5s and a smattering of 8s. You can hear Francis saying ‘Woah’ as he turns back up the center line. They halt, he can take a breath, and be delighted with Prince, I’m sure. That’s probably the best I’ve seen him bar the changes – it’s so nice to see him show off his potential.
He’s hot on the way out, but he can look forward to cross country now.
Francis Whittington and DHI Purple Rain score 36.1.
4:40am ET
🇫🇷 Luc Château and Viens du Mont
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 11th Badminton
2022 – 9th Pau
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 11th (23)
Luhmuhlen – 4th (21)
Pau – 9th (22) 19th (20)
🏸 form: Just outside the top-10 on his debut last year.
🧬 Luc and his wife run a breeding program at home in France where they welcomed a foal out of Michael Jung’s superstar mare FischerRocana last year. Luc competed the stallion at the center of the enterprise, Propriano de l’Ebat, until 2018.
📋 They put down a 42.2 at Burghley last year before retiring out on cross country. At Badminton they scored 37 in the first phase.
Top-10 at your home 5* on your horse’s debut at the level’s gotta feel good:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
Luc takes his time to come into the arena after the bell rings, making the most of his allocated time. This is such a smart horse, so powerful and strong. He raises his head a little in the first halt, but Luc gets him back with him and they set off into trot. Viens is very light on his feet in his trot, but it’s a bit precarious in places and then, the excitement comes out and he breaks into canter for a couple of strides. Luc’s doing a great job of sitting quiet and supporting Viens.
They come down to walk and again, it all looks a bit tentative. There’s not quite a jiggy jog, but almost. Scores so far have consistently been in the 6s with some 5s. It’s a mixed bag for the extended walk – a 7, 6 and 5 for that. The reinback is a little sticky, but they strike off into canter smoothly.
Viens is getting more hot as this test goes on. He’s trying really hard to listen and Arthur’s doing a marvelous job of keeping a lid on things, but every now and then it breaks out. He’s brave to go for the extended canter but he can’t really let him stretch for the circle. We are used to seeing a test like this from Viens – he does get hot in the ring, but they’ll be leaderboard climbers tomorrow on the cross country, for sure. There’s a big sigh of relief from Luc on the way out.
Luc Château and Viens du Mont score 43.1.
4:32am ET
🇬🇧 Richard Jones and Alfies Clover
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2022: 10th Badminton, 7th Burghley
2021 – 6th Bicton
2018 – 7th Burghley
2017 – 22nd Burghley
Rider’s recent 5⭐ form: 7th Burghley 22; 10th Badminton 22; 6th Bicton 21; 7th Burghley 18; 22nd Burghley 17
🏸 form: 3 completions
🍪 Richard lost his finger when he slipped in his lorry and caught his wedding ring. He was on track to deliver a career best finish when it happened. Three months after that, he was 22nd at Burghley.
📋 They put down a 32.8 at Badminton last year before retiring out on cross country in a display of horsemanship that had us all impressed – they were going really well but Richard thought the tough conditions (it was super wet last year) were taking their toll and he decided to save Alfies Clover for another day. We’re hoping for low-30s in the first phase at the level, but their scores can creep up to the mid-30s.
This guy’s a fan favorite at British 5*s:
Today’s Test:
Alfies Clover looked characteristically grumpy on the jog strip on Wednesday. This guy has a huge fan following, but seriously, he’d bite you as soon as look at you! Boy does he look stunning in the Badminton sunshine. They start off in a nice square halt, but it’s slightly off the line – it scores two 7s. They set off into a balanced and workmanlike trot, the steps are clean and it’s very clear that this 17-year-old really knows his job. There’s not the big movement and expression for the big marks, but everything’s accurate and they’re on a clear round so far. This guy does dressage because he loves cross country, and he’s being a very good boy about the whole thing. Scores are consistently in the 6s.
The walk is very similar in style and consistency as the trot throughout. The reinback is very polite and clean – there’s a 7 in the scores for that. They have a very smooth strike off into canter. It’s more of the same picture for this part of the test too. The changes are clean and there are some 7s creeping into the scores now. Everything about this test is economical – for sure a clear round. There’s another 7 for the extended canter and then Alfies Clover really stretches in the circle but it’s not really got the self carriage for the higher marks – there’s a 5 in the scores for that. The final change is clean and they come back up the center line and slide into halt.
The crowd appreciates this long-time campaigner and Richard gives him a big pat. Alfies Clover walks very calmly out – job done, clear round, onto the best bit.
Richard Jones and Alfies Clover score 36.7.
4:24am ET
🇳🇿 Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form:
2022 – 1st Pau
2021 – 28th Kentucky
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 18th (22)
Badminton – 11th (22) 1st (18) 10th (16)
Luhmuhlen – 2nd (15)
Burghley – 4th (22) 3rd (16) 5th (15)
Maryland – 8th (21)
Pau – 1st (22) 3rd (21)
🏸 form: 8 starts over 20 years, 6 completions – 1 win, Armada Dish presented in 2019
🔥 Olympic team bronze London 2012; individually 12th Tokyo 2020; individually 17th Rio 2016
🥉 World Championships team bronze 2022; 4th individually 2014
👩❤️👨 Jonelle is part of eventing super couple Team Price, competing against her husband, Tim, here this week.
📋 This mare put down a PB of 30.1 at Pau in 2022, adding just 1.2 XC to take the win. Her most recent form is at 4* this season where she scored 37 in the first phase.
Pulling out the win in the mare’s 5* debut:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
There are cheers from the crowd as Jonelle canters ’round the outside of the ring. Jonelle does a little passage to show off her dressage skills. Even outside the arena this pair look impressive. The bell rings and they get going with two 7s and a 6 for the first halt. They set off into a lovely, rhythmical trot and there’s such a quality to the steps from this horse. Scores are consistently in the 7s with a few 6s creeping in. The extended gets two 7s.
Everything looks to be very controlled and precise and Grappa Nera is relaxed in the ring – she really shows that off in the extended walk, taking the contact right forward – two more 7s for that. Jonelle is very obviously riding for every single mark. There’s an 8 and two 7s for the medium walk, and then another 8 for the halt at C. They were stood for what seemed like ages, really showing excellent immobility. The reinback is also scored well – two 7s for that.
The canter work is really of an excellent quality and there are lots of 7s coming in. The first change is clean, but the scores drop slightly and then there’s an expensive miscommunication in the second one which scores a 3, a 4 and a 2. The third one is much better.
The extended canter is very good with two 7.5s and a 7 for that, and Grappa Nera comes back really nicely for the stretch circle. The final change scores 4s across the board. Jonelle shows the same very impressive immobility in the final halt, and Grappa Nera’s straight down for some Badminton grass. It’s well deserved, she did a great job.
Overall this had the makings of being a really high scoring test, but the mistakes in the changes were very expensive.
Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera score 34.4.
4:16am ET
🇫🇷 Arthur Marx and Church’ile
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: 23rd Pau 22
🧬 ‘Pumba’ – as he’s known in the barn – is by Grafenstolz – the sire of William Fox-Pitt’s ride here, Grafennacht, and last year’s Badminton winner, Ros Canter’s Lordships Graffalo.
🔗 He’s a family homebred – Arthur’s dad rode both his dam and grand-dam.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: 23rd Pau 22
🏸 form: Made his debut last year but an unfortunate parting of company on the XC means he’s looking for his first completion.
🗞️ Arthur works in a stationery shop in the mornings as well as running his own barn.
📋 Put down a 35.7 at Pau last season where they picked up a technical elimination out on cross country. They scored 34.7 here last year, and a 37.7 at Pau in 2022.
I’d love a thought cloud above Arthur and Pumba’s heads here:
Arthur Marx and Church’Ile. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
Pumba really is a beautiful stamp of the horse, so impressive looking, particularly with the sun shining off his coat. This pair look nice and relaxed as they enter the ring and get their test underway. The trot is very relaxed and supple, and shows a nice rhythm. There could be more bend for higher marks in the lateral work – scores drop down to 5s for that. There’s a little loss of connection in the bridle every now and then, Arthur’s being delicate with Pumba to support him. That’s affecting the marks. All the movements are accurate though and scores are consistently in the 6s.
They drop into walk and it’s the same kind of picture. Pumba looks a little distracted every now and hen. But Arthur’s sitting quiet and Pumba’s trying hard for him. The halt and reinback are clean enough and the scores stay consistent – 5s and 6s.
They set off into canter and the first change is clean – that gets a 7 from the judge at C. There’s a lack of bend in the half-pass and then Pumba didn’t really get the change – two 4s and a 2 for that one. Arthur puts it behind him and rides forward and the scores improve for the extended canter. The wobbles in the contact continue in the stretch circle which scores a 5, 6 and 6.5. The final change is very good for two 6s and a 6.5.
Arthur looks very happy with Pumba at the end of his test. Pumba stretches right out and then enjoys a bite or two of the Badminton grass. There’s a cheer for them as they leave the arena for a clear enough round in the dressage.
Arthur Marx and Church’lle score 43.
4:08am ET
🇬🇧 Kirsty Chabert and Opposition Heraldik Girl
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: Made her 5* debut at Pau last season but was eliminated on the cross country.
Recent form: 20th in the 4*-S at Kronenberg last month, adding just XC time to her score.
🚀 Opposition Heraldik Girl is known as ‘Rocket’ in the barn.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 19th (24) 21st (23)
Luhmuhlen – 2nd (22)
Pau – 6th (23) 22nd (22) 24th (19)
🏸 form: 3 starts, 1 completion
👖 Kirsty’s dad ‘rode round Badminton and her mom competed in Grand Prix dressage.
📋 They put down a 37.4 at Pau on the mare’s debut at the level, with a couple of costly changes dropping them down the order slightly. They have some low-30s scores at 4* on their card.
Rocket stepping up at her first 5* at Pau last season:
Today’s Test:
Rocket sure looked fit at the First Horse Inspection on Wednesday – she kicked out a little at the judges, who scattered accordingly. Let’s hope that’s all well and truly out of her system for today.
Rocket canters up the center line and halts square – there’s a 7.5 from one judge. They quickly get into trot and Rocket really does have a lovely cadence to her steps. She’s in a really good frame and shows a lot of scope in the extended. Kirsty’s really presenting this mare well. She looks very happy in her job and well within herself, despite the atmosphere in the Main Arena a Badminton.
They settle into the walk work and Rocket stays very relax. Kirsty supports Rocket to keep her rhythm and they make it through this difficult part of the test within incident. The halt and reinback are clean, but don’t pull in top marks.
Rocket’s canter work is kind of similar to her trot work, it’s balanced and accurate. Kirsty’s really working hard to keep this mare with her, and Rocket’s listening. The second change is very good for two 7s and the extended gets 7s across the board. There’s another clean change before they turn back up the center line and halt square for a 7 and a 7.5.
There’s a massive cheer from the crowd and a lot of pats, scratches and neck rubs for Rocket. This was a very good test overall, really showing great riding and a horse who’s very happy in her work.
Kirsty Chabert and Opposition Heraldik Girl score 32.4.
4am ET
🇬🇧 Louise Harwood and Native Spirit
Facts and Form:
Horse:
5⭐ form: 2 starts – Burghley 23 & Pau 22
Recent form: Clear XC jumping in the 4*-L at Blenheim last season.
Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 45th (19) 44th (17)
Luhmuhlen – 8th (16)
Burghley – 25th (18) 20th (17)
Pau – 35th (17)
🏸 form: 7 completions, Armada Dish presented in 2017
🏇 Louise won the St Michael’s Charity flat race at Hereford in 2019, helping to raise £30,000 for charity.
📋 They put down a 32.4 at Burghley last season before retiring out on cross country.
Opposites attract:
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Today’s Test:
Goooooooood Morning ENers! We’re back at Badminton and enjoying the sunshine as we kick off the second day.
Starting off the day’s dressage we have Louise and Native Spirit coming up the center line.
Native Spirit has a little spook when he spots his reflection in the window of the judge’s booth, but he’s settled as he canters into the ring. They start up in a lovely square halt and their Badminton is underway. They score two 7.5s and a 7 for that – great start. There’s a really nice rhythm in the trot work, although there could be a little more bend for the higher marks in the lateral work. She shows a real difference between the medium and extended trot – it’s two 7s for that, but then Native Spirit has a little spook and breaks pace, Louise gets him straight back though.
They move into the walk section of the test and Native Spirit looks a little more relaxed now. The steps are even but there could be more push for higher marks. The halt at C is excellent and scores an 8 and the reinback is clean for two 7s. They get a good strike off into canter.
This horse is really working nicely for Louise, he’s obviously trying hard and is performing all of the movements accurately. He snorts a little as he travels across the arena in the half-pass, but his changes have been clean thus far, albeit not quite on the aids. The stretch circle is balanced and scores a 7 from the judge at C, but a 5 from B. They come back up the center line and finish up their Badminton dressage test.
Overall this was a really nice test, the horse was obviously well within himself and happy in his work and they seem to make a very nice partnership.
Louise Harwood and Native Spirit score 35.6.
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