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Wednesday News & Notes

At nineteen years young, Shane Rose’s Virgil isn’t actually the most senior horse headed to Paris, but boy, it must feel good to be taking on the world with such an experienced buddy. Shane’s run-up to this year’s Games hasn’t been the smoothest ride, so to speak. First there was mankini-gate , and then a serious accident that banged him up pretty bad. But, in keeping with the tough competitor that we all know him to be, he’s clawed his way back into the saddle and has booked his flight to France with the Australian team. Heads up, we have it on reasonably good authority that Shane’s said, on record, that he’ll wear a gold-kini if he wins the Olympics. I’m not sure whether that’s tempted me to cheer for him to take the title or not, to be honest – the sight of Shane letting loose in the orange ensemble is still burned into my retinas. But I’m all for a bit of fun, so here’s to Shane and his mankini. Go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (Geneseo, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

One & Done Horse Trials (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Wednesday News and Reading

The home nation have high hopes for even more Olympic medals heading their way this summer. They were on the podium in 1912, the first time the three equestrian disciplines as we know them today were contested at the Games, and have since seen huge success across the board. Take a look back at France’s equestrian Olympic history as the country prepares to play host to this year’s sporting extravaganza.

When you know, you know. Karen Woodhall was watching the racing one day when one of the runners caught her eye, so much so that she jotted his name down for future reference. Not because she thought he was a safe bet – he’d just come dead last. But she just ‘liked’ him – a feeling many horse people will be familiar with. Fast forward a decade and that very same horse has made himself at home in Karen’s yard and is thriving in his second career winning ribbons in the dressage ring. Read Top Notch Tonto’s sweet story here.

Chastising others’ parenting choices is mostly not cool, so I’m just going to leave this here. But honestly, horses aren’t kids. For a start, in my experience they’re way more demanding and expensive than the average kid. Also, if I asked my guy to take some time to think about his behavior, his response would almost certainly be “carrot”.

In Olympic news outside of horses, the iconic Moulin Rouge windmill is back looking its best, just in time for the torch to pass by.

Video Break

Need a pick-me-up this hump day? Well, I’ve got just the thing. We all thoroughly enjoyed Aachen, but @evangrooms appears to have really enjoyed Aachen. There’s a bunch of content on his IG account that’ll have you chuckling over your morning coffee.

Have a ‘Gut’ Ride! Live Blog from the Cross Country at The World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen

According to EquiRatings, since the SAP-Cup came into play 16 years ago, the leader after show jumping has gone on to win seven times. And that’s exactly the enviable (or perhaps not because, well, pressure) position reigning Olympic champion Julia Krajewski finds herself in with the talented ten-year-old Nickel 21. They’ve been in this position before – remember Boekelo? – so we won’t count our chickens just yet, but Aachen’s theirs to lose and we may very well find that we’ve got a winner really quite early in the day. Watch this space.

If you’re wondering what happened to the leaders after dressage and show jumping, Michael Jung has withdrawn fischerChipmunk FRH before cross country.

If you want to follow along with the EquiRatings’ stats, you’ll find their form guide here.

Catch up on all that went down in the dressage in Tilly’s round-up report.

And you’ll find the show jumping report right here.

And that’s where we find ourselves. This is it folks! The dressage is done, the competitors have had their turn over the colored poles, and now we’ve just got the small matter of cross country (or at least part of it) before we find out who’ll be crowned Aachen champion 2024.

First, a look at the clubhouse leaderboard as things stand:

1️⃣ 🇩🇪 Julia Krajewski and Nikel 21 on a score of 23.9.

2️⃣ 🇩🇪 Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S on a score of 28 (+4.1).

3️⃣ 🇬🇧 Emily King and Valmy Biats on a score of 28 (+4.1).

4️⃣ 🇬🇧 Laura Collett and Dacapo on a score of 28.9 (+5).

5️⃣ 🇳🇿 Tim Price and Jarillo on a score of 28.9 (+5).

As far as the team competition goes, this is how things are looking:

🇬🇧 Great Britain 96.3

🇦🇺 Australia 100.1

🇺🇲 USA 102.1

(Team riders indicated by * below.)

Click here for the full individual scoreboard.

Click here for the full team scoreboard.

Our trailblazer today will be Lara de Liedekeike-Meier and Hermione d’Arville – they’re due to get things underway at 9:55am CEST / 3:55am ET.

🇺🇲 If you’re following the US camp, here are the times you need:

James Alliston and Karma will get things going for Team USA at 4:58am ET.
Liz Halliday and Shanroe Cooley are set to go at 5:33am ET.
Alyssa Phillips and Oskar are due to leave the startbox at 6:05am ET.
Hallie Coon and Cute Girl will wrap things up for America at 6:37AM ET.

If you want to see when your favorites will be heading out on course, you’ll find the order of go here.

Whilst you’re waiting for things to kick off, feast your eyes on all of EN’s Aachen content and mosey on along to our IG account @goeventing where there’s a bunch of great stuff going on courtesy of roving reporter extraordinaire, Tilly Berendt.

I’ll be here from the first rider out on course to the last to leave the start box, 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 ⬆️.

You can follow along with the live stream on ClipMyHorse here (subscription required).

I am unreliably informed (by the gift that is Google Translate) that ‘have a good ride’ translates to German as ‘’gute fahrt”.

So, um, gute fahrts guys, and go eventing!

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stocker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!

World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen: [Website] [Program – All Disciplines] [Program – Eventing] [Entries – All Disciplines] [Entries – Eventing] [Live Stream] [Results – All Disciplines] [Results – Eventing] [EN’s Coverage]

7am

And there we have it. We have new Aachen champions and have been treated to a fine morning’s sport. Before we sign out, here’s a look at how things played out:

1️⃣ Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21
2️⃣ Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera
3️⃣ Laura Collett and Dacapo

As far as teams are concerned,

🇬🇧 Great Britain 112.8
🇺🇲 USA 123.7
🇮🇪 Ireland 138

🇺🇲 If you’re following the US camp, here’s how your guys got on:

James Alliston and Karma 9th
Alyssa Phillips and Oskar 14th
Liz Halliday and Shanroe Cooley 16th
Hallie Coon and Cute Girl 30th

Click here for the full individual scoreboard.

Click here for the team scoreboard.

We’ll have a full round-up of all of today’s competition for you – Tilly’s pounding the keys as we speak – eyes on EN for that, coming soon.

In the meantime, click here for all the Aachen content you can handle.

Until next time ENers, go eventing!

6:54am

Great Britain take the team win.
And the USA are runners-up.

6:53am

Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 have won Aachen!

6:52am

We’ve got our last combination on course – Emily King and Valmy Biats – and they could go into the lead. So exciting! They’re clear through fence 14 and are coming to the complex at 15ABCD. She’s neat through there and kicks on. She opens Valmy up as she heads up the hill towards the double of gates at 16AB. She’s careful through there. She’s a little behind on the clock. She comes round to the penultimate water. She’s got 5 seconds in hand over Julia. Will she make it? She clears the open corners but she’s looking to be a bit too far down on the clock. The crowd cheers as they come into the main arena. She’s through the water, and round to the penultimate fence. Her elbows are going. They’re over the last. Not quite quick enough – 4.8 time for them. An awesome round all the same.

6:50am

Chris is clear up to fence 15 as our final combination take to the course…
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⭐Last horse on course:

🇬🇧 Emily King and Valmy Biats*

▶️ Score: 28 + 0 – 28 (4th)

📈XC Form: Emily and ‘Val’ have been on hot form so far this season 🌶️ They started out by retaining the Gratham Cup title in the 4*-S at Thoresby, going on to a 4th place in the 4*-S at Burnham Market and then very nearly making it onto their first 5* podium at Badminton. That’s three impressive XC jumping clears under the cinch already this year, and three relatively speedy rounds to boot. This talented gelding has just one 20 on his record in 28 FEI competitions (and two eliminations for falls). The only other XC penalties, aside from time, are an 11 at Burghley last year for activating a frangible device, and another one back in 2021. Time penalties at 4*-S are almost always single figures, sometimes very low single figures. It’s not hard to see how EquiRatings have this guy as amongst the best cross country horses in the field, and he’s the third fastest to boot.This is an exciting combination, who were knocking on the door of the British Olympic team, and will be here to give it their very best shot. Eyes on this one 👀
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There’s an early question for Emily at fence 3, but it disappears off the leaderboard quickly. She rides really positively through the first water as we see Chris Burton coming towards home. He weaves beautifully through the combination at 19 and is super quick. He’s going to make the time – maybe… He’s easily through the fences in the arena and through the keyhole. Over the line – and inside the time! That’s a finish on his dressage score for Burto – he’s punching the air. A total class act.

6:45am

Hallie and Cute Girl are clear through fence 17 and are at the penultimate water as we pick up the next to go. We’re almost there now.
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⭐ Penultimate combination on course:

🇦🇺 Christopher Burton and Clever Louis*

▶️ Score: 32.1 + 0 – 32.1 (13th)

📈XC Form: Two-time Aachen winner, Burto’s back after a hiatus from eventing and is here at Aachen with Clever Louis, a gelding that’s back in his yard after spending time with Bubby Upton and Jonelle Price while Chris was going show jumping; Prior to Christopher, the horse was brought through the levels by Germany’s Ben Leuwer. He won the 4*-S for 8- and 9-year-olds at Blenheim in 2019 with Chris in the irons and then took first place in the 4*-L at Boekelo at the end of that season, where he finished on his dressage. This season, the pair have had three FEI outings and with a win last time out in the 4*-L at Strzegom, they come here in great form 🌶️ They’ve had no jumping penalties, either out on course or in the ring, in any of those runs – in fact, the gelding has a clear XC jumping record all the way; in 36 runs, he’s had flag penalties twice, a 15 for breaking a frangible device, and a fall on the flat – that’s it. It’s no surprise that his fastest runs have been under Burto, who’s known for his speed across the country, but Bubby and Jonelle are no slouches, that’s for sure, and with time penalties generally hitting double figures (at the short format; before this season, he hadn’t done a long since Boekelo with Burto in 2019), we can deduce that he’s not the quickest horse around. He picked up 7.2 time at Strzegom, the only penalties they added to their 28.2 dressage across the competition. One to watch for a clear, but will he be quick?
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Hallie and Cute Girl are through the water at 18AB and are a little down on the time. They come into the main arena and make the turn to the water. Oh no! They have a stop at the penultimate fence. That is such a shame. They take the option and come back round and clear the last. What a disappointment for them. They finish up with 13.6 time.

6:40am

Tim and Jarillo are clear up to the combination at 15ABCD. He’s giving us a masterclass in cross country riding once again.
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⭐We’re down to our last three:

🇺🇲 Hallie Coon and Cute Girl*

▶️ Score: 33.2 + 0 – 33.2 (16th)

📈XC Form: With two wins already this season, Cute Girl has shown herself to be in hot form 🌶️ Currently based in the UK and taking in the European eventing scene, Hallie piloted the lovely mare to first place in the 4*-S at Oudkarspel in the Netherlands, where they added just 4.4 XC time to their dressage score of 26.7. Their Dutch luck didn’t end there as they went out for the 4*-S at Kronenberg and won that as well, that time adding just 1.2 XC time penalties, a pole and a smidge of SJ time to their dressage of 27.6. They had a spate of 20s last season, picking up XC jumping penalties in four consecutive competitions, but that looks to be well and truly behind them with their run of four clear rounds this season. Will Cute Girl like Germany as much as she obviously likes the Netherlands?
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Hallie has no troubles at fence 3 and looks smooth and confident as she clears the fourth. She’s superb through the first water. We’re back with Tim and Jarillo as they have a moment at the B element of 19. He’s looking a little tired perhaps. He’s neat over the first corner but then drifts as he makes his way to the B element and climbs all over it. No chance to make it to the C element. They continue on into the main arena and there’s further problems at the penultimate fence when he has to turn a circle. That was a really empathetic ride from Tim at the end. They finish with 20 jumping and 19.6 time.

6:36am

Joseph is clear through fence 14 as we see our next starter leave the box:
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Tim Price and Jarillo*

▶️ Score: 28.9 + 0 – 28.9 (6th)

📈XC Form: Presumably Tim’ll be sat next to Jonelle on the flight to Paris, and he’s here alongside her today with 10-year-old Jarillo. This gelding’s had 10 FEI runs and has nary a jumping penalty across them – not a one. He’s also on a run of very exciting form. He came out this season with a win in the 4*-S at Thoresby – he added 19.2 time penalties that day, but it was sticky day out on course and time penalties racked up for most of the competitors, so that’s not really an indication of his speed across the country. He was 5th in the 4*-L at Saumur in France in April, where he added just 3.2 XC time to his dressage of 28.6. He had another good run in the 4*-L Nations Cup at Boekelo last fall, finishing up in 7th after jumping clear across the country and in the show jumping ring, adding just 2 XC time penalties to his dressage score of 29, and it was a very similar story in the 4*-S for 8- and 9-year-olds at Blenheim last season – just 2 time penalties added across the competition and ending up in 3rd. If you’re thinking this is an exciting prospect, you’re right. Let’s see if he continues on his upward trajectory in the sport today.
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Tim looks to mean business as he sets off. He leaves nothing to chance at that sneaky fence 3 and they look like a very confident pair as they get their Aachen cross country underway. Meanwhile, Joseph looks to be bang on time as he comes through the penultimate water. At the other end of the course, Tim is riding really accurately as he makes his turns through the first water at 6ABC and 7AB. Joseph’s still got a green clock as he jumps the gate into the water in the main arena. It turns red as he comes out of the water and makes his way round to the last. They cross the line with 5.6 time penalties.

6:33am

Jerome is clear up to the water at 18 as we have another horse join us on course:
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⭐New starter on course:

🇮🇪 Joseph Murphy and Calmaro*

▶️ Score: 30.9 + 4 – 34.9 (20th)

📈XC Form: Qualified quantity surveyor Joseph is clearly a guy with a need for speed and excitement, not only going eventing but also having been a winning point to point jockey. He’s here at Aachen with his 2022 Kentucky 5* top-10 finisher Calmaro. He’s had a couple of good results at Aachen with the gelding, jumping clear with 1.2 XC time in 2021 and finishing 17th, then returning the following year for another clear round, adding just 3.2 time penalties to his dressage of 30.4 for 4th place. Last year he was 9th, again going clear, just adding 4.4 XC time and an expensive show jumping pole. He’s on a streak of 14 XC clear rounds and had a successful start to the season this year with a 4th place on home soil in the 4*-S at Ballindenisk. He can be quick enough, with time penalties generally in single figures. Can he add to his great Aachen results today, and perhaps even better them? Let’s see…
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Jerome’s beautifully balanced as he drops into the water at 18A. They’re a little off the time but look to be having a really confident round. They come into the main arena to a huge cheer from his home crowd. They’re beautiful through the water and come round to the final fence. They’re through the line – Jerome’s grinning and his support team look thrilled. 8 time penalties for them.

6:29am

Benjamin is clear all the way – he’s in the main arena and finishing up his round. He’s got plenty left in the tank as he gallops across the finish – just 4 time penalties for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇨🇭 Felix Vogg and Colero*

▶️ Score: 30.2 + 0 – 30.2 (8th)

📈XC Form: Famous for winning a 5* on his birthday, Swiss Olympian and World Championships rider Felix is on his way to France later this month. First though, he’s here at Aachen with his old pal Colero. Safe to say the Luhmuhlen 2022 winner hasn’t had the most straightforward start to the season, racking up 23.2 time penalties in the 3*-S at his old stomping ground Luhmuhlen in March, retiring after picking up 40 XC jumping penalties in the 4*-S at Pratoni del Vivaro in May, and then being eliminated for an error of course in the 4*-S Nations Cup event in Strzegom last month. In between all that though, they were 4th in the 4*-S at Baborowko in Poland, adding just 3.2 XC time and reminding us of the Colero we all know and love. Hey, they finished on their dressage when they won Luhmuhlen, so this more recent form is in no way typical of what this talented pair can do. Let’s hope that all goes according to plan here today and they hang onto at least third place.
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Felix has a question mark for fence 3 – that’ll be a flag under review. He continues on and is clear to the big combination at 15ABCD. We’re into the final 5 as our next combination get under way…
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⭐ New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice*

▶️ Score: 33.3 + 0 – 33.3 (18th)

📈XC Form: Another German combination to be on the Olympic selectors’ watch list this weekend, last season this combination added a top-10 5* finish to their record (Luhmuhlen), as well as an individual 7th place at the European Championships. Since Jerome took on the ride in 2020, the pair have had just one 11 penalties for activating a frangible device on their XC jumping record, that’s it, in 23 FEI competitions. That came in the 4*-S at Marbach this season, breaking their 4 year clear XC streak. But they were back on form in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen, where they added just 4 time penalties across the whole competition to finish 8th on a score of 34.9. There’s no doubt that both horse and rider are knocking on the door of the big time, it’s for sure a case of when, not if for them. EquiRatings have this gelding down as amongst the best cross country horses in the field. Eyes on 👀
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We’re just hearing that Ian Cassell’s flag penalty has been taken away. All will become clear when we see the final leaderboard. Meanwhile, Felix has just had a duck out at the big open corner at 19A. Oh, that’s a surprise. Felix puts his hand up.

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stocker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!

6:20am

Oh, it’s tight on the time for Laura. She’s kicking on! Will she make it? Oh, it’s so close but not quite. She punches the air – she’s 5 seconds over. She’s gone into second.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇫🇷 Benjamin Massie and Filao de Perle*

▶️ Score: 35.7 + 4 – 39.7 (28th)

📈XC Form: This pair were clear inside the time in their first run at 4*, the Nations Cup 4*-S at Jardy last season. They came back out flying at Boekelo in the 4*-L, finishing just one second over the time, and then consolidated their need for speed this season with another quick round, this time in the 4*-S at Pompadour, France, where they added just 2.8 time penalties. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em! This is the 9-year-old gelding’s first time competing in Germany, but if his form thus far in his career has anything to show, it’s that he’s got a bright future ahead of him.
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6:16am

Ah! 10B claims another. Andrew and Go Tosca run on past. That’s 20 for them. They’re very quick to come back round though and continue on.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇬🇧 Laura Collett and Dacapo*

▶️ Score: 28.9 + 0 – 28.9 (5th)

📈XC Form: Team gold medalist from Tokyo, Laura’s headed to Paris later this month, but first she brings Dacapo for a spin ‘round Aachen. They’re favorite for the win, according to EquiRatings. This pair were runners-up here in 2021, after jumping clear and adding just 3.2 time penalties on cross country day. And that’s not the only 4* success this lovely gelding’s had – he won at Burnham Market last season, adding 3.6 time that day, and was 3rd at Bicton; he was clear inside the time in the Nations Cup 4*-L at Boekelo and finished up in 6th. This season he’s had a run ‘round the 4*-S at Bicton, where he added 8.4 to his dressage score of 27.5 to finish 7th. He’s had a couple of blips in terms of XC jumping penalties, but they’ve come at 5* in more recent years. Let’s see if they can find themselves on the Aachen podium once again…
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Laura and Dacapo have some team pressure on them – they really need to be clear inside the time. That won’t put Laura off though. She’s very smooth through the first water – class. Meanwhile, Andrew is making his way towards the main arena. The clock is about to turn red for him as he comes round to the final water. They splash through there, up the step and over the skinny. They’re neatly through the keyhole and over the line – 12 time penalties and 20 jumping for them. Nicole Brown in the commentary box has done the math – she thinks the USA can finish no worse than 2nd.

6:14am

Alyssa is still clear – she’s at the big combination at 15ABCD.
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⭐We’re into the final 10 to go now. New starter on course:

🇦🇺 Andrew Barnett and Go Tosca*

▶️ Score: 32.5 + 0 – 32.5 (14th)

📈XC Form: Andrew’s over in Europe this season with Paris in mind and will have given the selectors something to think about when he came 4th in the Nations Cup 4*-S at Millstreet in his most recent run, with a clear inside the time on the cross country and adding just one show jumping pole to his dressage of 29. Go Tosca’s been on hot form in Australia over the last few years – in 18 FEI competitions he’s racked up 6 wins and 6 second places 🌶️ There are a couple of 20s on his record, most recently in the 4*-S at Hastings in New Zealand this season, but he’s proved he can be quick on his day and based on recent form, we’re looking at single figures. Can he repeat his Millstreet feat and add nothing today?
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Go Tosca is another horse to back off fence 3, but Andrew pushes forward and they make it over – they take the flag but he’s marked as clear. They make nothing of the first water and looks to really mean business. Meanwhile, Alyssa is on her way home. She’s a little down on the clock as she comes to the open corners at 19ABC. She’s good through there. She comes into the main arena and round to the final water. The clock turns red. Through the water, round the corner, through the keyhole and over the line. Alyssa looks thrilled. 8.8 time for them.

6:10am

Oh no! Another fly by at 10B – this time for Jonelle and Senor Crocodillo. They continue on and are clear up to the penultimate water.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇺🇲 Alyssa Phillips and Oskar*

▶️ Score: 33.2 + 0 – 33.2 (17th)

📈XC Form: According to EquiRatings, Oskar is the joint-fastest cross country horse in the field and his recent form certainly backs that up. He won the 4*-S at Terra Nova, adding just 4 XC time penalties, before making the trip to Europe and jumping clear ‘round the 4*-S Nations Cup at Millstreet, where he added just 3.6 time. In 20 FEI competitions together, there’s just one 20 and a rider fall on their record and time penalties are almost always low single figures. He’s good on US soil, and Irish, how will Oskar be with the German ground beneath his feet?
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Alyssa looks to mean business as she doesn’t waste a second at the water at 6ABC and 7AB – wow, she was great through there. Meanwhile, Jonelle looks to have put that refusal well behind her as she flies through the combination at 19ABC and into the main arena. The clock turns red as she sets up for the final water. She swings round to the final fence, through the keyhole and over the line. 10 time penalties for them, and 20 jumping. She’d likely have made the time if it wasn’t for that drive by.

6:07am

Ian and Millridge Atlantis are quick through the complex at 15ABCD – they’re clear so far.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo*

▶️ Score: 31.9 + 0 – 31.9 (11th)

📈XC Form: Kiwi team stalwart Jonelle has both booked her flight to Paris but is getting just a bit more eventing in before the big trip. She’s here with former Samantha Lissington ride Senor Crocodillo, who Jonelle took on in 2022. They’ve got a bit of a mixed bag of results in their seven runs together, with a win in the 4*-S at Kilguilkey House in Ireland, where they finished on their dressage of 31.2, and two occasions where they’ve had a 20 out on course. So far this season, they’ve jumped clear at both 4*-L and 4*-S, picking up 12 and 17.2 time penalties respectively. One thing’s for sure, there’s no better woman to have on board and she’ll give this 10-year-old a bunch of confidence as he makes his way ‘round the Aachen track.
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We see Jonelle at fence 3, it’s caused a bit of trouble this morning but not for this pair. Meanwhile, Ian is at the water at 18AB. They weave through there and kick on towards the main arena. We see Jonelle at the other end of the course – she’s at the first water at 6ABC and shows us all how that’s done. Back with Ian, he’s on the final chase to the line – he sets up for the gate into the water and then has a little slip on the turn towards the final fence. He takes the flag at the second last – but it looks to be OK. They finish with 3.2 time penalties – a great round for them. News on Malin’s flag penalties – they’ve been taken away.

6am

Nadja has completed with 40 jumping and 24.8 time. Meanwhile, Malin is up at the combination at 15ABCD. She’s flying along, looking really confident. Quidditch looks like he’s thoroughly enjoying this. They rattle the second gate at 16B but no problem there. They have been awarded the 15 penalties, but that will be reviewed.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇮🇪 Ian Cassells and Millridge Atlantis*

▶️ Score: 33.1 + 4 – 37.1 (24th)

📈XC Form: Based on his parents’ dairy farm in Ireland, Ian is here with the 10-year-old gelding Millridge Atlantis. They’ve had 13 FEI runs together and there’s just one 20 on their card; that came at the Young Horse Championships in 2021. They’ve got three XC clears under their cinch this season – in the 4*-S Nations Cup at Millstreet they had a great spin, adding just 2.4 XC time to their dressage of 36.3. They were quick ‘round the 4*-L at Samur in France too – just 2 XC time for them there in the spring. EquiRatings have this guy down as amongst the best cross country horses in the field and this looks to be an exciting horse for Ian. It’s his first trip to Germany, let’s see how he finds it…
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Malin puts a little bend in the line to the big open corner at 19C and then there’s a huge cheer as she comes into the main arena. She’s quickly through the water in there and then flies on through the keyhole and through the finish line – 7.2 time for them, and potentially 15 penalties for that flag.

5:56am

Nadja is now at fence 14 and looks to have have put those early problems behind her.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K*

▶️ Score: 30.2 + 8 – 38.2 (25th)

📈XC Form: The Golden Snitch will be the last thing on this pair’s mind as they set out onto the Aachen cross country today. They were 12th here last year, and 12th in 2021, adding just 5.6 and 2.8 time penalties respectively. Never mind Quidditch, this guy is a total cross country machine 🤖 EquiRatings have him down as the third best cross country horse in the field. In 33 FEI runs, he’s had no XC jumping penalties – zero, zilch, ‘null’. They come here in winning form, fresh from a finish on their dressage first place in the 3*-S at Strzegom 🌶️ And that’s not the only great result they’ve had this season – they very nearly made the podium in the Kentucky 5* in the spring, where they added just 6.8 XC time penalties to their dressage of 31.1. This pair are on the Olympic selectors’ watch list, so they’ll be hoping the magic continues as they fly ‘round Aachen today.
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Malin seems to have had a confident start to her round. They drop into the water at 6 and make it look very easy through there. They’re really covering the ground as they gallop towards the solid table at 8. They take the big step up at 9 and then take the flag at 10B – it comes up as a question mark on the live leaderboard.

5:53am

Cyrielle is clear to the water at 18 as we pick up with a new starter…
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⭐New starter on course:

🇨🇭 Nadja Minder and Top Job’s Jalisco*

▶️ Score: 33 + 8 – 41 (30th)

📈XC Form: On the flight to Paris with her Young Riders mount Toblerone, Nadja’s first got a date with Aachen. She’s had the ride on Top Job’s Jalisco since 2021, and in 21 FEI runs together they’ve had just three XC jumping penalties, all in 2022. They were clear inside the time in the 4*-L Nations Cup event at Boekelo last season, finishing top-20. They were just outside the top-10 in their last run in the 4*-S Nations Cup in Avenches, where they added 13.2 time penalties out on course. This young talent sure is an exciting prospect for the future of Swiss eventing. Let’s hope she can add to her successes here today.
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Oh dear! Nadja has early troubles at fence 3 – that three horses (I think) so far that have taken a dislike to that, seemingly unassuming, fence. She sets up for a brave line between the A and B elements at 7 in the water and, uh, they duck out to the side. Another 20 for them. Meanwhile, Cyrielle has completed – she’s delighted with her horse and points emphatically to him as they crowd clap. 8 time penalties for them.

5:50am

Izzy and SBH Big Wall have made their way to the tricky combination at 15ABCD. They look to have settled into their round now and Izzy’s done really well to put those early problems behind her.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇫🇷 Cyrielle Lefevre and Armanjo Serosah*

▶️ Score: 37.1 + 4 – 41.1 (31st)

📈XC Form: Cyrielle is here at Aachen with her World Championships ride – and cross country machine – Armanjo Serosah. It’s not surprising that EquRatings have him down as amongst the best cross country horses in the field when you look at his form. You have to go all the way back to 2017 and the gelding’s first couple of FEI competitions to find anything other than a single 11 penalties for activating a frangible device (which happened way back in 2019). Seriously, there are a whole lotta zeros running down their scoresheet. They’re no slouches when it comes to time as well – they added 7.2 in the 4*-S at Marbach this year, their first run back after a break last season. This pair not only have championships experience under their girth, but have completed at Pau and Badminton too, and there’s nothing quite like a long-term partner when you’re sat in the start box on cross country day. Clear round coming up..?
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Cyrielle is clear up to fence 12 as Izzy comes into the main arena. This young horse will have really learned a lot from his round today. They have a moment over the gate into the water but Izzy sits tight. She gets a really nice shot at the final fence and they complete.

5:46am

Kevin is in the main arena and is over the time. They finish up with 16.4 penalties. That means – with Izzy’s problems as well – the USA have gone into the lead in the team competition.

5:45am

Kevin and Miss Pepperpot make nothing of the big hanging log over the river. Update on the leaderboard – Julia and Nickel 21 are hanging on to the lead thus far.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇬🇧 Isabelle Taylor and SBH Big Wall*

▶️ Score: 31.4 + 8 – 39.4 (27th)

📈XC Form: In 16 FEI competitions, this 9-year-old gelding has had just one 11 penalties for activating a frangible device, that’s it. And he’s no slouch in terms of speed either. He added just 4 penalties to his dressage score of 28.5 to finish 5th in the 4*-S at Bramham this season and was top-10 in the 4*-S at Bicton where he jumped clear with 8.4 time. He looks to be a real up-and-comer for Izzy, so watch this space. Let’s see how he finds his first run on German soil.
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We see Kevin through the combination at 15ABCD – they’re very clean and tidy through there and on track for the time. Oh no! Izzy’s having early troubles at fence 3. SBH Big Wall takes a real dislike to it and stops, she comes round and they make it over but there’s more trouble at 4. The gelding looks to have gone a bit green but Izzy’s supporting him and they continue on.

5:40am

Ginny’s now coming to the end of her round. A great clear for her, she looks really pleased with her horse. 7.6 time for them. Meanwhile, Liz and Shanroe Cooley are coming up to the big log over the river at fence 13. Clear all the way so far for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇦🇺 Kevin McNabb and Miss Pepperpot*

▶️ Score: 31.5 + 4 – 35.5 (21st)

📈XC Form: Kevin’s booked his seat to Paris later this month, but first he’s having a trip ‘round Aachen with Miss Pepperpot. This sweet mare’s been with Kevin since 2020, having formerly been piloted by Britain’s Caroline Harris. She’s had a few ups and downs in terms of XC jumping penalties since then, but she’s jumped clear in both her FEI starts this season and kept time penalties to single figures, producing her best finishing score (since Kevin took on the ride) in the 4*-S at Strzegom, where she was 10th on a 42. At Marbach in May, she finished on her third best score of 47.6. Things look to be coming together for this combination so far this season, let’s hope that continues for them here today.
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Liz gives us a riding lesson through the tricky complex at 15ABCD and then weaves on through the trees to the double of rustic gates at 16AB. Meanwhile, Kevin is at the first water and is real smooth through there. We’re back with Liz as she makes her way into the main arena. They’re down on the clock but are absolutely flying – the queen of speed is in the house. They come round to the last and through the keyhole – 7.6 time for them – 43.3 overall.

5:35am

Oh no! Austin’s had 20 penalties at 19C – the open corner just before the main arena. That’s so disappointing for him, especially as he was going so well. He continues on and finishes – 20 jumping and 25.2 time for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Ginny Thomasen and Capitaine de Hus Z*

▶️ Score: 37.8 + 4 – 41.8 (42nd)

📈XC Form: Ginny and Capitaine de Hus Z come here in hot form, having won the 4*-L at Kronenberg in May. They jumped a quick clear across the country that day, adding just 2.8 time penalties. They were clear in the 4*-S at Marbach too, that time adding 14 time. They had a 20 in their season opener in the 4*-S at Burnham Market, and there are a couple of other jumping penalties on their record, but there are plenty of clear rounds too. Will they channel their Dutch luck today?
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Ginny and Capitaine de Hus Z are clear to the big combination at fence 15. And we’ve got another new starter…
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⭐New starter on course:

🇺🇲 Elisabeth Halliday and Shanroe Cooley*

▶️ Score: 35.7 + 0 – 35.7 (22nd)

📈XC Form: Liz is off to Paris in a couple of weeks as traveling reserve for the US team, but before that she’s having a spin ‘round Aachen with Shanroe Cooley. This 9-year-old gelding has shown some serious talent since starting his FEI career. From 19 runs, he’s got six wins on his card, three 2nds, two 3rds, a 4th, a 5th, an 8th and two 9ths. There’s also an 11th and one rider fall. But man, is that a record to be envious of. Aside from that one fall, there are zero XC jumping penalties on their record – not a single one. And we all know Liz is smoking hot quick. Time faults are almost always single figures for this guy. This pair are surely ones to watch 👀
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5:28am

Those frangible devices have had their say once more for Michi Jung. He’s had 11 penalties at 15A. He’s continued on and completed – 7.6 time for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇮🇪 Austin O’Connor and Isazsa*

▶️ Score: 35.1 + 4 – 39.1 (26th)

📈XC Form: Austin’s booked his place in Paris thanks to some awesome 5* results with his Olympic ride Colorado Blue, not least making the trip to Maryland last season and winning the whole dang thing. While ‘Salty’ makes his preparations for the big time, Austin’s here with 10-year-old mare Isazsa. She’s had a bit of a mixed season so far, with a 20 in the 4*-S at Thoresby in the spring, but we’ll put that down to her clearing her pipes, as she came back out in the 4*-S at Bramham – known for being a tough track – with a clear round and just 6.8 time penalties, ending up in 10th place. That 20 broke a streak of 8 clear XC jumping rounds, and the only other penalties on her card were way back in 2021 in the Nations Cup event at Houghton Hall. That’s a clear rate of 18 from 20 FEI runs. She’s not always the quickest across the country – Bramham was one of her best rounds at the level – but Austin’s one heck of a quick rider, so we’ll see whether he’s got his pedal to the mettle today.
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Austin’s clear up to fence 12. He’s kicking on as he comes down the hill towards 13. He gets a great shot over that big log over the water. He’s motoring along looking very confident.

5:24am

We’re hearing of more troubles at the skinny brush at 10B – another drive by, this time for Carla Brunner and Brookwood Supersable. They carry 20 penalties as they continue on their way.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Michael Jung and Kilcandra Ocean Power*

▶️ Score: 30.2 + 12 – 42.2 (33rd)

📈XC Form: Former Olympic, World and European champion Michael Jung needs no introduction to eventing fans, or show jumping fans, or indeed dressage fans. He’s basically Super Michi Jung, here to give us a masterclass, once again. Hope I haven’t just jinxed him, but he’s had the most cross country clears at Aachen of all the riders in the field, so we’ll go with the stats over any kind of woo woo I may/may not be able to conjure up. Anyway – this gelding has a rare 20 penalties on his last trip here in 2022, just one of two he’s had in 26 FEI runs with Michael. He’s here off the back of a 4th place finish in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen last month, where he added just 5.6 XC time penalties to his dressage of 27.1, and a 3rd place in the 4*-S at Wiesbaden, where he picked up 10.4 time. Will he put his 20 here last time to bed today? Never bet against Michi.
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We see Michi having to work hard through the water complex at 7AB – he had to make that happen. He kicks on his way. Meanwhile, Carla has completed with 21.6 time and 20 jumping.

5:19am

Things are looking a little sticky in places for Morgane and Fixin de Conde. They’re clear through to fence 15.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇨🇭 Carla Brunner and Brookwood Supersable*

▶️ Score: 45.9 + 0 – 45.9 (41st)

📈XC Form: Young Swiss eventer Carla brings fellow Aachen competitor Ian Cassells’s former ride, 9-year-old mare Brookwood Supersable forward. They had a 20 on their last run in the 4*-L at Baborowko in Poland in May, where they ended up 6th. They were clear inside the time in the 4*-S at Lignières last season, and were clear ‘round the 4*-S Nations Cup in Arville, but had a 20 in the Nations Cup event in Avenches. So a bit of a mixed bag of results for them. They’ve proved they can be clear and quick, but they can also have a green mistake, and Carla doesn’t always have her foot on the accelerator. Let’s see how they get on today.
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Brookwood Supersable is a bit hesitant over fence 4, but Carla gives him a pat and they continue on with their round. They’re tidy through the water at 7AB. Meanwhile, Morgane is through the water at 18AB. She’s down on the clock at this point. They take the flag with them at 19B, but all looks OK. They come into the main arena and rattle the gate on the way into the water. They come through the keyhole and it’s big pats and a huge smile and wave from Morgane. 10.8 time for them.

5:15am

Andrew makes the open corners at 19ABC look relatively easy, but the clock turns red as he makes his way into the main arena – he’s carrying that 20 from fence 10B. No problems for them through the arena and they fly through the keyhole and over the finish line. 20 jumping, 16.4 time for them. Meanwhile, Kirsty is clear through to the triple rail at 12.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇫🇷 Morgane Euriat and Fixin de Conde*

▶️ Score: 36.5 + 8 – 44.5 (40th)

📈XC Form: It’s a clean sweep in terms of XC jumping clears for Morgane and 9-year-old gelding Fixin de Conde from their 10 FEI competitions together, and they’re proving to be pretty speedy to boot. In their two previous runs at 4* (both short format), they’ve kept time penalties to single figures. This is their first time competing outside France, so let’s see how they take to this German track – ‘Bon chance’ Morgane!
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Kirsty navigates her way past the driving obstacles between 13 and 14 as we see Morgane doing a great job of holding things together through the water at 7AB. Kirsty is really quick to get to the main arena and is absolutely flying. The clock turns red as they leave the water, they pop through the keyhole and cross the finish – 5.6 time penalties for them. The first score in for the British, it’s not counting at the minute but is a decent score for them to fall back on if needs be.

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5:10am

Oh! Another drive by at 10B – this time for Andrew Hoy. They just slipped past it. That momentum down the hill just seems to carry them along a bit too much. A shame for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇬🇧 Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI*

▶️ Score: 34.3 + 9.2 – 43.5 (35th)

📈XC Form: ‘Betty’ has racked up three wins, two second places, two thirds, a fourth and a fifth at 4*-S, most recently taking 3rd place at Kronenberg this season, where she added just 3.2 XC time penalties to her dressage of 29.8. Last season, she won the 4*-S at Lisgarvan House, Ireland, after finishing on her dressage score of 26. She’s also a 5* runner-up (Luhmuhlen 22), so there’s no questioning this mare’s experience or ability as she heads out onto the Aachen cross country for the third time. Kirsty’ll be hoping it’s third time lucky, as Aachen hasn’t necessarily been this pair’s pal in the past, with a 20 in each of their two previous runs. Let’s hope they can put those mistakes well and truly behind them today. EquiRatings has this mare down as the fastest horse in the field today. Blink and you may well miss ‘em.
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Andrew continues on after that 20 at fence 10B. He gives a bit of vocal encouragement over the hanging log over the river and they fly that. They manage the complex at 15ABCD really cleanly. Meanwhile, Kirsty’s at the first water and is quickly clear through there.

5:07am

James is clear through the double of gates at 16AB – he’s looking very smooth and confident. He’s good on the clock as he skips through the water at 18AB. Oh, they’re brilliant through the corner combination at 19ABC – total class. He flies into the main arena and makes absolutely nothing of the tricky fences in there. They’re close on their time. Coming to the finish. They clear the last just 6 seconds over. That’s 2.4 time for them – 38.4 overall. A great round from them – and a great Aachen.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇦🇺 Andrew Hoy and Cadet de Beliard*

▶️ Score: 35.1 + 8 – 43.1 (34th)

📈XC Form: In 27 FEI competitions, Cadet de Beliard has just one XC jumping penalty on his record, which came back in 2021 when he was piloted by France’s Tom Carlisle. He jumped clear inside the time last season in the 4*-L at Strzegom with Andrew to finish 3rd. Most recently he was 5th in the 4*-S at Kronenberg in May, where he added 19.2 time penalties to his dressage of 31.5 and rolled two poles to add a further 8. That’s the most time he’s ever had though – he’s generally inside or low single figures. One thing’s for sure, he couldn’t have a more experienced rider in the irons and he’s well-used to going eventing in Europe, with the majority of his runs having taken place on the continent.
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News in for Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH – they’ve been eliminated for missing fence 10B.

5:03am

Caroline and CBI Aldo seem to have settled into their round as they come to fence 14. Meanwhile, we have our first US combination on course…
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⭐New starter on course:

🇺🇲 James Alliston and Karma*

▶️ Score: 36 + 0 – 36 (23rd)

📈XC Form: Over from the US, James is sitting pretty on the best cross country horse in the field according to EquiRatings. The 10-year-old mare has just 9 FEI runs under her cinch, and ignoring the first one, she’s got five finishes on her dressage on her record and six XC clears inside the time. The two occasions when she didn’t make the time, she wasn’t a million miles off. That all translates to three wins and two 2nds – seriously, this mare is one to watch 👀
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We see James get off to a confident start and then go back to Caroline and CBI Aldo. They’re through the double of gates at 16AB. The clock turns red as they come round to the water at AB, but with those early problems that’s not surprising. Caroline comes very quietly up to the big open corner at 19A, really setting Aldo up. They’re neat through there and then gallop on into the main arena. He leaves a leg on the gate into the water but Caroline sits tight and then pushes on to the finish line – 151.2 is their overall score.

5:01am

Sam and Ballyneety Rocketman are looking keen as we see them at the big combination at 15ABCD – they’re flying thus far.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Caroline Powell and CBI Aldo*

▶️ Score: 36.2 + 8 – 44.2 (39th)

📈XC Form: Badminton hero Caroline Powell heads to Paris in the traveling reserve role with her newly minted 5* winner Greenacres Special Cavalier. She’s here with the 9-year-old gelding CBI Aldo, who’s had a bit of a mixed bag of results thus far in his FEI career. He showed his inexperience at his first attempt at 5* in the spring, and Caroline sensibly put her hand up and walked him home. Before that, he’d come 4th in the 4*-S at Oudkarspel in the Netherlands, where he added just 7.2 XC time to his dressage score across the competition. He was a fair bit slower ‘round the 4*-S at Kronenberg this season, adding 17.2 time penalties that day. How will he go at Aachen? Let’s see.
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Caroline’s showing as having had problems at fence 3 – we didn’t see it but the live leaderboard is saying they’ve had 2 refusals at 3 and there’s a flag question at 4. We see them through the water at 7AB, looking well enough. Meanwhile, Sam’s in the main arena and clear jumping. He’s over the time already and finishes with 13.2 time penalties. But overall that looks to have been a good round for them.

5am

We’re seeing a couple of problems for Christoph and D’Accord. They have a drive by at the skinny brush arrowhead at 10B and then pick up more penalties when they come back round. They continue on but there’s another problem at the water at 18 – D’Accord stops at the hanging log in. Christoph brings him back round and they tentatively drop in and continue on. What a shame for them, and unusual for this horse I think. But they make their way into the main arena and Christoph will be trying to build D’Accord’s confidence over the final couple of fences.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇮🇪 Sam Watson and Ballyneety Rocketman*

▶️ Score: 40 + 4 – 44 (38th)

📈XC Form: EquiRatings’ brainbox and World Championships medalist, Sam comes to Aachen with Ballyneety Rocketman fresh from a win in the 4*-L at Millstreet in May, where he added just 9.6 XC time to his dressage score across the competition. He’s been on hot form in both his FEI events this season, very nearly finishing on his dressage score in the 4*-S at Ballindenisk in his first run of the year, claiming 5th place. He had an uncharacteristic 20 in the 4*-L Nations Cup at Boekelo last year, but they were the only jumping penalties in his five runs of the season. We know Sam’s quick – in terms of brain power and speed across the country – and this gelding seems to be a good match. Even with a 20 at Bokelo he only had 9.2 time penalties. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em!
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Christoph and D’Accord come through the finish – the score has a bit of a question mark over it on the leaderboard, so I’ll update once things are confirmed.

4:54am

Philip is clear through to fence 16AB – the double of gates. All good so far for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Christoph Wahler and d’Accord FRH*

▶️ Score: 31.2 + 12.8 – 44 (37th)

📈XC Form: Fun fact – d’Accord has the same sire as Tom McEwen’s potential Olympic mount and Kentucky runner-up JL Dublin. He was top-10 on his 5* debut at Kentucky this year, arriving in the States off the back of a 2nd place in the 4*-S at Strzegom, where he added just 2.4 XC time penalties to his dressage of 32.8. He was clear inside the time in the 4*-L Nations Cup at Boekelo last season and finished on his dressage in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen on his way to 2nd place. He’s on a streak of 9 XC clears – you have to go back to Jardy in 2022 to find a jumping penalty – and he was inside the time in 7 of those runs, adding just 2.4 time in the other two. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em!
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Philip takes the flag at the big open corner at 19A, but it looks to be OK. He splashes into the water in the main arena and is delighted when he flies through the finish. He’s pointing at Amansara. Great work from them. Clear with 9.6 time.

4:50am

Arthur and Pumba have made their way to the double of gates at 16AB – he taps the gate and there’s a bit of a shake of the head, he’ll perhaps be very glad to see the finish flags today. He makes his way through the water at 18 and runs on into the arena towards home.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇨🇭 Philip Ryan and Amansara*

▶️ Score: 38.2 + 12 – 50.2 (44th)

📈XC Form: This mare has had some very good form since stepping up to 4* last season, jumping clear across the country in all but her first attempt at the level, with just an 11 penalties for activating a frangible device in the 4*-L at Strzegom in April upsetting the list of zeros. They were 4th in the 4*-S at Montelibretti at the end of last year, where they added just 2.4 time penalties to their dressage of 37.5. They were quick ‘round the Nations Cup event there this spring too, adding just 3.6 XC time that day and finishing up 9th. So they can be clear, and they can be quick – will the two come together here at Aachen today?
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Meanwhile, Pumba rattles the fence into the water in the arena too, but they’re through there, over the last and through the finish – 20 jumping, 18 time, and there’s a missed flag in there also for a further 15 penalties.

4:46am
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⭐New starter on course:

🇫🇷 Arthur Marx and Church’ile*

▶️ Score: 38.3 + 8 – 46.3 (42nd)

📈XC Form: Arthur’s in Aachen with family homebred ‘Pumba’, whose dam and grand-dam were competed by Arthur’s dad. Fun fact – as well as running his barn at home, Arthur works in a stationery shop each morning. This pair came here last year and had a bit of a tricky time out on course, adding 35 penalties (20 jumping, 15 for a missed flag) as well as 20.4 time. Generally though, XC jumping penalties have come at 5* for them, with 10 clears from 11 runs at 4*, six of them inside the time (including both long and short format). He had a tricky time at Badminton in the spring and will be looking to get a good clear under his girth here today, hopefully a quick one.
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It’s a dramatic start for Arthur as Pumba sets off on his back legs. He sure looks keen this morning. They mark the start of the team competition. While Arthur’s hanging on, Lara’s setting up for the hanging log into the water at 18A. They turn in the air over the house in the water and comes round to the big corner complex at 19ABC. They weave through there and then over the road towards the main arena. She’s looking pure class. Lara crosses the line with a huge smile on her face – 6 seconds over. Oh no! Arthur’s had a run out at 6C – the narrow brush in the water. He kind of flew past there. He continues on though.

4:43am

Dirk Schrade is coming to the water at 18AB now – Casino’s ears are pricked and he looks to be relishing his job here today. He’s a little down on the clock as he heads towards the main arena.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇧🇪 Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Ducati d’Arville

▶️ Score: 31 + 0 – 31 (10th)

📈XC Form: Lara’s on great form having become Belgium’s first ever 5* winner a few weeks ago at Luhmuhlen. She brings Ducati d’Arville back to Aachen after finishing 10th here last year, jumping clear XC and adding just 2.8 time. This gelding is a cross country machine! In 33 FEI competitions, there’s nary a jumping penalty on his record – not one or any – zero. And he’s speedy to boot. He was clear inside the time in the 4*-L Nations Cup final at Boekelo last season on his way to coming 2nd and he’s only ever had time penalties clocking up into double figures twice – once was here in 2022, and it 10.4. He’s had two 4*-S runs this season – he was 5th at Kronenberg where he added 4.4 XC time and 2nd at Baborowko where had 1.6 XC time (and, incidentally, 1.6 SJ time also). This pair could very well be ones to watch 👀
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Dirk gets a clap from the home crowd as he comes into the arena. The clock turns red as he drops into the water and he flies through and round to the final fence and over the line – 6.4 time for them. Meanwhile, Lara’s out on her second ride – she’s up at the hanging log at 14 and clear so far.

4:40am

David Doel is clear through to the water at 18, from what we’ve seen, this looks to have been a very smooth ride. He’s heading into the final stages of the course.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Dirk Schrade and Casino 80

▶️ Score: 32 + 0 – 32 (12th)

📈XC Form: Dirk’s another one who’s under scrutiny from the Olympic selectors this weekend, but this experienced eventer’s unlikely to let the pressure get to him having been a team gold medalist at London 2012 and the World Championships in Caen in 2014. Dirk’s had the ride on Casino 80 since 2020 and they’ve had a busy season thus far after a very quiet 2023, with five FEI runs under their cinch already, including a 2nd place in the 4*-L at Marbach, where he added just 4.4 XC time to his dressage score of 28.8. He had 4.4 XC time in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen also, to finish just outside the top-10. They do have a 20 on their card this year; that came at in the 4*-S at Strzegom in April, but they’ve jumped clear in their three runs since. Casino’s been here before, back in 2019 with previous rider Peter Thomsen; he was eliminated on the cross country that day. Fingers crossed that history doesn’t in fact repeat itself.
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Dirk is clear through the combination at 11AB. But we go back to David and some problems in the main arena. He has a bit of a stumble up the step out of the water and has to circle before the B element – a really late 20 penalties for them. They cross the line – 16 time for them. That’s a real shame, but the gelding’s only a 9-year-old so will have gained an awful lot from his trip round here today.

4:35am

Calvin is absolutely flying – for sure this is the quickest we’ve seen so far.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇬🇧 David Doel and Kenzo Power B

▶️ Score: 39.1 + 8 – 47.1 (43rd)

📈XC Form: Eventer/ice-cream man and all-around nice guy, David’s here as an individual for Britain with 9-year-old gelding Kenzo Power B. Known for enjoying the European circuit, David’s focused on events primarily in the Netherlands with this guy, since taking on the ride from Belgian rider Geert Adriaensen in 2022, with a trip to Arville last season and runs at Chatsworth and Ballindenisk sprinkled in, you know, for a bit of variety. The gelding hasn’t had a single XC jumping penalty in 14 FEI competitions, although the time penalties have crept up slightly since making the step up to 4* this season – he added 13.2 last time out, on his way to 4th in the 4*-S at Maarsbergen last month. Their European campaign continues here today – how will he find eventing in Germany?
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David’s coming down to the Rolex water at 7AB and gets a very good line through there. Very neat, if a little steady. Someone who’s not steady is Calvin. He’s over the water at 18AB and is now at the big corner complex at 19. He’s looking likely to be there or thereabouts on the time. He flies into the main arena and takes on the water complex in there. He’s through the keyhole and is inside the time! 30.9 – into second for them.

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stocker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!

4:28am

Unfortunately we haven’t seen much of Julia’s round. Like, at all, really. We see her in the main arena coming home. She’s over the finish line and she’s left the door ajar – 6.4 time penalties for them – she’s in the lead on 30.3. Will she hang on?
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⭐New starter on course:

🇦🇹 Lea Siegl and Van Helsing P

▶️ Score: 28.6 + 4 – 32.6 (15th)

📈XC Form: The youngest eventer at the last edition of the Olympics (where she was 15th individually), Lea finished top-20 at Aachen in 2022 with her Tokyo ride DSP Fighting Line. She’s headed to Paris in a couple of weeks, but before that, she’s here at Aachen with Van Helsing P, her European Championships ride and the winner of the 4*-S Nations Cup at Strzegom last season. They had a 20 at Le Pin au Haras and retired on course, but that looks to be a bit of a blip in an otherwise generally clean record. They were 9th in the Nations Cup in Avenches this season, where they jumped clear and added 22.4 time penalties, but no one made the time that day. This gelding can be quick – he finished on his dressage on his way to winning the 4*-L at Montelibretti last year, and added just 3.2 time faults when he won at Strzegom. If things come together for them, this could be a combination to watch 👀
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Lea’s clear to the water at 18, but we haven’t really seen anything of her round. We are, however, seeing plenty of Calvin… Here’s a bit about him:
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera

▶️ Score: 30.9 + 0 – 30.9 (9th)

📈XC Form: This 23-year-old (Calvin, not Phantom, who, incidentally, is the former ride of fellow Aachen competitor and compatriot Sandra Auffarth) has been making a bit of a name for himself since becoming the new kid on the block of the senior ranks, and is one of the riders the Olympic selectors are keeping a close eye on with regard to designated alternates for Paris. They had a green 20 at Kentucky on their 5* debut, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re inexperienced at 4*, because they’re not. They’ve had 9 FEI runs together at the level over the last three years, including three 4*-S Nations Cup appearances – coming 9th in the at Strzegom this season where they added just 4.8 time penalties in the cross country, 10th at Jardy where they added 2.4 time, and 7th at Arville where they went clear inside the time. They’re exciting up-and-comers in the world of German eventing, that’s for sure.
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Calvin and Phantom are clear through the combination at 10AB and then quickly through 11AB. He’s got his foot down today, that’s for sure. Meanwhile, we finally see Lea crossing the finish line – 5.2 time for her, putting her in 3rd as things stand and on track for a top-10 finish.

4:21am

Lauren comes through the finish 20 seconds over the time for 11.6 penalties. A good solid round for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇰 Peter T. Flarup and Impressed

▶️ Score: 39.6 + 4 – 43.6 (36th)

📈XC Form: Another rider headed to Paris this month, Danish Olympian and World Championships rider Peter has brought this 11-year-old gelding up through the levels, and spent last season building up a fair bit of experience at the 4*-S level. In 18 FEI competitions, this gelding has just one jumping and one flag penalty on his record. He came out this season and took 3rd in the 4*-S at Kristianstad, in season, jumping clear across the country and adding 8.8 time. Generally, time has been where he’s added, with penalties usually in the mid-teens and into the twenties; he tends to get closer to the time at long format. He was clear jumping with 21.2 time last time out at Wiesbaden in May. How will he find Aachen?
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Unfortunately Peter has trouble at the Rolex water at 7AB – he runs past the angled brush shoulder in the water. There’s also a flag question at 3 for them. A couple of questions for them on the live leaderboard – I’ll update once things are confirmed.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21

▶️ Score: 23.9 + 0 – 23.9 (2nd)

📈XC Form: Reigning Olympic Champion Julia is – realistically, according to the ‘Block’ she’s sitting in on the nominated list – vying for an alternate spot for Paris, following the retirement of Tokyo mount Amande de B’Neville, who’s busy at home growing a mini ‘Mandy’. Although, she’s heading out onto cross country as clubhouse leader – Aachen is hers to lose. Nickel may not have the same kind of experience as Julia’s mare, but man, does he make up for it in pure talent, and EquiRatings have him down as second favorite for the win; he’s ranked as the second best cross country horse in the field. Since the beginning of the 2023 season, he’s racked up two wins, two 2nds, two 3rds, and a 5th, 7th and two 9th place finishes. That’s in 11 FEI runs. Yup, count ‘em up. The single anomaly is the 4*-L Nations Cup event at Boekelo last season, when he was leading going into cross country and then was one of many that day to have a trip at the water, giving Julia an early bath (she wasn’t the only one). He’s got just that fall and one other on his record, and a whole bunch of clear XC jumping – 20 clear rounds to be precise. And yup, you guessed it, he’s quick too. The most time penalties he’s ever had is 10; he had 3.2 in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen this season, where an expensive pole in the show jumping dropped them down to 9th. If you’re looking for clear and quick today, these guys are ones to watch 👀
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Peter’s continuing on his way to the narrow gate at 16. Julia is out on course but we’re with Peter for now. Peter’s at the penultimate water complex at 19ABC but the clock’s already turned red for them. They’re carrying that refusal and there is a 15 for the flag at 3 showing up for them too. He comes into the main arena and is almost there now. He comes through the water combination in there and then takes the keyhole. They complete on 136.

4:18am

You can hear the home support for Anna as she makes her way round the track. She’s up at the water at 18AB and drops in over the log and then makes a smooth turn to the house in the water. She weaves through the corners complex at 19 and then comes into the stadium towards the finish. They canter on through the water and the clock turns red. Through the keyhole finale and over the finish line. 2.8 time for them.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇳🇿 Lauren Innes and Global Fision M*

▶️ Score: 53.2 + 4 – 57.2 (45th)

📈XC Form: In real life, Lauren’s a full-time accountant and ‘Flipper’ spends his days in the field while Lauren’s at work. If you’re thinking you’re pretty sure Lauren’s British, you’re not wrong – she swapped to her dad’s nationality last season to compete under the Kiwi flag. Flipper is a true eventer, in it wholeheartedly for the cross country. He gets hot hot hot in the dressage, as you can see from his score, but get him in the start box and he’s 100% focused on the job at hand. He jumped clear ‘round Badminton in the spring (a feat he’s achieved three times, as well as producing a clear round at Burghley) and was clear in the 4*-S at Burnham Market in his season opener. In 39 FEI runs, he’s got XC jumping penalties on his card on just 5 occasions. He’s not going to be the quickest we see today, but the chances are he won’t be the slowest either. Let’s enjoy watching this true partnership in action.
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Lauren’s already at fence 13 before we see anything of her, sorry. They take on the hanging log at 14 and are clear to this point. Flipper has a little skip as he comes up the bank after the ditch, but he’s smooth over the wide brush at D and they make their way to the double of gates at 16. Flipper’s very neat over those two very upright fences and looks to be enjoying his time out on cross country far more than he likes dressage. They make an easy turn in the water at 18 and make their way into the stadium.

4:15am

Sandra’s now at the combination at 15ABCD – she gives the first part a rattle but no trouble there. Oh, she’s pulling up at the same spot Christoph did – German team orders perhaps?
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Anna Siemer and FRH Butt’s Avondale

▶️ Score: 36.4 + 4 – 40.4 (29th)

📈XC Form: As are all the German riders here at Aachen, Anna’s on the Olympic selectors’ radar, likely for a slot as an alternate reserve. This is her fourth trip to Aachen with FRH Butt’s Avondale; last year they jumped clear and added 4.4 XC time, finishing up in 16th due to an expensive couple of poles in the show jumping. They were clear inside the time in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen last month and finished on their dressage on their way to a win in the 4*-L at Sopot in Poland in May. They had a 20 in the Nations Cup 4*-L at Boekelo last season and another one earlier in the season; they retired out on course here at Aachen in 2022. By far and large though, this is a gelding who should jump clear across the country, with those errors blips in an otherwise clean record. When he has them, time penalties are in single figures. We should be looking at a solid round from this experienced pairing, let’s see if the form holds up.
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Anna’s actually been on course for a little while and is at the triple rail at fence 12. She looks like she’s feeling a bit more competitive than the other German riders thus far. They come down to the hanging log at 14 and make nothing of that. And now they’re at the bank complex at 15ABCD – she makes light work of that and kicks on.

4:10am

Christoph and Carjatan make nothing of the water ditch at 13 – it’s basically a river running under a hanging log. They cruise through the big combination at 15 and then Christoph decides to put his hand up – Paris very much on his mind.
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⭐New starter on course:

🇩🇪 Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz

▶️ Score: 29.9 + 0 – 29.9 (7th)

📈XC Form: Hoping to secure her spot on the the flight to Paris, former World Champion and three-time Olympic medalist Sandra brings 2022 Aachen winner – and, according to EquiRatings, one of the highest rated horses in the field – Viamant du Matz for another spin ‘round. They picked up too many time penalties to be competitive here last year – 17.2 – but have been quick enough in their two 4*-S runs this season, adding 7.2 XC time at Strzegom and 5.6 for 6th place at Luhmuhlen for 5th. You have to go all the way back to Tokyo to find a XC jumping penalty on their record, and then here in 2019 to find another. Impressively, from 54 FEI competitions, this gelding has just two non-completions, and has had XC jumping penalties on just 6 occasions. They’re on a streak of 15 clear cross country rounds and are – you guessed it – ones to watch 👀
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Sandra and Viamant seem to be having some troubles at 10AB – an early problem for them. They fly the brush at the top of the hill but then have a drive by at the skinny brush. They come back round and carry on, but that’ll take them out of contention here today. That’s a blow for her but she’ll put it behind her as she continues on round this track.

4:05am
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⭐Second horse on course:

🇩🇪 Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S

▶️ Score: 28 + 0 – 28 (3rd)

📈XC Form: Currently looking likely for an elusive spot on the German Olympic team (final decisions will be made following the weekend’s competition), Christoph’s no stranger to the championships podium with his compatriots, having won team gold at Pratoni. He’s here with last year’s Aachen 4th place finisher – and, according to EquiRatings, amongst the highest rated horses in the field – Carjatan S, who added just 1.6 XC time to his dressage of 33.6 twelve months ago. This impressive gelding has been runner-up at Luhmuhlen 5* (in 2021, where he finished on his dressage of 32.1), 4th at the European Championships (2023) and winner of the 4*-S at Baborowko, Poland two years running, meaning he comes here straight off the back of a win there, where he clocked up just 3.6 XC time (and 0.4 in the show jumping) to finish on 32.7; last year he finished on his dressage of 27.9. He had a bit of a blip at Marbach in the 4*-S in May, activating two frangible devices for 22 penalties, one of only five occasions where he’s had a mistake on course from 47 FEI competitions. Ones to watch methinks… 👀
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Christoph doesn’t look to have gone out flying, probably with Paris on his mind. There’s a question mark for a flag at fence 3, we’ll have to wait on confirmation for that. They drop down into the water at 6ABC and Christoph makes a tight line between the B and C elements. They gallop off towards the solid table at 8. We’re hearing that the flag penalties have been given, but that may be reviewed further. They make the tricky combination at 10AB look very simple and then loop back to the combination at 11AB – that comes up very quickly. All very straightforward so far for them.

4am

So far so good for Lara and Hermione. She’s making this tricky track look really quite easy. They’re up at the double of gates at 16AB. They come up to a rustic upright gate and then comes down the decline to another rustic gate. She’s spot on the time. They come to the second water at 18 and make a lovely sweeping line to the house in the water at B. They make nothing of the corners combination at 19 – a big open corner at A, over a brush topped box and then onto another open corner at C. No problems. They’re similarly smooth through the water in the main arena and then over the last. 3.6 time for them – what a great first round. That’ll give the others to go a whole bunch of confidence.

3:58am
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⭐First out on course:

🇧🇪 Lara de Liedekeike-Meier and Hermione d’Arville

▶️ Score: 34.1 + 0 – 34.1 (19th)

📈XC Form: Since the beginning of the 2023 season, this mare has had XC jumping penalties twice in 10 runs and has jumped clear in all of her four runs this season. When she’s clear, she’s quick – she’s been inside the time at long format, finishing 3rd at Montelibretti last year, and generally keeps penalties to single figures at short format. She was 7th in the 4*-S at Luhmuhlen last year, where she jumped a speedy clear with just 3.2 time penalties, and followed that up with a clear jumping and 2.8 time at the Nations Cup leg in Jardy. She had 4.4 time in her most recent run in the 4*-S at Baborowko where she finished 6th. Lara’s on a high after her Luhmuhlen 5* win – will that carry her clear and quick ‘round the track today? We’ll soon see!
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And they’re off over the first and getting the competition at Aachen started. They fly the hay cart at fence 2 and then take the solid corner at 3 – riders get to choose to go right or left there. The first water comes at 6ABC – they’re over the skinny brush roll top and then over the bridge into the water. The narrow brush in the water is no bother for them, it’s a tricky line through there but Lara and Hermione make absolutely nothing of it. That’ll have given Lara confidence at the start of this course. They’re just as good through the tricky combination at 10AB and come round to the wide brush and angled log at 11AB. Oh no, Hermione’s lost a shoe – we see it fly off. Lara’s aware though. Let’s hope that it doesn’t affect them.

EN’s coverage of CHIO Aachen in 2024 is brought to you with support from Deirdre Stocker Vaillancourt Real Estate, your prime choice for Aiken, SC property!

Thursday News & Notes

As promised, today we’ll turn our attention to the marvelous displays of equestrianism happening over in Germany at the World Equestrian Festival. The USA is the ‘home’ nation at this year’s event, so there’s plenty of stars and stripes support for the Americans over in Aachen. And on that note, happy Fourth of July to our American followers who are celebrating 🇺🇸

The equestrian extravaganza that is CHIO Aachen kicked off with the vaulters having their turn in the spotlight and then, on Tuesday, all eyes turned toward the show jumping ring. The dressage arena came into play on Wednesday and today, the driving course gets in on the mix.

But don’t fret, eventing fans don’t have much longer to wait, for tomorrow morning the dressage will get underway, with the show jumping in the evening, and then we finish things up with the cross country on Saturday, hooray!

Here are the times you need to know:

Friday 8:30am CEST / 2:30am ET – Dressage

Friday 5:45pm CEST / 11:45am ET – Show jumping

Saturday 9:55am CEST / 3:55am ET – Cross country

I’ll be bringing you live updates from Saturday’s cross country as we find out who’ll take the Aachen crown, and of course, Tilly will be keeping you up-to-date with every phase of the competition. Keep it locked onto EN and go eventing in Aachen!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Arrowhead H.T. (Billings, MT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Mile High Horse Ranch H.T. (Parker, CO) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Summer Coconino HT and Western Underground, Inc. TR,N,BN 3 Day Event (Flagstaff, AZ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Maryland International + Horse Trials (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Aston-le-Walls International (2) (Northamptonshire) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

European International Events

World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen (Germany) [Website] [Program – All Disciplines] [Program – Eventing] [Entries – All Disciplines] [Entries – Eventing] [US Eventing Team] [British Eventing Team] [Live Stream] [Results – All Disciplines] [Results – Eventing] [EN’s Coverage]

Thursday News and Reading

Dive into the excitement of Aachen with EquiRatings as they make all the predictions about this weekend’s eventing. There are stars galore in the line up at Aachen, and quite a few combinations with the potential to shake things up. Nicole and Diarm discuss them all in this Aachen preview show.

Team talks prior to Paris are happening. Hoping for the luck of the Irish, Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Senior High Performance Director Dag Albert talks building horsepower, peaking at the right time and the strongest ever strength and depth in the Irish team. Read what he has to say as he looks forward to, potentially, Ireland’s best Olympics yet.

King of dressage Carl Hester hits the big screen. From making his Olympic debut in 1992 as the youngest British athlete, to heading to Paris as the oldest, Carl has been not only a mainstay, but a powerful force within British equestrianism. He truly is an inspiration across the horseworld. And now his story is set to inspire even more people, as it’s given the biopic treatment and heads to the big screen. Stride will be at the top of our ‘to watch’ list, for sure.

‘No stirrup November’ wasn’t for this rider, so she tried out ‘No spurs April’ instead. It turns out that it was a darned good leg workout! But aside from that, there were allsorts of ‘a-ha’ moments about both her riding skills and the way her horses worked. From improving her own fitness to having horses that were light on her aids, she discovered a bunch of benefits to her experiment. Read more in this interesting piece from The Plaid Horse.

Video Break

Behold the spectacle of the opening ceremony at Aachen, this year celebrating all things American. Think cheerleaders, football, Barbie, country music, the reigning Miss World, wagons, cowboy boots, and yes, even a real, live eagle entering on horseback. There’s loads of cool content happening on the CHIO Aachen YouTube channel – it’s in German but the pictures alone are well worth a look.

Wednesday News & Notes

We’ve well and truly succumbed to a serious bout of Olympic fever here at EN. Obviously the eventing’s causing significantly high levels of giddiness, but oh, the crip walking, um, I mean, dressage… Sure, we love to see the impressive work produced by the top level horses and riders, but man, we really love to hear Snoop Dog talking about it even more. It’s gonna be off the chain gangster, aye!

Don’t think in all the madness we’ve forgotten the World Equestrian Festival that’s going on in Germany. We’ll be comin’ at ya with all things Aachen over the next few days. Stay tuned ENers, and go eventing!

In the meantime, here are the links you need to get acquainted with all things Aachen:

World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen:
[Website] [Program – All Disciplines] [Program – Eventing] [Entries – All Disciplines] [Entries – Eventing] [US Eventing Team] [British Eventing Team] [Live Stream] [Results – All Disciplines] [Results – Eventing] [EN’s Coverage]

U.S. Weekend Preview

Arrowhead H.T. (Billings, MT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Mile High Horse Ranch H.T. (Parker, CO) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Summer Coconino HT and Western Underground, Inc. TR,N,BN 3 Day Event (Flagstaff, AZ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Maryland International + Horse Trials (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Aston-le-Walls International (2) (Northamptonshire) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

European International Events

World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen (Germany) [Website] [Program – All Disciplines] [Program – Eventing] [Entries – All Disciplines] [Entries – Eventing] [US Eventing Team] [British Eventing Team] [Live Stream] [Results – All Disciplines] [Results – Eventing] [EN’s Coverage]

Wednesday News and Reading

Here’s your chance to give Team GB an extra boost this Olympics. British Equestrian has set up a special Paris post box and will be collecting together messages of support and ‘bon chance’ from the public for the teams to take with them as they head to the Games. Here’s how to get involved.

A new resource for the horse world in Britain – PADDOX event listings. This initiative brings all manner of equestrian events together in an easy-to-use format – just type in your postcode and the distance you’re willing to travel and select the type of event you’re looking for. From arena booking and fun rides to Pony Club and training events, there’s something for all equestrians. The free search facility is open for a limited time with a monthly membership available for £3.99. Find out more here.

No, it’s not deja vu, military horses have in fact once more bolted through the streets of London. Thankfully, this time the incident wasn’t quite as dramatic as last time, with no serious injuries to either horses or riders. But horses galloping through city centers? Scary.

Not only have I fallen off before the first fence in the show jumping ring, I’ve also eaten dirt in the dressage arena – events that perhaps weren’t so funny then as they are now, looking back. We’ve all had them, moments at shows that make a good story. COTH has wrangled their readers’ funniest horse show exploits together and gathered them together in this red-cheeked list of funsies. There’s nothing like a bit of sharing to take the sting out of mortal shame.

And whilst we’re on the topic of the weird and wonderful happenings at horse shows, this squirrel must’ve had the fright of his life when he realized he’d inadvertently taken up residence in a fence at Luhmuhlen and now there were giant beasts thundering through his front porch. Zoom in to spot the little critter making a swift exit. No need to fret over his fate – he was safely escorted off course by a fence judge and politely advised to stick to actual trees in future.

Celebrity horsegirl Shania Twain, teased us that she wanted to take to the Glastonbury stage on horseback, alas, it wasn’t to be, however, horses did get their gig in the Legend’s slot at the festival, kind of.

Video Break

Beer pong schmeer pong. Behold the best drinking game, like ever. Although, if alcohol’s not your jam, this looks like it’d be just as fun sober. Make like it’s 2020 and stock up on toilet paper, break out your Breyers, and go racing!

Wednesday News & Notes

Aachen approacheth…

Whilst eventers have to wait ‘til next week to get our Aachen started (July 5th to be exact), the equestrian extravaganza that is the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen is all set to get things underway this Friday — first up, vaulting. Despite the clear and present plethora of differences between the two disciplines, in fact, there’s an eventing interest in the women’s individual vaulting competition, which comes in the form of Ursula Levett. Think that name rings a bell? You’re right, for Ursula — who competes for Great Britain – is none other than Australian eventing stalwart Bill Levett’s daughter.

If you’ve never partaken in this unique discipline, have at all the sparkles and spangles you can handle, as well as the ridiculously impressive, jaw-dropping feats of acrobatics (which are, yes, performed on galloping horses, really) via the livestream on ClipMyHorse (subscription required).

For now, here are all the links you need to get yourself acquainted with what’s in store at Aachen:

World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen: [Website] [Program – All Disciplines] [Program – Eventing] [Entries – All Disciplines] [Entries – Eventing] [US Eventing Team] [British Eventing Team] [Live Stream] [Results – All Disciplines] [Results – Eventing] [EN’s Coverage]

I am reasonably reliably informed that today is Chocolate Pudding Day. On that note, dig in, and go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. and Area III Eventing Championships (Chattahoochee Hills, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Full Moon Farm HT (Finksburg, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Inavale Farm HT (Philomath, OR) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Larkin Hill H.T. (North Chatham, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Summer Coconino H.T. I (Flagstaff, AZ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Twin Rivers Summer H.T. (Paso Robles, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Burgham International (Northumberland) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

European International Events

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Wednesday News and Reading

To celebrate the launch of Canter Culture’s first riding top, the Alice Sun Shirt, Canter Culture is giving away an entire outfit! For your chance to win an Alice Sun Shirt, one pair of Athletic Breeches, Boot Socks, and a Double Circle Belt, all you have to do is sign up for our newsletter and fill out the form in the 7/1 ICYMI Newsletter! Winner will select color options & sizing. Canter Culture seamlessly blends style & sport, so all that’s left to do is enjoy the ride. Stay tuned — we’ll announce the winner in our weekly newsletter on 7/1! Sign up for our newsletter here.

The Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant is now open to qualified applicants! Find out more here.

Update on 5* eventer Louise Harwood following a serious, non-horse related, accident. Louise says she’s grateful for all the love and support she’s received. She’s waiting on X-ray results and in the meantime, hasn’t lost her characteristic, infectious smile. Take a look.

Royal horsegirl, eventing star of yesteryear, and Zara Tindall’s mom, Princess Anne has been treated for minor injuries and concussion following a run-in with a horse at home. At the time of writing, it’s not clear whether she was kicked or headbutted — she’s conscious but concussed, so the details are a little fuzzy. She’s due to stay in hospital until next week. As well as reporting the incident, this piece has some cool extra info about this accomplished equestrian.

Hot on Horse Nation: How Much? Horses are spendy. Very spendy at times. Very, very… You get the message (because you’re probably living it, right?). All this spendiness occurs, sometimes because we can’t resist that thing we don’t need but we’re going to buy another one of anyway; sometimes because horses seem to have a sixth sense about when we really can’t afford a vet’s bill and choose those moments to test the maximum limits of our love for them; and sometimes because we got sucked in by the reviews on that super expensive thingy and launch ahead with our bank details yelling, take my money. You know it. But aside from frivolity and irresponsible horse behavior, even just to meet a horse’s basic needs can take up an awful lot of cash, and when times are tough, well, it’s tough. That’s the topic of conversation currently over at Horse Nation. Check out the results of a recent cost of living survey by the National Equine Welfare Council, and join the discussion on the cost of horses, here.

And finally, horses meet high fashion. To plug the gap of fabulous things happening in France as Paris awaits its Opening Ceremony, Vogue World has taken fashion to the Place Vendôme. And how is this relevant to us, horsenerds? Well, supermodels Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner were strutting their stuff for all of us as they showed up in style on horseback. Check out their horsegirl chic here.

Video Break

Whet your appetite for all things Aachen with this highlights taster from last year’s spectacular:

Thursday News & Notes from Ecogold

It’s a … future Olympic eventing champion – probably.

In case you hadn’t guessed, the mama-to-be is reigning Olympic champion Amande De B’Neville, who made history with Julia Krajewski in Tokyo when they became the first women to win individual eventing gold (as far as we’re able to tell from available records, we believe ‘Mandy’ was the first mare to take the title).

Julia shared the happy announcement on her Instagram account, and it’s fair to say, it’s pretty exciting news for the future of eventing:

“I am DELIGHTED to share the news that Mandy is in foal by Cascadello 🥰 it’s been safely confirmed but obviously early days, so fingers crossed 🤞🏼 I wanted to let you know because it made me VERY happy and some people have been asking 🤗

As to the father to be, Cascadello was a bit of the obvious choice for her first foal. As some might know, he is owned (and possibly one of his absolute favorites) by Professor Bernd Heicke (@gestuet_fohlenhof) who also owns Mandy with me. To have a foal by your own stallion out of your own Olympic Gold medalist mare is probably something every breeder/horse owner dreams of, so that was a no-brainer ❤️

If it will be an eventer time will tell but pretty sure it can jump 😂💥 for now I hope for no complications and that Mandy can enjoy the time with her mare crew on the field 🥰”

Congrats to Mandy and the team!

In other eventing news, the fourth leg of the FEI Nations Cup kicks off in Poland this week. Switzerland and Italy are currently tied at the top of the leaderboard after racking up valuable series points in Avenches, with Australia on their heels in third. Check out the current standings here. Ordinarily, Nations Cup events are free to watch via the FEI YouTube Channel – the links weren’t up at time of writing, but we’ll share them once they’re available. The whole event from Strzegom is available to watch on ClipMyHorse (subscription required).

Go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. (Barrington Hills, IL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO) [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Stable View Summer H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Alnwick Ford International (Northumberland) [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]

International Events

Strzegom Horse Trials & FEI Nations Cup (Poland) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [FEI YouTube Channel – NC Free Live Stream] [Whole Event Live Stream via CMH] [Scoring]

SemaLease Kilguilkey House International 1 (Ireland) [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring]

Thursday News and Reading

A discussion hosted by World Horse Welfare last week raised some salient points about social license. WHW Chief Executive Roly Owers, racing broadcaster Nick Luck, and British eventer Tina Cook (who also has links to racing), were amongst the expert panel, which was brought together to discuss the latest research into the public’s perception of equestrian sports, which, worryingly, found there to have been little change in attitudes towards horse sports, despite a number of initiatives employed across a range of equestrian disciplines specifically designed to address the public’s concerns. There was a suggestion that live feeds should be available of warm up areas, in order to improve transparency and help avoid damaging photos or short video clips (often shared online) which take the true situation out of context, however not everyone on the panel agreed that this would generate positive change, in terms of public understanding or improved welfare. Transparency was also discussed regarding horses’ lives post-retirement, particularly in racing. The focus on presenting the harmony between horse and rider is an area where we’ve seen real change recently, and is still high on the agenda. One thing’s for sure, we can’t dismiss the opinions of the public, whether we consider them knowledgeable about horses or not. Animal welfare is an emotive topic, and we’ve seen how change can be enforced through social license in the removal of the show jumping element of Modern Pentathlon (which comes into play following the Paris Olympics). Welfare is everyone’s business.

Olympic teams are incoming (!!!) and Japan’s hopeful for Paris success. It’s almost a century since Takeichi Nishi and Uranus carried their gold medal on the long trip home from LA in 1932, and after impressing in Tokyo with Kazuma Tomoto tantalizingly close to the individual podium, coming in fourth with Vinci De La Vigne, hopes are high in the Japanese camp as we near this summer’s Games. Kazu and Vinci head to Paris with Yoshiaki Oiwa and MGH Grafton Street and Ryuzo Kitajima and Be My Daisy or Cekatinka, with Toshiyuki Tanaka and Jefferson in reserve. Read more about Japan’s Olympic bid, and how they’re drawing inspiration from history.

And while we’re on the topic of the Olympics… Check out this cool photo gallery which merges sporting disciplines with Parisian historical sites. Eventing didn’t make the cut, sadly, but show jumping stepped up for the horse world with France’s Pénélope Leprevost bringing a bit of horse girl chic to La Galerie des Glaces in the Palace of Versailles.

You may remember the news story from a few weeks ago about the Household Cavalry horses which were involved in a series of accidents as they bolted through the city of London. Well, whilst the two horses who sustained the most series injuries continue to recuperate at The Horse Trust, the others are back up to speed, and one had a pretty special job to do on his return to work – escorting the King of England during His birthday parade. In further celebrations of the day, this rider took a hot minute out of his royal duties to pop the question. Huzzahs all round!

And finally, I’m not altogether sure whether beloved equestrian broadcaster Claire Balding is aware that she’s been created in biscuit form on national TV, but indeed she has, in The Great British Baking Show’s Stand Up to Cancer celebrity special. Contestants were asked to make cookies representing their celebrity doppelganger, and well, all I can say is that you really need to see the result for yourself… Click here for funsies.

Sponsor Corner

Big congratulations to Kailyn and Sophie on a successful prelim competition at Middleburg Horse Trials. Check out the Ecogold saddle pad Kailyn is using! Looking for a saddle pad that’s designed to withstand the test of cross country? Shop now.

Video Break

Safe to say, I am just a smidge jealous of Andrew Hoy’s little girl. What a lucky young lady to have access to all that eventing excellence 24/7. And as if that isn’t enough, she’s taking after her dad and having riding lessons with eventing royalty Captain Mark Phillips. My eyes couldn’t get any greener, and I couldn’t be more excited for the future of eventing with this kind of star quality coming up through the ranks. You go girl!

Wednesday News & Notes

One of my favorite things following an event is seeing the homecoming celebrations for the horses.

ICYMI, on Monday Abby shared scenes from the de Liedekerke-Meier camp as Luhmühlen 5* champ Hooney d’Arville received her winner’s welcome.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that notching up yet another success in the Jung barn is just part and parcel of being, well, Michael Jung, but in a sport with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows – with, at the very least, a kiddie rollercoaster’s worth of ups and downs, and round and rounds, in the middle – it’s so important to celebrate every single win. OK, for Michi Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH that means being crowned German National Champions, but for us mortals, whether you’re going eventing or just riding for fun, remembering to give a big whoop at even the tiniest hint of a win is my number one rule when it comes to horses.

So, big whoops all round, and go eventing!

PS – Becoming German Champion wasn’t the only thing on Michael’s agenda last weekend – he also had his dad/trainer hat on as little Lio Jung made his Luhmühlen debut. I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping this becomes a ‘then and now’ photo recreation in a couple of decades time, when Lio’s following in dad’s footsteps and taking the German title himself. Watch this space!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. (Barrington Hills, IL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO) [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Stable View Summer H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Alnwick Ford International (Northumberland) [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]

International Events

Strzegom Horse Trials & FEI Nations Cup (Poland) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [FEI YouTube Channel – Free Live Stream] [Scoring]

SemaLease Kilguilkey House International 1 (Ireland) [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring]

Wednesday News and Reading

Our thoughts are with British 5* eventer Louise Harwood, who has suffered serious injuries in a non-riding related accident. We’re sending love to Louise and her family and friends.

With Paris teams incoming, all eyes are on the lucky ones who’ve earned their spot on the most elite of shortlists – like Ireland’s Susie Berry. Susie will be making her Olympic debut this summer, and our very own Tilly talked to her a couple of months ago for a COTH article, before she knew she’d be on the flight to France. Here’s what she had to say about the dizzying prospect of Olympic selection, that’s now a reality.

In a win for equestrianism in the mainstream, the BBC has committed to broadcasting Badminton Horse Trials highlights for the next two years. We all know that watching every second of the entire event on Badminton TV – from the first horse at the Horse Inspection to the winner leaving the ring after their lap of honor – is eventing nerds’ idea of a fun five days, but for those people who enjoy watching a bit of eventing when it’s on the telly, highlights shows like the BBC Badminton one are really important. They give us a chance to show off our sport – and share how special it is – to a wider audience, and who knows, a future eventer may be sat on their sofa, mouth agape at the awesomeness of cross country, plotting ways to convince their parents that riding lessons make the perfect birthday gift.

A new Puissance record has been set – a whopping 2.21m (7ft 3in)! Puissance horses are pretty special entities, particularly those that come out show after show and demonstrate the scope and talent, bravery and bolshiness required for this specialist class, topping the table time after time. Horses like Guy Williams’ Mr Blue Sky UK and Elliott Smith’s Flamboyant III. It’s a class that’s pretty unique, and not just for fact that there’s only a couple of fences to jump, one being the famous – and enormous – big red wall, but in that it’s possible to have multiple victors, as was the case last weekend at Bolesworth International Horse Show. The competition started out with twelve (including Guy’s daughter, Maisy), and as the wall grew, the field was whittled down until, in the final round, Mr Blue Sky UK and Flamboyant III cleared the record-breaking 2.21m behemoth and took the win between them.

Video Break

The FEI have released a new campaign ahead of the Paris Olympics, celebrating the bond between horse and rider – ‘A Bond Like No Other’. This video is just the start, with plans to promote the campaign throughout the Games with the aim of raising awareness of the equestrian Olympic disciplines and highlighting the partnership the human athletes have with their equine teammates. Read more about the campaign here.

“An animal like no other. A sport like no other. A team like no other. Horse & Human … it’s an unbreakable bond of care. A Bond Like No Other. 💜🐴”

Refresh, Refresh, Refresh, and Go Eventing! – Live Blog from the 5* Cross Country at Luhmühlen

Let’s Do This Thang!

And so we reach the midpoint of the 5* season – Adelaide, Kentucky and Badminton are in the rearview, and there’s just three more to come after this week. But right here, right now, Luhmühlen’s happening and we’re comin’ at ya live from Germany (well, via Wales, UK) to bring you all of the action from the 5* cross country.

First, a look at the clubhouse leaderboard heading into today’s competition. It’s a British 1, 2, 3, 4 as things stand, with Germany slotting into fifth after the first phase:

1️⃣ Reigning European champ, Ros Canter leads the way with Pau winner Izilot DHI on a score of 24.9.

2️⃣ Kentucky runner-up and Olympic team gold and individual silver medalist, Tom McEwen is 3.4 points behind the lead with 5* first-timer Brookfield Quality – they’re on a score of 28.3.

3️⃣ Here to defend her title, last year’s Luhmühlen winner, Laura Collett is just 2.3 points behind Tokyo Olympic teammate Tom – she rounds out the podium places after the dressage with Hester on 30.6.

4️⃣ Tom McEwen’s got two rides in the top-4 – he’s just 0.2 points off the podium with Pau 2021 runner-up CHF Cooliser; they’re on a score of 30.8.

5️⃣ Just 0.1 behind, Nicolai Aldinger’s got the home crowd advantage as he takes to the course with 5* debutant Timmo – they’re on 30.9.

The scores are really tight, right the way from the top to the bottom of the table, so every second will totally count out on course today.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

Here are the links you need to catch up on all that went down in the dressage:

▶️ 5* Dressage Day One
▶️ 5* Dressage Day Two

Our trailblazer today will be Tom McEwen on the first of his two rides CHF Cooliser – they’re due to get things underway at 8:45am CEST / 2:45am ET.

🇺🇲 If you’re following the US camp, here are the times you need:

Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna will have their say at 3:53am ET.
Emily Hamel and Corvett will set off at 4:57am ET.

if you want to see when your favorites will be heading out of the start box, you’ll find the ride times here.

You can follow along with the form as you enjoy all the country action with EN’s epic Form Guide, which you’ll find right here.

While you’re eagerly awaiting the first countdown of the day, check out what the runners and riders will be facing as they thunder along the track, in Tilly’s photo gallery here, and if you want to know the riders’ thoughts on this year’s cross country offering, we’ve wrangled them together and given them to you here.

And when you’re done with all that, feast your eyes on all of EN’s Luhmühlen content and mosey on along to our IG account @goeventing where there’s a bunch of great content going on.

I’ll be here from the first rider out on course to the last to leave the start box, 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 ⬆️.

Refresh, refresh, refresh – and go eventing!

EN’s coverage of the Longines Luhmühlen 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!

Longines Luhmühlen: Website | Entries | Timetable | Live Scores | Tickets | Livestream | EN’s Coverage

6:17am

And so the 5* cross country draws to a close at Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials. What a morning – storms, thunder, lightning, hurricane, flooding, torrential rain, and a fallen tree. And a shake up of the order.

The clubhouse leaderboard as we head into the finale looks like this:

1️⃣ Britain’s Ros Canter and Izilot DHI stay in the lead with a clear round, adding just 2 time penalties to go into tomorrow’s show jumping on a score of 26.9.
2️⃣ Ireland’s Jennifer Kuehnle and Polly Blue Eyes have scooted themselves up 20 places to sit in second after today’s action – a valuable clear inside the time for them sees them on a score of 35.5.
3️⃣ Belgium’s Lara De Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney D’Arville have moved up into third after adding just 4 time penalties out on course – they’re on a score of 35.6.

For the US, Emily Hamel and Corvett are in 16th on 53.5 and Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna are in 31st on 97.4.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

Tomorrow we’ll know who will take the fourth 5* crown of the season. Will there be a scuffle on the scoreboard? Where will your favorites end up? It’s all to play for as the final day beckons.

We’ll have a full round-up of all of today’s competition for you – Tilly’s pounding the keys (and wringing out her socks) as we speak – eyes on EN for that, coming soon.

In the meantime, click here for all the Luhmühlen content you can handle.

Until next time ENers, go eventing!

6:11am

And that’s it from what’s been a dramatic conclusion to the 5* competition at Luhmuhlen. Leaderboard coming…

6:10am

Jennifer and Sammy Davis Junior are over the last and through the finish flags – 14 time penalties for them – a great round for them.

6:09am

Jennifer’s giving us as masterclass as she chases down the optimum time. The wind’s picking up again, but there is blue sky. The weather just needs to stay on side for a couple more minutes.

6:08am

Christoffer and Con Classic are over the last and through the flags – a steady clear for them, with a couple of long routes – 51.2 time for them.

6:07am

We’re back with the pictures now. Christoffer is at the second last, still clear, as Jennifer whips through the Main Arena – she cuts the corner and then comes round to the c element and flies it. They charge out of the arena on towards the finish.

6:05am

We’ve temporarily (I hope) lost the feed, but the live scoreboard’s showing Christoffer as clear over the big spread at 27 – he’s almost home. Jennifer’s at the Messmer water and is clear through there.

6:02am

Jennifer’s wasting not a second as she gallops round the track with Sammy Davis Junior). Meanwhile, Christoffer and Con Classic are on his way to the Main Arena. The crowd support them with a clap as they splash through. Everything’s looking smooth and easy for them. Jennifer’s still riding by the seat of her pants and she shoots through the first water at 13 & 14ab, she’s leaving nothing on the table.

6am

And now our final horse is underway:

🇮🇪 Jennifer Kuehnle and Sammy Davis Junior
📈 Form:
XC – Since Jennifer took over the reins from Cathal Daniels in 2021, this pair have only had one XC jumping penalty in 12 FEI runs. They jumped clear in the 4*-L at Boekelo last season, adding 12.4 time penalties, which tells us they won’t be the swiftest in the pack today, as there are a few combinations here who made the time there.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here this week.

The put in a massive leap over the wide brush oxer at 5b and Jennifer does a superb job keeping Sammy Davis Junior between hand and leg to go straight over the c element. They could go into second with a clear inside the time. Meanwhile, Christoffer is clear through the first water and is on his way towards the second.

5:56am

The penultimate combination to go in the 5* is out on course:

🇸🇪 Christoffer Forsberg and Con Classic
📈 Form:
XC – In 26 FEI runs, Con Classic has XC jumping penalties on his record on just four occasions. He’s been clear at 4*-L a couple of times. He wouldn’t be the quickest in the field, but will be far from the slowest if things come together for them.
Luhmühlen – The gelding contested the 3*-S at Luhmühlen in 2022. Christoffer competed in the 5* in 2017.
5⭐ – Con Classic went to Burghley last year and is looking for his first 5* completion here this week after a rider fall ended his competition early. Christoffer was top-20 there back in 2010.

Christoffer seems to be looking for a steady clear as he sets off for his round. He’s clear over the bird’s nest at 8 and picks up the pace a bit to clear the massive ditch brush at 9. The ground looks amazing despite all that rain.

5:54am

Oh dear, Tom’s put his hand up. There was a little blood in Brookfield Quality’s nose. Tom pulls him straight up. All looks to be fine, they’re walking home. A really, really difficult round for them, nothing they could possibly have prepared for. But they’re both fine, and that’s all that matters in the grand scheme of things. There’s always another competition.

5:53am

And we’re back up and running!

Tom’s galloping through the Main Arena to huge cheers. What a first 5* experience for Brookfield Quality. They’re on their way towards the finish.

5:49am

Understandably, it’s safety first at Luhmuhlen. It looks like we’ll be held for a little bit. Disappointing in any competition, but in the final stages of a 5*, a difficult decision for the organizers. Tom’s super experienced though and will be managing things with Brookfield Quality. He’s the only one out on course. I’ll be back as soon as there’s further news.

5:46am

There’s a bit of clear sky bringing hope that things will be back underway soon. We’re just hearing that during the hold on course, a tree’s come down – when the storm ripped through the site. The conditions are good for the competition to go, but the tree’s holding things up now. What a difficult time for the organizers.

5:42am

Tom’s being held at 19, the fence after the Messmer water. The weather looks to be settling. The ground teams are doing a fabulous job at putting things back together. Everyone looks absolutely soaked. Oh my, there’s lightning now, and distant thunder. Lucinda’s counting the seconds between the flashes and booms and predicts the storm is around 3 minutes away. Drama at Luhmuhlen. And just three combinations to go. Hopefully things will get going again before long.

5:39am

It’s being described as a mini hurricane ripping through Luhmuhlen. There’s flags floating in the water. The photographers are desperately trying to keep dry. Quite understandably, Tom has been stopped out on course and we’re being held for the time being while the weather calms.

I missed a new starter, sorry:

🇮🇪 Susie Berry and Kilcandra Capitol
📈 Form:
XC – This guy jumped clear in the 4*-L at Kronenberg this season and in 18 FEI competitions has only had penalties on three occasions – a 20, a 15 and an 11. He added 34.8 time penalties at Kronenberg and 13.6 at Blair Castle in 2022, his only other 4*-L run.
Luhmühlen – Susie came to Luhmühlen last year with her other ride here this week and came 11th.
5⭐ – Kilcandra Capitol is making his 5* debut here this week. Susie made her debut at the level in 2022 at Badminton, where she finished 17th. She was just outside the top-20 at Kentucky this season.

They had troubles at 18b and the live scoreboard is showing them as retired. We’ve seen them walking off course.

5:38am

Tom’s riding his socks off on Brookfield Quality, really supporting the gelding around this tricky track. Oh no! Nicolai and Timmo have run into problems at the final water – they pick up at 20 at 26b. That is such a shame for them. And in more drama, oh my! The weather! It’s absolutely bucketing down, the wind’s really picked up and one of the boards in the Main Arena is flying around. The decorations are blowing all over the place as a storm comes through the site. We’re looking for Tom – everyone’s taking shelter. Goodness me.

5:34am

Nicolai and Timmo are hunting their way round and are at the first water – 13 & 14abc. Meanwhile, Katie and Goldlook have had more trouble in the Main Arena – at 21a – and she’s put her hand up. The rain’s coming down again.

Our second-place in the clubhouse combination are now out on course:

🇬🇧 Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality
📈 Form:
XC – This gelding has jumped clear in his three FEI runs with Tom (he was formerly piloted by Piggy March), including the 4*-L at Blenheim last season. In 22 competitions, he’s had jumping penalties just once. He’s speedy too, with any time penalties staying firmly in the single figures. He’s been inside the time at 4*-L. This could be one to watch 👀
Luhmühlen – Brookfield Quality is making his 5* debut here this week. Tom’s been here three times, and was runner-up in 2019.
5⭐ – Tom’s got one 5* win under his belt (Pau, 19) and has been runner-up four times (Kentucky 23 &24; Pau 21; Luhmühlen 19). He’s also been 3rd at Pau (23) and 4th at Badminton (23) and Burghley (17).

Brookfield Quality’s giving Corvett airlines a run for him money as he gets his round underway – up he goes, absolutely launching himself over the early fences. Further on round the course, Nicolai and Timmo are clear to the solid corner at 20 before heading into the Main Arena. The crowd go wild for the German combination. They’re flying. Timmo nearly runs left at the c element, not meaning to miss it, just following the trajectory – but Nicolai holds him in and off they gallop towards the finish.

5:29am

Oh no! Katie and Goldlook have a drive by at the first water – 14a. He didn’t seem to see the fence after making the big drop over the log in at 13. Meanwhile, Robbie is coming to the final water at 25 & 26ab.

We’re into the final five horses and riders now, and the fifth place combination after the dressage. Cue the German cheers, we have a new starter out on course:

🇩🇪 Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo
📈 Form:
XC – An incredibly rare problem out on cross country saw them bow out of the European Championships last season – before that they were on a XC jumping clear streak of 17 runs. They’ve been clear in their four outings since the Euros. This gelding truly is a cross country machine. Not only is his clear record impressively, well, clear, he’s also speedy. He added just 1.2 time penalties in the 4*-L at Boekelo last season, and 3.6 ‘round the notoriously tough Blenheim 4*-L track in 2022. eyes on for a leaderboard climb today 🪜
Luhmühlen – The gelding has three top-20 places in the 4*-S here. Nicolai made his 5* debut here in 2017 but didn’t complete after withdrawing before the Final Horse Inspection.
5⭐ – Timmo was due to make his 5* debut here last season, but was retired in the First Horse inspection. Incredibly, this is only Nicolai’s third start at the level – he was 13th at Pau in 2019.

Katie looks to have put that run out behind her as she approaches the Messmer water, but oh no! She picks up another 20 at 18b. They manage the bounce beautifully and Katie’s really riding forward, but he slides off to the right of the skinny triple brush on the way out.

5:25am

Patrick and Ikoon Lan are through the finish – currently he’s showing as having 35 jumping and 25.2 time, but there’s a question on the flag penalties so we’ll watch for that to perhaps be updated. Oh no! Highway and Bella have had a run out at 21c in the Main Arena, such a shame so close to home. They continue on though. And there’s problems for Robbie at the first water – Ballyvillane Obos climbs all over the log in at 13, and then runs past the a element of 14. They come back round and then, oh dear, have another glance off at 14b. They come back round again and continue on.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Katie Bleloch and Goldlook
📈 Form:
XC – This gelding jumped clear in both his FEI runs this season, and both last season. There are a couple of 20s on his card, but plenty of clears. He hasn’t done a long format since 2021. In his last 4*-S run he added 22 time penalties.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here this week.

Bella and Highway are now through the finish – 20 jumping for that late run out and 18 time penalties for them.

5:20am

Patrick has a great ride through the Main Arena for the combination at 21abc and is now heading for home. Bella and Highway are clear through the first water and galloping through the woods.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇮🇪 Robbie Kearns and Ballyvillane Obos
📈 Form:
XC – Since Robbie took on the ride at the beginning of last season, this combination haven’t had a XC jumping penalty. They added 11.6 time in the 4*-L at Boekelo last year.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here this week.

Robbie’s clear through the bird’s nest at 8 with the first three combinations safely behind them. Meanwhile, Bella’s at the Messmer water – she keeps this extravagant gelding really well contained through there, and they gallop away.

5:17am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Bella Innes-Ker and Highway
📈 Form:
XC – They had a 20 at Pau on their debut at the level, and another one in the 4*-L at Boekelo last season. Prior to that, you have to go back to 2021 to find jumping penalties on their card.
5⭐ – This pair made their 5* debut at Pau last year and finished 33rd.

Patrick’s flag penalty has been taken away, so he’s clear at 5, although there’s a bit of a question at the first water – 14abc. He might have crossed his tracks – the live scoreboard’s showing a 20 at the c element there. David’s at the second last, clear and seemingly characteristically quick. And, oh, there’s more trouble for Patrick at 15c – another 20 picked up there, they continue on. David and Galileo are through the finish and clear inside the time!!! 17 seconds inside!!! 7 seconds faster than anyone else. Wow. Meanwhile, Bella’s in her hunting seat as she flies over the ditch brush at 9.

5:13am

Emily and Barry are through the finish flags – 14.8 time for them. Most of those seconds will have been spent in the air – Barry airlines didn’t disappoint the crowds today with his high flying style. A great round and Barry looked to really enjoy himself out there.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇮🇪 Patrick Whelan and Ikoon Lan
📈 Form:
XC – They’ve run at 4*-L once before, Blenheim last season, where they had a 15 penalties for a missed flag and 18 XC time. In 10 FEI competitions, they’ve had actual XC jumping penalties just once, but there is an 11 for activating a frangible device on their card. They won’t be the fastest round of the day, and everything points to this being an educational experience for the young gelding.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here this week.

Fiona’s coming to the end of her round now – she’s at the final water at 25 & 26ab. Super through there. Meanwhile, David’s at the Messmer water and looking to be right on form – they’re beautiful over the bounce, very clean through there. There’s a flag question for Patrick at 5a, we’ll have to wait for that to be updated. Fiona makes the huge double of oxers at the second last look small and then flies on over the last – 20 jumping and 18 time for them.

5:08am

We’re into the final ten combinations for the 5* now with the latest starter out on course:

🇬🇧 David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed
📈 Form:
XC – This gelding sure has it all when it comes to accuracy and speed. In 29 FEI competitions there is one 11 penalties on his entire record. Seriously, this combination is one to watch 👀 Since the beginning of the 2022 season, they’ve added XC time penalties just twice – 1.2 at Badminton a couple years ago and 0.8 in a 4*-S – they added not a scrap of anything across the entire 2023 season. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em!
Luhmühlen – Galileo’s making his Luhmühlen debut this week, but David’s got a trio of good placings under his belt – 13th (23) 10th & 12th (21).
5⭐ – This horse is a finish on his dressage specialist, managing this elite feat at Kentucky in 2023, where he was 8th, and at Burghley the same year, where he was runner-up. He’s also been 6th at Badminton (22), where he added just 1.2 time faults, and 4th at Pau (22). He’s here after withdrawing from Badminton after the dressage, where they were one of the favorites for the win. Will they make amends here? Eyes on this one 👀

Barry’s coming towards home now – he’s in the Main Arena. Emily turns really tight to the b and c elements of 21 in there – great riding, and a great horse. Meanwhile, Fiona’s coming to the Messmer water and David and Galileo flow beautifully through the combination at 6ab. Oh no! Fiona’s had a 20 at 18b – the skinny triple brush coming out of the water. They put it behind them and continue on.

5:02am

Barry the gazelle (as Lucinda Green in the commentary box is now calling him) is superb through the rail – ditch – arrowhead combination at 10. They’re coming up to the first water now. She gathers him up for the big hanging log, he hangs his back legs and Emily makes no hesitation in circling before 14abc for the long route. There’s a loose dog but Barry’s not noticed. Hopefully it’ll be caught quickly. We love doggos, but not loose on the cross country course, please.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Fiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver de Haar
📈 Form:
XC – They jumped clear in the 4*-S at Kronenberg this season and in the 4*-L at Ballindenisk last fall. This won’t be the quickest round we see today, with time penalties usually creeping into double figures.
5⭐ – This combination are making their 5* debut here this week.

Fiona’s had a great start and is clear through to the bird’s nest at 8. Oh my! Barry airlines (another monika, thanks to Spencer in the commentary box this time) jumps a shadow at the Messmer water! He makes the double bounce a treble. But just keeps going. What a horse, and what a rider!

4:48am

Rubis De Prere still looks full of run as he comes to the end of his round – what a testament to the team at home for a veteran horse to look so great, still at the top level aged 19. They fly the second last and Pietro looks delighted as he clears the last and gallops through the finish – 11.2 time penalties for them.

Eyes on US fans, we have a high flying new starter out on course:

🇺🇲 Emily Hamel and Corvett
📈 Form:
XC – They had an uncharacteristic 20 at Maryland last season, you have to go back to Badminton 2022 to find another one. In fact, in 28 FEI runs, Corvett’s got XC jumping penalties on his record just five times. He’s been inside the time at both Maryland and Kentucky and generally keeps any time penalties to single figures. He’s a super careful jumper on the final day too, so this pair could be one to watch 👀
Luhmühlen – This combination are making their Luhmühlen debut here this week.
5⭐ – This pair made their 5* debut at Kentucky in 2021 and finished just outside the top-20. They were 14th at Maryland the same season, and 10th at Kentucky last year, where they added just 0.8 SJ time to their dressage score, before finishing 11th at Maryland in the fall. They’ve also completed at Badminton and Burghley.

Barry is living up to his reputation as he jumps up and over the first few fences. He’s clear through the first combination at 5abc and looks to be enjoying his first trip to Luhmuhlen.

4:54am

Rubis De Prere’s showing none of his age as he gallops round the track. They’re at the first water now. Laura picked up 20 penalties at 15c, we didn’t see it but it’s showing on the live scoreboard. They’ve continued on and look to have put it well behind them. If you’re wondering where Will Rawlin and The Partner are, they withdrew before cross country, so we’ve got a little gap before Emily Hamel will start. Pietro’s now in the Main Arena and Rubis very happily plots his way through – they’re really showing their longstanding partnership as they make their way towards home. Meanwhile, Laura and Bob Cotton Bandit are through the finish flags – 20 jumping and 37.2 time for them.

4:50am

Ros is easy through the final water – she sees a big stride in and Isaac looks so confident – great to see him showing off his extraordinary talent. Wow! What a save from Laura. I missed where it was, sorry, but Bob bounces off a fence but Laura sits tight. Ros and Isaac are through the finish – they’re almost on time, but not quite – just 2 penalties to add for them – what a class round this has been, from start to finish.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇮🇹 Pietro Sandei and Rubis De Prere
📈 Form:
XC – This 19-year-old gelding comes here in hot form, having won at his last FEI run of 2023 and his first of 2024, jumping clear inside the time at both 4*-S events. He has clear round form at long-format too. He had a 20 at Pau in 2022, his last run at 5* but he jumped clear ‘round Badminton on his debut at the level.
Luhmühlen – Rubris De Prere contested the 4* here in 2018. Pietro made his top-level debut here in 2016 and finished 14th.
5⭐ – The gelding made his 5* debut at Badminton in 2019 and completed in 42nd place, then went to Pau in 2022 and came 32nd.

Meanwhile, Laura’s at the Messmer water and is safely through there.

4:47am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Laura Birley and Bob Cotton Bandit
📈 Form:
XC – They jumped clear ‘round the 4*-L at Boekelo last season, but do have 20 on their record at the level; they were clear at Bramham though, a notoriously tough track. Time penalties do generally add up to the mid-teens to low-20s.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here this week.

Ros and Isaac are travelling in a beautiful balance as they fly through the combination at 15abc – the narrow brush, up the step and then over another narrow brush. They continue on and navigate the Messmer water safely and quickly. They make the bounce look simple, but it’s not! The gloriously named Bob Cotton Bandit is super through the combination at 10. And there’s a massive cheer as Ros powers into the Main Arena to give us a riding lesson through the combination at 21abc. They gallop on toward home.

4:43am

And now our clubhouse leaders have joined us out on course:

🇬🇧 Ros Canter and Izilot DHI
📈 Form:
XC – He proved he can jump clear at the level on his debut at Pau last year, although he showed some greeness at Badminton this spring and Ros put her hand up to save him for another day – today, in fact. On his day, this gelding is quick and careful – he added just 3.2 time penalties at Pau. Eyes on this one 👀
Luhmühlen – World No. 2 Ros was on the podium here in 2018 and top-10 in 2017. ‘Isaac’ is making his Luhmühlen debut.

5⭐ – Isaac came out at his first 5* last season at Pau and smashed it out of the park for the win. Ros has also won Badminton and been runner-up (with her other Luhmühlen ride Lordships Graffalo, 22 &23). In total, she has eight top-5 finishes at 5* on her record.

Mollie and Flow splash through the Main Arena and oh no! Flow’s spotted the water tray at 21b and ducks out to the side – that’s 20 for them. She comes back round and they carry on. Melissa and Patch Ali are through the finish flags – 46 time penalties for them. Meanwhile, Ros and Isaac take three strides through the combination at 5abc – gorgeous. Oh no! Sara’s had a moment at 14a – they go to take off, but don’t, and Sara slides off the back. They’re walking home. Ros gives us a riding lesson through the complex at 10 and as she heads onto the circular loop towards the first water, Mollie’s through the finish – 26 time and 20 jumping penalties for them.

4:38am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇩🇰 Sara Bech Ström and Dicte Aldrup
📈 Form:
XC – Aside from a couple of retirements (without jumping penalties) and a rider fall, Dicte Aldrup’s XC record is remarkably clean – in 27 FEI finishes, there are just three 20s on her card. Based on recent form, she won’t be the quickest today, but nor will she be the slowest – she added 26.4 time penalties in the 4*-L at Boekelo last season.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here this week.

Ah, it’s not a great start for them – they have a run out at 6b. Sara does well to stay in the plate there, sticky bum time. They continue on. Meanwhile, Mollie’s clear to 20, it’s the Main Arena next for them. We’re seeing the overnight leader getting ready at the start box.

4:35am

Libussa’s galloping towards home now – Caramia doesn’t even notice the last water – they’re flying.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Mollie Summerland and Flow
📈 Form:
XC – This gelding jumped clear inside the time in the 4*-L at Ballindenisk this season on his way to 3rd place. He was also clear in his season opener at Burnham Market in the 4*-S where he very nearly made the time – just one second over. He’s got a couple of XC jumping penalties on his record, but they look to be green blips as there are many, many more clears. He’s swift too – in 20 FEI runs he’s had time penalties in just 7, and two of those are 0.4. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em!
Luhmühlen – Mollie won here in 2021.
5⭐ – Flow’s making his 5* debut here this week. Mollie has a 5* win under her cinch (here in 21) and was top-10 at Pau on her debut at the level.

Mollie hunts her way through the combination at 7abc – she’s really riding strongly and giving this young horse a lot of confidence. Libussa’s through the finish – 11 penalties for the frangible device and 22.8 time for them. Meanwhile, Melissa is clear through 19 and is making her way to the Main Arena. The sun’s coming out now. Flow, well flows, through the first water at 13 & 14abc. Patch Ali and Melissa are super through the combination in the arena at 21abc – this is a huge horse with a really quite small rider, but it’s working for them.

4:31am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Melissa Joannides and Patch Ali
📈 Form:
XC – This gelding’s been clear at both 4*-L and 4*-S fairly recently, and have many more XC clear jumping rounds on their record than penalties. They’re reasonably steady in general, with time penalties usually in double figures, sometimes in the 20s.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here at Luhmühlen.

Alex has finished with 11.6 time penalties – what a great partnership they’ve showed round here. Libussa’s air jacket seems to have gone off, but she’s carrying on. Their 20 at 14a has gone off the live scoreboard, so they must’ve decided that she took the long route there, rather than having presented.

4:27am

The crowd’s sure to get behind the next combination – the first for the home side are out on course:

🇩🇪 Libussa Lübbecke and Caramia
📈 Form:
XC – In their last 24 runs, but for a flag penalty, there’s nary a jumping penalty on their record. They added 20.4 time faults in the 4*-L at Blenheim last season, but at short format they’re pretty swift.
Luhmühlen – They were 12th in the 4*-S at Luhmühlen last year, when they jumped clear cross country and added 5.6 time penalties.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here this week.

They’ve got off to a great start and are clear through to the bird’s nest at 8. Muzi’s just crossed the line – 40 jumping and 17.6 time penalties for her, wow, she must’ve been going quick. Libussa’s had the frangible pin at 10a – the rail before the ditch at b. Alex and Ardeo Premier are clear to the log at 23 – he’s had to put in some classic cross country riding but it’s worked and they’re on their way home. Libussa takes the longer route between 13 and 14a – but it’s judged as a 20 as she presented. Oh man! Ardeo Premier has a bit of a toilet matter going on – but he keeps going.

4:21am

Muzi is at the big ditch brush at 9 and is clear to there. Alice is making her way through the combination in the Main Arena at 21abc. Caroline and D. Day have crossed the finish line with 20.4 time penalties. Ah, Muzi and Good Timing have had a refusal at 15a – 20 penalties for them at the LeMieux water. Meanwhile, Alice is clear the final water at 25 & 26ab – that comes up perfectly for them.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Alex Bragg and Ardeo Premier
📈 Form:
XC – In 16 FEI runs he’s has XC jumping penalties on just three occasions, once being on his 5* debut at Pau last year. Time penalties are generally in single figures. Will Alex follow up his Badminton success with another podium grab here? Eyes on 👀
Luhmühlen – Alex was 3rd here in 2019. Ardeo Premier is making his Luhmühlen debut.
5⭐ – Alex recently took 3rd place at Badminton with his other Luhmühlen ride Quindiva. Before that result, Alex’s best 5* finish was here in 2019, when he was 3rd. He’s got two 4th place and two 5th place finishes at Pau on his card too. Ardeo Premier made his 5* debut at Pau last year, completing in 29th place.

They get off to a flying start over the first few fences. They’re absolutely brilliant through the rail – ditch – arrowhead combination at 10 – super riding from Alex. Alice is through the finish – clear inside the time!!! Unfortunately Muzi’s had another 20 – at 21c – the brush shoulder with the water tray in the Main Arena. She carries on.

4:17am

Alice is clear through the rail – ditch – arrowhead combination at 10 (I think I’ve been calling it rail – ditch – rail up to now, sorry). Meanwhile, Caroline is coming to the end of her round now – she’s at the final water. Alice is at the Messmer water and goes dead straight through there – class riding from Alice on show.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇳🇿 Muzi Pottinger and Good Timing
📈 Form:
XC – Good Timing has been withdrawn before the cross country at both his FEI runs this season. Prior to that, he jumped clear ‘round the 4*-L at Millstreet to finish 3rd. This Thoroughbred is super duper speedy. He was just 2 seconds over the time at Millstreet as has been inside the time in both long and short formats. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em!
Luhmühlen – Muzi was 19th here last year.
5⭐ – This gelding went to Pau last season and is looking for his first 5* completion here this week after a rider fall ended his debut at the level early. Muzi’s also been to Badminton and was 4th at Adelaide in 2019.

4:12am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Alice Casburn and Topspin
📈 Form:
XC – There are a couple of green 20s on their record, but they’ve got XC clear form at 5* on their card too – at Badminton, Burghley and Pau. Alice put her hand up after a mishap at Badminton earlier in the spring – ‘Spinach’ was uncharacteristically sticky around the earlier part of the course and Alice sensibly decided to save him for another day – today. If they’ve got things back together, eyes on for a leaderboard climb today 🪜
Luhmühlen – This pair are making their Luhmühlen debut here this week.
5⭐ – This pair have got three top-20 placings at 5* on their card (Badminton 23 & 22, Pau 21) as well as 5th and 7th place finishes at Burghley (22 & 23).

Caroline and D. Day scramble over the hanging log at 13 and decides to circle for the long route to 14a. No penalties there though. Alice and Topspin are beautiful through the combination at 7abc. And… it looks like the rain is stopping. D. Day is having a good look as he makes his way ’round the course, but he’s listening to Caroline and jumping out of his skin. Ian and Master Point have flown through the finish with 10 time penalties.

4:08am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Caroline Harris and D. Day
📈 Form:
XC – They had a 20 in the 4*-L at Boekelo last season, but that’s the only XC jumping penalty on their record, bar a missed flag. Despite that, they were still inside the time, proving that this pair are a speedy prospect across the country.
5⭐ – This combination are making their 5* debut here this week.

Ian and Master Point are clear of the combination at 10 – they gave the MIM clip a good rattle there and the fence judges have a look, but it stays up. He heads for the straight route between 13 and 14a – over the hanging log and then to the hedge in the water – but he makes a very quick decision at the last second to go long. That’ll be one for the fence judges to decide. Caroline and D. Day are clear through the bird’s nest at 8. Meanwhile, Katherine Coleman’s finished with 43.2 time faults and 20 jumping. Ian’s been judged clear at 14a according to the live scoreboard.

4:05am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇮🇪 Ian Cassells and Master Point
📈 Form:
XC – He picked up 30 penalties at Pau (two missed flags), other than that, there are no XC jumping penalties on his record, bar an 11 back in 2021. He added 32.8 time penalties at Pau, but generally we’re looking at single figures.
5⭐ – This pair made their 5* debut last year at Pau and came 30th.

Meanwhile, Katherine’s in the – very, very wet – Main Arena. Seriously, it looks like a water complex. But the surface is excellent and the horses don’t even look to notice the extra water feature. Katherine’s fantastic through there and motoring towards home. She said she wasn’t going to waste any time, and she’s not. She’s riding out of her skin! She’s up at the final water now at 25 & 26ab – Monbeg Senna puts in a little stride to squirrel his way through and Katherine grins into the camera 🙂 She’s flying home now.

4am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Storm Straker and Fever Pitch
📈 Form:
XC – They jumped clear inside the time to win the 4*-L at Ballindenisk this season and are on a streak of five XC clear jumping rounds. They were inside the time in the 4*-L at Boekelo last year and come into this week in great form.
5⭐ – This combination are making their 5* debut here this week.

Katherine’s clear at the rail – ditch – rail at 10 but – oh dear! We’re seeing Storm on the ground. That happened at the first combination on course – 5abc. That is such a shame for them. Horse and rider are up and walking home. Their day will come another time. Katherine’s now coming to the first water and really makes it happen at the brush arrowhead on the way out. They gallop on.

3:56am

Oh no, Lauren’s has had a glance off at 15c – the narrow brush after the step. And another one at 18b – the triple brush skinny after the bounce. And another by-pass in the Main Arena at 21b. She puts her hand up (although it’s her third refusal) and walks home. She looks very disappointed.

The first for the US is underway:

🇺🇲 Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna
📈 Form:
XC – They added 62.8 time penalties at Badminton last year, but Katherine has since said that they could have gone faster as ‘Sid’ had a whole lot more run left in him that she’d expected him to have at the end. They were 4th in the 4*-S at Kronenberg this season, where they jumped clear and added 22 time penalties. In 18 FEI competitions, they’ve had XC jumping penalties just twice.
Luhmühlen – Katherine was 29th here last year and Sid’s making his Luhmühlen debut.
5⭐ – This pair hunted their way ‘round Badminton in the mud last year for a very impressive clear jumping completion on the gelding’s debut at the level.

Katherine has the course to herself, she’s at the bird’s nest at 8, but there’s a 20 on her card already – from the brush corner at 5c.

3:52am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Lauren Lillywhite and Hacien
📈 Form:
XC – As well as a 20 at Burghley last season, this gelding had a run out in the 4*-S at Kronenberg this spring. He jumped clear ‘round the 4*-L at Bramham last year. Time penalties are usually in the 20s.
Luhmühlen – Hacien’s here for his first trip ‘round Luhmühlen, but Lauren completed here in 2012 when she finished just outside the top-20.
5⭐ – This guy made his 5* debut at Burghley last year and had a 20 out on cross country and then was eliminated due to a rider fall, so he’s looking for his first top-level completion here this week. Lauren made her 5* debut at Burghley in 2010, and has also completed at Pau and here at Luhmühlen.

Julie is three from home now and looking to have had a great round. They fly the last few and finish up with 26 time penalties. Aistis has unfortunately been eliminated at the table at 12 according to the live leaderboard. Commander VG just didn’t look to be taking him forward today. So that leaves us with just Lauren and Hacien on course – they’re clear through the complex at 10abc and are coming up to the first water at 14ab. Lauren takes a left-handed line but it works and they hunt through there. They take the long route, circling before 15a, but that’s fine as it’s separately numbered.

3:47am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇱🇹 Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG
📈 Form:
XC – This guy is an out-and-out eventer. Not so keen on dressage, but absolutely relishes the cross country and looks like a lot of fun as he romps ‘round these top-level tracks. He’s relatively speedy, but does have the odd mistake on his card. He had a tricky 5* season last year, so let’s hope for some Luhmühlen luck today.
Luhmühlen – This is Commander VG’s fourth run in the 5* here at Luhmühlen – he’s finished 11th (22), 13th (21) and 14th (20).
5⭐ – The gelding has six 5* completions with Aistis on his record, with his best placing just outside the top-10, which he achieved here.

This pair have a moment at 5c when they have a conversation with the flag, but it shows up as clear on the live leaderboard. They have another one at 7abc. Aistis would have preferred to have a smoother start to his course. Commander VG doesn’t look to be taking him forward. He rattles the frangible device at 10abc – Aistis looks back over his shoulder, but incredibly it seems to have stayed. Laura and Hester are through the finish – 20.8 time and 20 jumping for them. Meanwhile, Julie’s clear through 24 and is coming to the Longines Water at 25 & 26ab.

3:43am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇫🇷 Julie Simonet and Sursumcord’Or
📈 Form:
XC – Apart from a rider fall in 2022, you have to go right back to 2019 to find a XC jumping penalty on this guy’s record – that’s a clear streak of 13 runs. He finished on his dressage in the 4*-L a Kronenberg last season to take the runner-up spot, and when he does add time penalties across the country, he keeps them to single figures.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here this week.

They’re clear through the bird’s nest at 8. Meanwhile, Samantha’s through the finish with 8.8 time penalties. Laura and Hester are clear through the Messmer water. The rain really is making things tough for these riders. Laura continues on towards the Main Arena where’s there’s a gasp from the crowd – we hear that before we see it on the pictures – foreshadowing, you may say. We’ll see what happened there in a minute!

3:39am

The rain is absolutely torrential now.

The third place combination after the dressage is now out on course:

🇬🇧 Laura Collett and Hester
📈 Form:
XC – Hester was first produced by Jonelle Price before fellow Luhmühlen competitor Alex Bragg took the reins in 2019. Laura’s been in the irons since the 2021 season; since then, she’s added no XC jumping penalties to her record – except for on her 5* debut at Badminton recently. She’s proven to have a swift turn of foot too, with time penalties staying in single figures on the whole.
Luhmühlen – This is Hester’s first time here, but not Laura’s – she took the title in 2023 and was runner-up in 2018.
5⭐ – There may not be a ton of 5*s on Laura’s card, but she’s won 3 of them – Badminton (22), Pau (20) and Luhmühlen (23). Hester made her 5* debut at Badminton this season where Laura retired on cross country when the mare went a little green.

Laura holds Hester’s shoulder in at the rail – ditch – rail complex at 10 and they’re clear through there, then Hester seems to have a moment over the next, but Laura gives her confidence and they gallop on together. Oh no! Cedric and Unum D’Or have parted company at 27. Gravity took over there. So close to the end, that’s really disappointing for them, such a shame. Meanwhile, Samantha’s at 22, and Laura’s having trouble at 14 – Hester leaves a leg and Laura has to circle – 20 penalties for them.

3:34am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇳🇿 Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekonig
📈 Form:
XC – This combination had a missed flag penalty in the 4*-L at Blenheim last fall but jumped clear at the level earlier in the season to finish 7th at Millstreet. They won’t be amongst the quickest competitors here today, but they won’t be the slowest either.
Luhmühlen – Samantha was 7th here in 2021 and has also competed at Burghley, Pau and Adelaide.
5⭐ – This gelding’s making his 5* debut here this week.

As they start, Yas and Rehy DJ are clear inside the time!! The second of the day. Meanwhile, Cedric’s clear through the Main Arena and on their way home. Samantha is clear through the rail – ditch – rail complex at 10.

3:32am

Ooo, Arthur and Toronto have a moment at the boat in the water at 26a but they’re clear – clever horse, clever rider. They’re coming up to the final fence now and stop the clock with 8.8 time penalties.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇫🇷 Cedric Lyard and Unum De’Or
📈 Form:
XC – There are a couple of 20s on this horse’s card, but they appear to be blips rather than the norm. He’s relatively speedy across the country, generally keeping time penalties to single figures, sometimes into the low-teens.
Luhmühlen – Unum De-Or came here last season and finished 22nd, jumping clear across the country and adding 7.2 time penalties. He rolled two poles in the final phase and accrued 6 time faults, finishing up on a score of 56.2.
5⭐ – The gelding made his 5* debut at Pau in 2021 and came 9th, jumping clear across the country and adding just 2.4 time penalties. He was retired after a 20 out on course at Badminton the following year, but completed in the top-20 at Burghley. He was 22nd here at Luhmühlen last season and went to Pau, but Cedric called it a day after picking up at 20.

Yas and Rehy fly through the Main Arena to a massive applause – literally flying. They’re galloping towards the stables now, which they’ll pass on their way to the finale fence. They’re up at the final water now and that’s no problem at all for them. Rehy DJ is looking very fit as he comes to the end of his round.

3:27am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ
📈 Form:
XC – An uncharacteristic 20 in the 4*-L at Boekelo last season broke their streak of 13 clear cross country jumping rounds. They were speedy here last year and generally keep time penalties to single figures, when there are any. Rehy DJ is one of the nominated Team GB entries for Paris. This combination could be one to watch 👀
Luhmühlen – 3rd here last year where they very nearly finished on their dressage score, adding just 0.4 in the final phase.
5⭐ – This gelding made his top-level debut at Pau in 2020 but didn’t complete. He came back in fine form for a podium place here last year. Kentucky’s been a happy hunting ground for current World Champion Yas thus far in her 5* career, with podium places there this year and in 2022.

Kirsty and Rocket are through the Main Arena – Kirsty makes it happen through there. Toronto and Arthur are at the first water as Yas and Rehy DJ look to mean business as they get their round underway. They make a beautiful line through the combination at 7abc. Meanwhile, Kirsty and Rocket are through the finish flags with 4.8 time penalties. Arthur and Toronto are clear through the Main Arena and make the combination at 21abc there look easy. These riders really are showing their class – this track is really tricky but they’re making it look deceptively simple so far.

3:22am

Lara’s clear through the final water at 25 and 26ab and on her way home now.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇫🇷 Arthur Duffort and Toronto d’Aurois
📈 Form:
XC – This combination jumped clear around the cross country at Badminton last year and finished in 27th. There’s plenty of clear round form on his record, although he did have a 20 at Burghley last season. He probably won’t be the quickest we’ll see today but he won’t be the slowest either.
Luhmühlen – This pair are making their Luhmühlen debut this week, rerouting from Badminton where they withdrew after the dressage.
5⭐ – Toronto has five 5* completions on his record – Badminton and Burghley twice and Pau.

They have an unorthodox kind of jump through the corners at 5abc but it works for them and they’re on their way. Lara crosses the line with just 4 time penalties and looks thrilled with what’s been a very classy round. Kirsty and Rocket are at 21abc and clear as they come to the last part of the course.

3:16am

Tim takes on the bounce at 17b & 18a, making a bit of a turn in between so it comes up perfectly for Viktor. Jennifer and Polly Blue Eyes are through the finish flags – clear inside the time!!! 6 seconds inside to be specific. We didn’t see a lot of their round, which is a real shame. Lara’s at the LeMieux water at 13 & 14abc – the mare takes a little look and they lose their line slightly, but Lara steers her back on track and they’re clear through there.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇬🇧 Kirsty Chabert and Opposition Heraldik Girl
📈 Form:
XC – Apart from a fall at Pau last year, this mare’s XC jumping record is impressively clean. She was clear inside the time at her prep run at 4*-S and has been just a handful of seconds over the time at the long-format.
Luhmühlen – Kirsty was runner-up at Luhmühlen in 2022.

5⭐ – This is Rocket’s third 5* start – she had a fall at Pau on her debut last season and was withdrawn at Badminton before the XC, so she’s looking for her first completion. Kirsty’s been 6th at Pau (2023) and has also completed Kentucky twice.

Meanwhile, Tim and Viktor are clear to the final water at 25. Kirsty’s at the combination at 7 with Rocket. There was a flag question for them at 5c but it’s been resolved and they’re clear so far. It’s still raining heavily, lots of umbrellas out there. Tim and Viscount Viktor are coming to the end of their round now – they’re over the double of oxers at 29 and now over the last with 27.6 time penalties. Lara gets a big clap as she whizzes through the Main Arena combination at 21abc.

3:12am

So far so clear at Luhmuhlen, just Christoffer’s flag penalties on the scoreboard after our first few riders. Viscount Viktor has a bit of a look into the ditch at 10, but Tim squeezes him on and they’re clear through there. They’re coming up to the first water at 13 &14abc. He takes the longer route there on this young horse. Meanwhile, Christoffer’s through the finish flags with 28.4 time penalties.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇧🇪 Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville
📈 Form:
XC – Hooney d’Arville’s on a streak of 10 XC clear rounds. She was clear inside the time in the 4*-L at Boekelo last season. Time penalties can creep into double figures, but she was quick in her last run, adding just 4 to her clear jumping.
Luhmühlen – This mare was 10th in the 4*-S here last year, jumping clear across the country with 9.6 time penalties. Lara’s had three previous finishes here – 16th (17) 10th (14) and 19th (13).

5⭐ – Hooney’s making her 5* debut here this week.

We have a new starter out on course:
🇧🇪 Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville
📈 Form:
XC – Hooney d’Arville’s on a streak of 10 XC clear rounds. She was clear inside the time in the 4*-L at Boekelo last season. Time penalties can creep into double figures, but she was quick in her last run, adding just 4 to her clear jumping.
Luhmühlen – This mare was 10th in the 4*-S here last year, jumping clear across the country with 9.6 time penalties. Lara’s had three previous finishes here – 16th (17) 10th (14) and 19th (13).

5⭐ – Hooney’s making her 5* debut here this week.

3:08am

We have a new starter out on course:

🇳🇿 Tim Price and Viscount Viktor
📈 Form:
XC – The gelding had a couple of green mistakes at Pau last year and picked up 60 XC jumping penalties. He’s been clear at 4* though, at both long and short format. He’s not been the speediest thus far in his career but the potential’s there – he added just 2.8 time penalties at a 4*-L in Ireland last season to come in 4th place. It seems Tim’s picking when to go for it and when to have a steady, educational round with this 10-year-old.
Luhmühlen – Tim’s Luhmühlen form: 9th & 10th (22) 1st (19) 4th (16) 15th (15) 1st (14).
5⭐ – Tim’s one of only two riders in the world to have completed all seven 5*s (the other’s Boyd Martin) – in fact, he’s completed all eight if we include the pop-up 5* at Bicton, UK in 2021. He’s won four and been on the podium in two of the three he hasn’t (already) won, and top-10 at the other. Viscount Viktor completed at Pau last season on his debut at the level.

The penalties have come up for Christoffer at 5c now on the live scoreboard – 15 for a missed flag. He’s into the Main Arena and goes the long route at 21abc. Meanwhile, Jennifer and Polly Blue Eyes are clear through 13, the first water. They make the tricky turn and are straight through the hedge combination at 14abc. Tim and Viktor are at the second combination at 6 and oh! Christoffer makes a fantastic save at the final water at 25! Wow! That’s cross country riding for you.

3:04am

Christoffer’s coming to the LeMieux water at 13 & 14abc – they’re brilliant through there. Further round the course, Susie’s at the last water at 25 – she turns over the air and is smoothly through.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇮🇪 Jennifer Kuehnle and Polly Blue Eyes
📈 Form:
XC – This combination jumped clear ‘round the 4*-S here last year, adding 10.6 XC time penalties. They were 8th in the 4*-L in Kronenberg this season, with a clear XC round and 22.4 time. They had a 20 at Millstreet last season, but before that you have to go all the way back to 2017 to find another XC jumping penalty on this mare’s record. In 30 FEI runs, they’re the only two penalties on their card.
Luhmühlen – They came to Luhmühlen for the 4*-S last year and came 17th.
5⭐ – This pair are making their 5* debut here this week.

They’re clear through 7abc – the big table to two frangible open corners. Meanwhile, Susie’s coming towards home. She’s at the third last and flying over the cottage down the drop. The double of oxers at 29ab are no bother to them and they’re over the last. They stop the clock with 14.4 time penalties.

3am

Susie Berry’s not hanging around! She’s coming up to the LeMieux water at 13 & 14abc. Monbeg By Design’s looking very brave and Susie decides to go long – circling between the hanging log and the first hedge, which is totally fine as they’re separately numbered.

We have a new starter out on course:

🇸🇪 Christoffer Forsberg and Hippo’s Sapporo
📈 Form:
XC – This guy was on a streak of eleven clear XC jumping rounds until a frangible device delivered him an 11 penalties at Kronenberg this season. In 47 FEI competitions, there are XC jumping penalties on his card just nine times. He can be speedy on his day too, with time penalties in single figures more often than not. He won the 4*-L in Strzegom last season, where he finished on his dressage.
Luhmühlen – The gelding has contested the 1, 2, 3 and 4*-S competitions here, so he’s got the full flush now. Christoffer competed in the 5* in 2017.
5⭐ – At sixteen, Hippo’s Sapporo is one of the older 5* debutants. Christoffer was top-20 at Burghley back in 2010.

We’re just waiting to see Susie come to the Messmer Water at 17ab & 18ab. She swings out to get straight and takes on the bounce. Meanwhile, Christoffer’s clear over the bird’s nest at 8, but there’s a question mark on his card at 5c – the brush corner; that’ll be a flag question.

2:56am

Hoping for the luck of the Irish, our second combination is underway:

🇮🇪 Susie Berry and Monbeg By Design
📈 Form:
XC – He jumped clear here last year and added just 1.6 time penalties on his debut at the level. And it wasn’t a fluke! He’s got zero jumping penalties on his record – not a one – and any time penalties are in single figures.
Luhmühlen – This gelding made his 5* debut here last year and came 11th.
5⭐ – Susie made her debut at the level in 2022 at Badminton, where she finished 17th. She was just outside the top-20 at Kentucky this season.

Tom’s now through the third water at 25 & 26ab – he sees a super stride through there and is really showing what a smooth customer he is. Meanwhile, Susie’s clear through the combination at 7abc – there’s a bit of a conversation going on, Monbeg By Design’s looking keen. Tom’s all the way ’round to the second last – he’s chasing the optimum time. This round has been masterful. He’s through the finish, 13 seconds over with 5.2 time penalties. A great, confidence boosting pathfinder for the rest of the competition to come.

2:54am

They’re on their way to the Messmer water at 17 and 18 and are up on their minute markers. They take on the bounce and Eliza’s really smart with her footwork through there, putting in a trot stride to get spot on to bounce over the house at 17b and then the second house at 18a. Riders can circle between the fences there rather than bouncing them, but Tom goes straight. They’re beautiful through the Main Arena at 21abc and there’s a cheer from the crowd who’ve showed up early to watch all the action today.

2:50am

He’s hugging the rails as he gallops around the track and through the trees. They’re clear through the rail – ditch – rail complex at 10. It’s really raining hard but the ground is great at Luhmuhlen and being British, Tom’ll be used to riding in the rain. They drop down into the water at 13 over the hanging log and are superb at the hedge combination at 14. This combination are looking class and making this tough track seem easy.

2:45am

And we’re off! Our trailblazers are sitting in fourth as they head out onto the cross country – they’re out of the box and on their way. Have a good ride!

First out on course we have:
🇬🇧 Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser
📈 Form:
XC – In 22 FEI competitions there’s just one XC penalty on her record – an 11 for activating a frangible device at Burghley in 2022. She’s been inside the time at the level (Pau 21) and added 16.8 time penalties at Badminton and 9.6 at Burghley on her other two 5* runs, both in 2022.
Luhmühlen – CHF Cooliser is making her Luhmühlen debut. Tom’s been here three times, and was runner-up in 2019.

5⭐ – This mare finished on her dressage at Pau in 2021, where she was runner-up. She’s also completed at Badminton and finished just outside the top-10 at Burghley. Tom’s got one 5* win under his belt (Pau, 19) and has been runner-up four times (Kentucky 23 &24; Pau 21; Luhmühlen 19). He’s also been 3rd at Pau (23) and 4th at Badminton (23) and Burghley (17).

They’re over the flower box at 1 and sees a superb stride to the table at 2. The MIM clipped oxer at 3 is no worry – they soar over that – and then fly the enormous picnic table at 4. They’re coming up to the first combination now – 5abc. No chance of any problems there for them, they’re right on their line. The quarry at 6ab doesn’t hold them up and they continue on to the combination at 7abc – over the maximum spread table and then two big open corners. So far so good for our trailblazers.

EN’s coverage of the Longines Luhmühlen 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!

Longines Luhmühlen: Website | Entries | Timetable | Live Scores | Tickets | Livestream | EN’s Coverage

“You Can Barely Fit Through the Skinnies Yourself!” – Riders React to the 5* Cross Country at Luhmühlen

How wide is a horse, exactly? I mean, to the nearest millimeter. Not a silly question.

The competition is well underway at Luhmühlen, with the dressage done and dusted and the cross country looming large. Tom McEwen’s not a big lad, but says he struggled to fit through the skinnies himself, which leaves us wondering whether he actually attempted to clamber over them as he jogged ‘round the course. I’m pretty certain a horse will fit through, but they are skinny, that’s for sure. (Full disclosure: I haven’t actually measured them/tried to fit through myself, but course designer Mike Etherington-Smith has been in this game for a fair while, so we’ll assume that they are, in fact, not so skinny as to need to be sat on a My Little Pony in order to squeeze between the flags. I guess time will tell…)

As well as particularly skinny skinnies, the bounce in the water “is quite something” – 17b and 18a. Notice they’re separately numbered though, so, if needs be, riders can pull a Monopoly move and use their Get Out of Jail Free card, thus allowing them to circle between the fences rather than bounce on over. All in all though, the riders seem to be quietly confident as they contemplate the task ahead. It’s “impressive” but “not impossible” and apparently “not as terrifying as Burghley”, but given Burghley is totally terrifying, I’m not sure that means it’s not a pretty darn scary prospect all the same. It’s left Emily Hamel worried she maybe should be a bit more worried. Eventers, eh?!

Click here to take a look at the whole track through Tilly’s camera lens.

I’ll be bringing you live updates from the 5* cross country as it happens, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, you’ll find all of our Luhmühlen coverage right here.

Whilst we wait for the action to kick off, we’ve wrangled the riders up and gathered their thoughts on today’s track. Here’s the low-down, straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.

EN’s coverage of the Longines Luhmühlen 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!

Longines Luhmühlen: Website | Entries | Timetable | Live Scores | Tickets | Livestream | EN’s Coverage

🇬🇧 Ros Canter and Izilot DHI – 1st – 24.9

Ros Canter and Izilot DHI. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Reigning European Champion and former World Champion, Ros is no stranger to a 5* podium or two, including a third place finish at Luhmühlen in 2018. She’s also pretty used to leaving the start box as the leader after dressage, as is the case today. ‘Isaac’ has already had a taste of the big time, winning Pau on his debut at the level, and Ros is in it to win it this weekend, with no intention of relinquishing her position as leader of the pack: “I’m certainly going go out with the intention of being fast and clear, to be honest. I haven’t come here to be middle of the pack”.

We’ve seen Isaac can be extremely spooky on the cross country. Massive fences: no worries. Barrels painted as pigs? You know, just for a bit of fun decoration out on course. Woah Mama, take me home. We saw it at Badminton, when he was looking everywhere but where he was going at the Lake, resulting in Ros putting up her hand. How does she think he’ll cope with the decor at Luhmühlen?

“It’s quite nice here at the start in that it’s not overly dressed and there’s no [having to go] ‘round things. Often he finds that a little bit worrying, and there isn’t any of that really – at the start anyway. So I’m going to go out and give it a good shot. He had a run at Little Downham and he was good and fine there. I don’t feel he’s lost any confidence from jumping at Badminton, so we’ll go and give it a good shot.”

🇬🇧 Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality – 2nd – 28.3 / CHF Cooliser – 4th – 30.8

Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s trailblazer (with CHF Cooliser), Tom’s been runner-up at Luhmühlen (2019) and is sitting pretty with two rides in the top-4 as things stand after the first phase. ‘Eliza’ finished on her dressage score at Pau in 2021 to take second place, and will surely have been giving 5* debutant Brookfield Quality a few tips over the stable door. Tom’s a busy boy this week, with two horses going in the 5* and Olympic nominee JL Dublin in the 4*-S, with whom he’s hoping for the chance to replicate his team gold from Tokyo, and perhaps even go one better than the individual silver he brought home from the last Games. But first there’s the small matter of a 5* cross country; what are his thoughts on what’s out there at Luhmühlen?

“Dimensionally, the width is the true 5*, and the skinnies – you can barely fit through them yourself let alone of top of a horse! I think there’s plenty to it. Real clever use of the terrain. I think it’s really clever how, especially early on, there’s quite a few intense areas – lots of different questions. Some visually look easy but actually, the way you set up, the fences before that you’ve had, actually make them a little bit tougher. But the ground is perfect and the course looks stunning. It’s a good proper, test. I think the bounce in the water is quite something [17a and 18b].

🇬🇧 Laura Collett and Hester – 3rd – 30.6

Last year’s champ, Laura’s back for another go at the title, this time with her unicorn, Hester. This lovely mare made her 5* debut at Badminton this season, but Laura decided to save her for another day when she felt a bit green. And that day is today. She looked every bit the 5* star in the first phase, leading overnight after the first day’s competition and remaining in a podium place once all was said and done in the dressage ring. Like Tom, she’s got one eye on the 4*-S, also hoping for another Olympic medal for her trophy cabinet, but she’ll be locked onto the 5* as she leaves the start box, hoping to add to her hattrick of top-level wins. How does she think things compare to last year?

“I think it’s a great track. Fairly similar-ish to last year, but with a few tweaks here and there. I think the first water is serious [Fences 13 & 14]. It comes very much up in your face. But I think they’ve been very kind and there’s a Get Out of Jail – if things go wrong at the first part, you can do a long route [as they’re separately numbered, similar to the second water, Fence 17b & 18a]. So I think that’s fair – it’s obviously still a 5* question, but it’s fair. There’s questions the whole way round to be honest; I wouldn’t really say there’s one that stands out particularly, you’ve got to be on your game the whole way ‘round, right till the end and that’s what a 5* track is, isn’t it?”

Indeed it is, Laura, and it’s why we love ‘em!

🇩🇪 Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo – 5th – 30.9

Home crowd hero Nicolai is in a great spot with game contender, Timmo. And it feels very much deserved, given the unlucky circumstances they’ve faced at the gelding’s previous attempts at the level. They were spun at the First Horse Inspection at Luhmühlen last year, and then, on the lead-up to what should have been their second first 5*, Kentucky, a minor injury involving a pulled shoe prevented him from taking his spot on the plane. But he’s here and he’s put himself well within contention after the first phase. How does Nicolai feel about the track this time around?

“It’s pretty big. I think when you ride it, it’s always a little bit more than the last year. Last year I walked it, just not so good because I was a bit sad because of the trot up. [🙁] I went home and I stayed at home for two days because I didn’t want to talk to anybody. [Somebody give this guy a hug.] But it’s a proper course. The end is really nice for the horses, I think, with the long gallop. The beginning is pretty strong, so I want to give him a good feeling. He’s not like a crazy cross country machine, he is really, really honest on the technical questions, so I hope I find a good rhythm, give him a good feeling and have some fun.

🇧🇪 Lara De Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville – 6th – 31.6

Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Lara’s lovely mare has had a great start to her 5* debut to sit in 6th after the first phase. Being her first time at the level, there will be questions out there that have a, well, question mark on them, but she was clear inside the time at the Nations Cup 4*-L at Boekelo last season, and Lara’s brought her up through the levels over the last five years, so it’s safe so say she knows her pretty well. How does she think the mare will find her first 5*?

“I think the track will suit her. It requires a lot of forward riding, there’s a lot of technicity with that. I’m confident if I ride well, she will be good. I’m not sure about the speed though; she has blood but she needs a lot of preparation for every combination, where I lose a bit of time. I didn’t have the gallop I wanted [in the lead-up to Luhmühlen] because of the rain we’ve had in Europe, but she has a lot of stamina. The last two minutes could be, for her, quite something, but I’m confident she won’t be tired at the end. I never did an eleven minute course with her, so I still have a lot of question marks, but I’m sure if I ride her well she might be really good.”

🇩🇪 Libussa Lübbeke and Caramia 34 – 7th – 31.9

Libussa Lubekke and Caramia 34. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Libussa and Caramia 34 are having a superb first 5* and sit well inside the top-10 after dressage. They’ve got the home crowd advantage as they head out onto the biggest track they’ve faced thus far. She’s got to be feeling just a little nervous about what’s to come, surely? Um, no, not at all. They’re made of tough stuff, these eventers (although math seems to be a slight problem, unless it’s intended as hyperbole, which is 1000% OK).

“I feel quite good, I have to say. She’s a real cross country machine and I can trust her 200% and that’s a really good feeling. I’m very looking forward to it.”

🇬🇧 Mollie Summerland and Flow 7 – 9th – 33

Mollie Summerland and Flow 7. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Former Luhmühlen winner (in 2021) Mollie’s back, this time with 5* first-timer Flow 7. This guy is stun-ning and has danced his way into the top-10 going into the cross country. Flow may not know what’s coming when he leaves the start box, but Mollie’s got his back. How does she think this year’s track compares with the one that she, well, won?

“This one feels more twisty, really; I did feel that when I walked it. Before, we jumped into the Meßmer water first, so it’s got quite a different feel to it [this year, the LeMieux Lagune comes at Fences 13 & 14, and the Meßmer water is at 17ab &18ab]. In the first couple of minutes, I’ll know how he’s feeling with the crowds and everything, so it’s just giving him a chance to settle and take it all in really. I’m definitely not going to come out the start box hassling him too much. I want to let him settle and find his way and then I’ll see what I’ve got after the first couple of minutes.”

🇺🇲 Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna – 16th – 34.2

Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

British-based (for the summers, at least) American Katherine, hunted her way through the mud at Badminton last year with this gelding and jumped clear ‘round the tough – even when there hasn’t been 25,000,000 mm of rain in the lead-up – track, which has got to give her confidence coming into the cross country at Luhmühlen, a course famous for its perfect going, whatever the weather (truly, even if the rest of the site is flooded). (In the interests of science, my guestimate regarding the total mm of rainfall in this example is for the purpose of entertainment only, I actually have no idea how much rain fell, but it was a lot.) Katherine’s planning on having no regrets when she crosses the finish line later on today:

“For me, with him, I think it’s like a 4-star plus. What I need to work on with him the most, his kind of weakness – Achilles heel – basically, is his speed, right? He’s just a little slow and he spends a lot of time in the air. So this, to me, is a wonderful course. It’s well within his jumping abilities, where I’m like, actually, this time I’m going to go out and try and be a little bit quicker. That’s the main goal this weekend. At Badminton, which was his first 5-star, nobody was getting around. I started out like, okay, I just want to finish, because you don’t know what you’re going to have [at the end]. He finished there so full of running and with so much energy. I was like, “Oh, I could have gone faster”. This time I don’t want to finish and think, “Oh, I could have gone faster”.

🇳🇿 Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekönig – 18th – 34.7

Although this is a first 5* for ‘Mr Charles’, it ain’t Samantha’s first rodeo – she was seventh at Luhmühlen in 2021 and has completed at Burghley, Pau and Adelaide, so she’s aware that the crowds a 5* event draws in will be something the gelding’s not seen before:

“To be honest, the first walk, you just walk and pretend like it’s tomorrow’s problem! So I walked around it, and thought it all looked impressive, but nothing stood out as impossible, which which was positive for a first walk. I think that the crowds are going to be a new element for him – I’m thinking I’m going to have to make sure I channel him through the middle, but Luhmühlen’s great in that you’ve got those twisty turnies through the trees, and it actually makes a little bit of a tunnel for the horses to go through. I think he’s a big, bold, galloping horse and I’m going to have to use up the few bits of galloping ground that they’ve allowed for us. The rest is quite twisty, turny, and the water is massive. So it’s going to be kicking on and go from there.”

Tomorrow’s problem is now today – let’s hope it’s no problem!

🇺🇲 Emily Hamel and Corvett – 35th – 38.7

High jump specialist ‘Barry’ is sure to delight the spectators with his signature style as he hops his way ‘round the Luhmühlen track. This pair are adding another 5* to their card this week, making it five out of seven – they’ve completed at both the US 5*s and both of the British ones too. At 17, Barry’s not actually the oldest horse in the field, but he’s sure got a whole lotta miles under his cinch, which makes for a very confident rider:

“I’m feeling pretty good about it. I think I have a good plan at the moment. I’m going to walk it again later today and then again in the morning. It looks like a good test, but doable. It’s not as terrifying as Burghley, but I do think that Mike [Etherington-Smith] did a good job with the course. There’s lots of options everywhere, which is great for different horses and their experience level. It is a little bit interesting because at some events, you’re just like, “It has to be a four,” and this one you’re like, “Well it could be a four or a five,” and so I think the biggest thing is that I’ve got to be on my game and be able to make a decision pretty quickly, based on my jump in. But I’m looking forward to it. We do know each other really well, so it just feels really comfortable going out there – maybe I should be a bit more nervous! But I just trust him and I know he can jump anything, from anywhere. Hopefully he doesn’t have to jump from anywhere, but he’s a good boy and I trust him completely.”

And there you have it. The inside intel into what’s in store for the 5* cross country at the 2024 Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials.
Go Eventing!

EN’s coverage of the Longines Luhmühlen 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!

Longines Luhmühlen: Website | Entries | Timetable | Live Scores | Tickets | Livestream | EN’s Coverage

Thursday News & Notes from Ecogold

The First Horse Inspection has been and gone and we saw some very cool ‘fits on the Luhmühlen catwalk jog strip – not all of them weather appropriate, the Brits in particular seemed to have overestimated the early summer weather in Germany, but stylish all the same. The competition proper will be underway by the time Stateside ENers awake, unless you’re a superfan and got up especially to tune in on H&C+, and if you did, we salute you!

Here’s the times you need to know if you’re planning on following along:

Thursday
8:30am CEST / 3:30am ET – 4*-S Dressage
2:15pm CEST / 8:15am ET – 5* Dressage

Friday
8:15am CEST / 3:15am ET – 4*-S Dressage
2pm CEST / 8am ET – 5* Dressage

Saturday
8:30am CEST / 3:30am ET – 5* Cross Country
12:15pm CEST / 6:15am ET – 4*-S Cross Country

Sunday
7:30am CEST / 2:30am ET – Final Horse Inspection
9:25am CEST / 4:30am ET – 5* Show Jumping
12:15pm CEST / 6:16am ET – 4*-S Show Jumping

🇺🇲 If you’re cheering on the Americans, here’s when they’ll be coming up the center line:

Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna go at 4:20pm CEST / 10:20am ET today (Thursday).

Emily Hamel and Corvett will have their turn in the dressage ring at 2:37pm CEST / 9:37am ET on Friday.

You’ll find the order of go for the dressage here: [Thursday] [Friday]

H&C+ will be livestreaming the entire event (subscription required) – check it out here.

EN have got you covered for the whole competition. Here’s some links to get you started:

▶️ Our Ultimate Guide to Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials.

▶️ EN’s epic form guide to the runners and riders in the 5* competition.

▶️ There’s was a little drama and a fair bit of rain at the First Horse Inspection – read all about it in Tilly’s write-up.

You’ll find all of our Luhmühlen content right here.

We’ll be comin’ at ya with reports from every phase, live updates from the 5* cross country, course previews and the riders’ thoughts, IG content @goeventing, and well, all the Luhmühlen content you can handle basically, so keep it locked onto EN, and go eventing!

Longines Luhmühlen (Germany) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Live Stream – H&C+] [EN’s Coverage]

U.S. Weekend Preview

Aspen Farm H.T (Yelm, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Full Gallop Farm June H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. (Poolesville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. I (Santa Ynez, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. (Camp Lake, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

International Events

Longines Luhmühlen (Germany) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Live Stream – H&C+] [EN’s Coverage]

Thursday News and Reading

Call-out from Kiwi eventer extraordinaire Jonelle Price: “Our friends @lovelauncestonhorsetrials need some entries! Andy – the main man – will do anything for his beloved event. He’s been mowing the grass since January, extended the show jump arena, re-seeded the dressage area and would love to welcome you to this fantastic little event. Don’t be daunted by the Cornish post code, it’s just a hop over the border and easily accessible (2 miles) off the dual carriage A30. So if you’ve been balloted from Farley or hadn’t planned to run that weekend, give it some thought – I can personally vouch for the experience.” Entries are open and the event will run on 22 and 23 June.

Fancy working for a Badminton podium finisher? Team Bragg is recruiting. Interested? (Aren’t we all?) Click here.

The FEI’s Equine Welfare Strategy Action Plan has been finalized and funding announced to support its launch. Based on feedback gathered from equestrians, scientists and other experts, the action plan aims to improve horse welfare across equestrian sport and will be implemented immediately. It includes a proposal for rule changes in the interests of safeguarding horse welfare, which will be made at the FEI General Assembly this year. Find out more.

Love them or hate them, fireworks can cause big problems for horse owners, and there’s very little we can do in terms of the law as things stand right now. A report published by Redwings Horse Sanctuary, and informed by barristers and veterinarians, amongst other professionals, found that the Animal Welfare Act just doesn’t offer any protection, despite the fact that DEFRA refers to the Act when faced with the topic of protecting animals from firework-related problems. Campaigns and Policy Manager for Redwings, Helen Whitelegg, explains the intention behind the report: “We hope that the publication of this report will mean that ministers will no longer hide behind the illusion that the Animal Welfare Act offers any protection or recourse for those whose pets are caused to suffer because of fireworks”. Read more about the report’s findings here.

A love letter to Bridgerton may not be the most obvious choice for an equestrian publication – but nevertheless, here’s just that, woven together with a horsey-ish theme. You’re welcome.

We’ll finish up today – in true three-day format – with some show jumping. First up, Britain’s Joe Stockdale was on course for a cricket career, but an injury saw him spending more time in the saddle. When his dad, Olympian and Chef d’Equipe Tim Stockdale, sadly passed away, Joe had a choice to make – colored poles or cricket whites? Well, let’s just say, the bright lights of the show jumping ring and a good friend in William Funnell (if you’re wondering, yes he is Pippa’s husband) convinced him to continue his dad’s legacy, and now he’s on form for a trip to Paris this summer. Here’s Joe’s story. Meanwhile, across the pond… From grooming at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series a couple of years ago to winning the 5* Grand Prix there last weekend – and being the first of his nation ever to do so – Czech rider Václav Staněk sure knows how to jump onto a top-level sporting scene. Czech out how he did it. (Please don’t excuse the pun, because, well, it’s fun.)

Sponsor Corner

The Ecogold team had a wonderful weekend at the MARS Bromont CCI! Watch the recap 👇 Were you at Bromont this weekend?

Video Break

From serious injury last season to the Team GB longlist for Paris, Bubby Upton wowed us all at Badminton when she made her epic comeback. Here she is talking about how she overcame the odds and became the “unstoppable Bubby Upton”:

Wednesday News & Notes

And so we find ourselves at the midpoint of the 5* season, with Adelaide, Kentucky and Badminton in the rearview and Luhmühlen looming large this weekend. As well as the 5* competition, the 4*-S looks set to be hotly contested by Olympic hopefuls and German riders with designs on the National Championship alike, in what’s sure to be a big weekend of eventing.

Of course, we’ll be here for all of it, with boots on the ground courtesy of Tilly and a whole team of chinchillas scurrying around backstage to bring you all of the action. As well as our customary daily reports detailing each phase of the competition, we’ve got live updates from the 5* cross country headed your way, cross country previews and a round-up of what the riders think of the course, as well as a bunch of Instagram content @goeventing and a whole lot more. Stay tuned ENers, it’s going to be a good one.

Eyes on for EN’s epic form guide to all the 5* runners and riders – coming soon!

Some times to note:

Wednesday
4:30pm CEST / 10:30am ET – First Horse Inspection

Thursday
8:20am CEST / 3:20am ET – 4*-S Dressage
2:30pm CEST / 8:30am ET – 5* Dressage

Friday
8:15am CEST / 3:15am ET – 4*-S Dressage
2pm CEST / 8am ET – 5* Dressage

Saturday
8:30am CEST / 3:30am ET – 5* Cross Country
12:15pm CEST / 6:15am ET – 4*-S Cross Country

Sunday
7:30am CEST / 2:30am ET – Final Horse Inspection
9:25am CEST / 4:25am ET – 5* Show Jumping
12:15pm CEST / 6:15am ET – 4*-S Show Jumping

H&C+ will be livestreaming the entire event (subscription required) – check it out here.

Last year’s 5* champs Laura Collett and London 52 will go in the 4* this time around as they make their preparations for – perhaps – Paris. The team are manifesting no drama for the llama on their barn whiteboard (above), whilst white unicorn Hester is having another go at the upper echelons of eventing with some valuable experience under her cinch after rerouting from Badminton. It’ll be all to play for at Luhmühlen – bring it on!

Let’s go eventing!

Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials (Germany) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Live Stream – H&C+]

U.S. Weekend Preview

Aspen Farm H.T (Yelm, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Full Gallop Farm June H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. (Poolesville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. I (Santa Ynez, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. (Camp Lake, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

International Events

Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials (Germany) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Live Stream – H&C+]

Wednesday News and Reading

The third leg of the FEI Nations Cup happened last weekend over in Switzerland, with the home side making their play for the title. With three legs now done, and four to go, Switzerland and Italy are tied at the top of the clubhouse leaderboard. The series moves on to Strzegom in Poland next weekend. But before we set our sights on the next leg, find out how the Swiss team conquered in Avenches.

We’ve been following Shane Rose’s journey back into the saddle and onto the road to Paris with awe. And we’re not the only ones. EquiRatings’ Nicole Brown spoke to him about, well, everything, for the latest installment of ‘When Nicole Met…’. From his eventing beginnings in Australia and how he manages to finance his, frankly, incredibly spendy career choice, to his foray into racing and, of course, his epic comeback – it’s all here.

Oliver Townend has hung onto his spot as World No. 1 this month, in no small part thanks to his exceptional young mare, 2024 Kentucky champ, Cooley Rosalent. We’re waiting with baited breath to find out which four combinations from the totally stacked Team GB longlist will be heading to Paris this summer, and Oliver’s got a chance to add to his gold medal from Tokyo with his up-and-coming star. (Ballaghmor Class has been withdrawn from the nominated entries list.) Oliver’s talented mare is FEI’s Horse of the Month, and, although we don’t yet know if she’ll get her Olympic cap this time around, one thing’s for sure, the future’s looking rosy for Rosie.

And speaking of Oliver, his withdrawal from Badminton meant an end to the Grand Slam dream, for now at least. It’s the third time his attempt to win the triple crown of eventing has been scuppered, but he’s not alone in seeing his chance at the ultimate eventing title slip away. But hey, to even be in with a shot is a huge achievement, so finding yourself on this list of failed attempts isn’t actually a bad thing.

And finally, Modern Pentathlon has really been through the wringer since Tokyo. Paris will be the last time that show jumping is part of this multi-discipline sport, with a new ninja-style obstacle race replacing the horsey element for the LA Games. It’s not a universally popular decision, and the current Olympic and World champion is considering hanging up his sneakers because of it. Britain’s Joe Choong is preparing to defend his title this summer, but things aren’t looking so certain for his parter, and fellow Modern Pentathlon competitor, Liv Green. Find out why Paris may be the end of both of their Olympic dreams.

Video Break

Check out Andrew Hoy’s horsemanship tips for kids in this informative – and super cute – video offering:

Thursday News & Notes from Ecogold

Whilst we’re a community united in grief, we do feel that, as a media source, it’s necessary for us to gently look forward today. But first, a reminder that there’s help and support available to anyone who needs it at this sad and difficult time.

This weekend, the FEI Nations Cup reconvenes in Ireland for what is now the second leg, following the abandonment of the Chatsworth event a couple of weeks ago. Team France are currently in pole position, securing the win in Montelibretti ahead of the home nation, Italy. Here’s a round-up of the season opener.

American interests in Ireland lie with Jennifer Caras and Sommersby*, Molly Duda and Disco Traveler, Alexa Gartenberg and Cooley Kildaire, Emily Hamel and Corvett*, Caroline Pamukcu and King’s Especiale*, and Alyssa Phillips and Oskar*. (*Denotes team combination – find out more about the US team here.)

There are nine countries represented, and with clubhouse leaders France and runners-up Italy not in the mix, there’s a chance for other nations to make their bid.

You can follow the 4*-S Nations Cup division via the free livestream on the FEI YouTube channel – links below.

US riders are also taking on the 4*-L division at Millstreet: Cosby Green rides Highly Suspicious, Rowan Laird will pilot Sceilig Concordio, and Pan-Ams gold medalist Caroline Pamukcu has a busy weekend ahead with rides in both of the 4* classes; she brings She’s The One forward for the long-format.

You can watch all of the competition from Millstreet International on ClipMyHorse.TV (subscription required).

U.S. Weekend Preview

Carriage House Farm Combined Test (Hugo, MN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (Cle Elum, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Essex H.T. (Gladstone, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (Geneseo, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

GMHA June H.T. (South Woodstock, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

IEA Horse Trials (Edinburgh, IN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (Cockeysville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ocala Summer H.T. I (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Poplar Place June H.T. (Hamilton, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Spring Event at Archer (Cheyenne, WY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

European International Events

Millstreet International Horse Trials (Nations Cup) (Co. Cork, Ireland) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Scoring] [Free Live Stream NC Dressage 1] [Free Live Stream NC Dressage 2] [Free Live Stream NC Show Jumping] [Free Live Stream NC Cross Country] [Complete Live Stream – CMH]

Outdoor Horst (Kronenberg, The Netherlands) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Thursday News and Reading

First, a tribute to Australian dressage rider Elliot Patterson, who passed away on May 26 following a fall at home. We’ve been very aware that our eventing community isn’t alone in our grief this week. The helplines we’ve shared are open to all. Our thoughts are with Elliot’s loved ones at this incredibly sad time.

The European Equestrian Federation have formed a veterinary working group dedicated to ensuring the highest levels of welfare in equestrian sport. EEF President Theo Ploegmakers explains, “Through offering informed advice, innovative proposals, and disseminating crucial information, we aim to foster an environment where horses in sport are nurtured, protected and respected”. Find out more.

A regular slot with your farrier or going by eye – what’s best when it comes to hooves? Whilst it’s true that every horse is different, it’s also true that all horses’ hooves grow at a steady rate. So once you’ve got into the groove with your horse, veterinarian and expert farrier Brian Eitelman suggests that a regular schedule is necessary.

You’ll never be a know-it-all when it comes to horses. You’ve probably realized by now that horses are always throwing up learning opportunities – about horses and about life. So it’s totally OK not to know everything already, and a red flag if someone claims that they do.

Finally, enjoy this photo gallery of braids with a little something extra.

Sponsor Corner

Trying to find your next saddle pad sponsor? Ecogold is waiting for you! They’re currently accepting applications for their next sponsored rider. Fill out this form before June 7th to be considered.

Video Break

Re-live the cross country from the first Nations Cup leg at Montelibretti, Italy.

Wednesday News & Notes

As we continue to reflect, grieve and feel for everyone affected by the tragedies that have rocked both the eventing and dressage communities this week, here’s a reminder that help is available to anyone who needs it. Riders Minds is available 24 hours a day, wherever you are in the world, at ridersminds.org.

Tilly also rounded up a comprehensive list of resources yesterday – here it is.

Within the devastation that such loss brings is a reminder to love your loved ones hard – family, friends, horses and pets, but also every other being we share this planet with, you never know who’s hurting. That’s where I’ll leave things for today, with love.

I’ve rounded up some other news below, but if you’re not feeling it, then take your leave here and know that you’re not alone.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Carriage House Farm Combined Test (Hugo, MN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (Cle Elum, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Essex H.T. (Gladstone, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (Geneseo, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

GMHA June H.T. (South Woodstock, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

IEA Horse Trials (Edinburgh, IN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (Cockeysville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ocala Summer H.T. I (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Poplar Place June H.T. (Hamilton, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Spring Event at Archer (Cheyenne, WY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

European International Events

Millstreet International Horse Trials (Nations Cup) (Co. Cork, Ireland) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Scoring] [Free Live Stream NC Dressage 1] [Free Live Stream NC Dressage 2] [Free Live Stream NC Show Jumping] [Free Live Stream NC Cross Country]

Outdoor Horst (Kronenberg, The Netherlands) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Wednesday News and Reading

William Fox-Pitt brings eventing to the mainstream. This article from The Telegraph is behind a paywall (although there is the option of a free trial) but we all know that this legend’s words of wisdom are worth it.

Paris edges closer. Preparations for the Paris Olympics have obviously been underway for quite some time, but with nominated entries announcements popping up, and now a call for dressage contenders to submit their freestyle music for rights clearance, things feel just that little bit closer.

The National Pony Express is saddling up ready to deliver mail old style. Each year, this historic run is recreated and you can send a letter via the original trail. Find out more about the event here, and keep track of the riders here. The ride begins June 17.

And here’s a deep dive by Western Horseman into the Pony Express. Facts, myths, and mystery, it’s all here.

The one thing that brings us all together, regardless of discipline or level, is the love of the horse. I’ve tried out a bunch of different lanes over the years, from show jumping and eventing as a teenager to being a happy hacker when I thought I’d grown out of all that to, more recently, cowboying up and going Western. Each foray into the world of horses has brought me new pleasures, experiences and learning. It’s OK to dip a toe in and then switch, or spend a significant amount of time doing one thing, but take the opportunity to change when it presents itself, as the Assistant Editor of Horse&Rider acknowledges in this piece about her journey with horses.

Video Break

Something a bit different for today’s Video Break. Here’s the stunning scenery of Iceland, complete with horses:

Thursday News & Notes from Ecogold

We start off today’s News & Notes with some sad news from Andrew Hoy, who has said goodbye to his “dear friend” Cheeky Calimbo, aged 22, who had spent his retirement with Andrew at home.

Andrew was at Cheeky’s side as he “crossed the rainbow bridge” and over the last few days the gelding’s loved ones had visited him to say their goodbyes.

It’s the hardest part of loving these special animals. It’s such a privilege to love them, care for them, and partner them, and then be there for them when the time comes to let them go.

Here’s Andrew’s tribute to his “Master” and family member, the “genius and lunatic” that was Cheeky Calimbo:

“Until we meet again, my dear friend. ❤️
Vale CHEEKY CALIMBO.

We knew for a long time that this day was coming – and I knew that you would let me know when you were ready for it. This morning you crossed the rainbow bridge 🌈 – and I am glad I could be by your side right until the end.

Everyone came to say goodbye to you over the last days – and it seems you knew. Your appetite this morning was greater than in any of the last weeks – it seems you knew you had to prepare yourself for a big journey.

You and I had 9 years at the top of international sports together – you name it, we have been there. Aachen, Luhmühlen, Gatcombe, Saumur, Montelibretti, Bramham, Jardy, Strzegom , Boekelo, Haras du Pin, Blair Castle, Houghton Hall, Wiesbaden, Breda – to just name a few.
…and what a journey it has been. 🙌

In you, I certainly found my Master – you were a genius and lunatic at the same time, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – and we often had to define whether it was a ‘Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde kind of day’ 🤣🫣 Your talent in all phases was certainly without limits – and so was your mental strength- and we all admired you for it. ⭐️

Above all of this – you were a member of our family. ❤️
I am so grateful to Cheeky’s owner, Ms Christiane Classen – for her support through all of our highs and all of our lows – and for letting Cheeky retire with us at Somerby Stables.

After all those years in the sport together you had 6 years of happy retirement with us – playing in the field, enjoying the sunshine on your back, loving your Massage treatments with Cressida and still having all of your beloved human and equine friends around you.

Today, we are all crying.
From tomorrow on, we will be so very grateful that we have had you in our lives.

Thank you, Cheeky. ❤️”

Our thoughts are with Andrew and all of this special horse’s connections. Gallop on, Cheeky.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Flora Lea Spring H.T. (Medford, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Spring Coconino Horse Trials (Flagstaff, AZ)[Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

USEA MDHT YEH/NEH Qualifier (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Willow Draw Charity Show (Weatherford, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Woodside Spring H.T. (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Bicton Arena International (1) (Devon) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

European Events

Equestrian Festival Baborówko (Poland) [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring] [Live Stream – CMH]

Thursday News and Reading

Operation Gallop: A new initiative to help reduce horse-related crime in the UK. Bringing together relevant organizations, including the police, and the public, “Operation Gallop is a true partnership with agencies working together to tackle all aspects of equine crime and welfare”. There’s tons of information on the Operation Gallop website and you can find out more on the Facebook page too.

Got a busybody or a daydreamer who can’t help but focus on everything but you? I read this with interest considering my guy’s 100% daydreamer, unless he’s in his busybody zone. Seriously, being able to get and maintain your horse’s attention isn’t just necessary for your work under saddle, it’s actually vital for basic safety whenever you’re around your equine. This article explains the science behind how horses’ attention works in a way that even non-sciency brains can get, compares it to how we humans work, illustrates all of this with research involving basketball and gorilla suits, rounding off with the characteristics of the busybody horse and the daydreamer, and how you can work on getting their attention back to you so that you can go forth as a partnership. It’s well worth your full attention.

“First – you have to love the horses. There is no way to last in this sport without that love.” John Madden, newly appointed chairman of the International Grooms Association, explains what it takes to succeed in the demanding position of groom, and how the IGA is looking out for those that take on this vital role. From a true love of horses to a sense of humor, he captures the characteristics that saw him thrive during his time as a groom on the hunter/jumper circuit in the 1970s, through to his work for US Equestrian and the FEI, and how he’s applying his experience to benefit today’s grooms, including the strict no-martyrs rule he adopts in his own business.

Research is such an important area when it comes to learning about equines and improving the ways in which we understand their needs, work with them, and ensure the highest levels of welfare. But research needs subjects, so how do those conducting equine studies safeguard the horses they’re working with? Obviously, there are strict ethical codes involved, which are explained in this informative piece, including examples of the considerations different studies have taken when it comes to selecting the equine subjects for their research.

Beyonce may have made headlines with her cowgirl image for her new album, but the story of Black cowboys is actually 200 years old. “For nearly 200 years, two separate cowboy narratives, one Black and one white, have trotted side by side in the US. The two have rarely crossed paths. Until now.” This article from The Guardian looks back at the history of the cowboy, and examines the awakening in more recent times which has brought the Black cowboy story to the surface. Saddle up and settle in for this interesting and enlightening long read.

Sponsor Corner

Look at all that emotion 😁🥺😻 Ecogold-sponsored Auburn Eventing won the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate Championships. Check out their beautifully monogrammed Ecogold saddle pads. Congratulations Auburn Eventing!!

Video Break

Yesterday we looked ahead to the penultimate 5* of the season, today we’re looking back at Burghleys past, specifically William Fox-Pitt’s ridiculous amount of success at the British fall 5* offering. His first win came three decades ago, in 1994, and he went on to take the title a further five times. Although this great event has retained all of the excitement of the sport, William’s been witness to its evolution over the years. Check out this cool video compilation of William doing what he does best, giving a riding lesson to us all whilst navigating one of the toughest tracks in the world.

Wednesday News & Notes

It may seem a little early in the season to be thinking about the penultimate 5* of the year. The sun has finally begun to make an appearance, things look to be shaping up for a long, hot summer, and mid-October feels like at least a year away (it’s 147 days to be precise). But here’s your friendly reminder that it’s time to take a hot minute to bag your tickets to MARS Maryland 5* at Fair Hill. Getting his horsey fix in at the Preakness Stakes last weekend, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson took time out from the racing to give eventing a five-star rating (or ten in fact, there’s definitely two hands up there), and it seems he wasn’t the only one to clock fashion icon Will Faudree’s pink suit at Kentucky (he was obviously following the best weekend all year – obviously). Anyway, if you’re planning on being there in the flesh at Maryland, here’s your tickets link. Go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Flora Lea Spring H.T. (Medford, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Spring Coconino Horse Trials (Flagstaff, AZ)[Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

USEA MDHT YEH/NEH Qualifier (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Willow Draw Charity Show (Weatherford, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Woodside Spring H.T. (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Bicton Arena International (1) (Devon) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

International Events

Equestrian Festival Baborówko (Poland) [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring] [Live Stream – CMH]

Wednesday News and Reading

The Queen of England graced Badminton with her presence on the final day to present the prizes to the winners. And she’ll continue her steadfast support of equestrian sport, confirming this week that she will remain as patron of British Equestrian.

Every day’s a school day with horses. Quite literally, every time we interact with our horses we’re schooling them, but it’s not just a one-sided thing. I’ve learned more about myself, and life, in the past six months with my buddy than I had in the forty years prior. From accepting the down days to being present in the moment, toughening up and laughing through the madness, there are a whole bunch of life lessons available at the barn if we’re open to them. Here’s ten lessons we can learn from our horse.

With the news of William Fox-Pitt’s retirement from top competition, we’ve seen a resurgence of articles about the eventing legend. And whilst we’ll all surely miss seeing him galloping across our screens, we’ll still get to learn from his vast experience and exquisite horsemanship by diving into the archives and accessing the wealth of information he’s put out there over the years. Here’s one such instance, where William demonstrates the importance of rider position and gives a bunch of tips for things to work on at home so that once you’re out on cross country, things are whole lot smoother.

From one eventing hero to another, Pippa Funnell’s put fingers to keyboard to give us an insight into her Badminton experience. As we all saw at the First Horse Inspection, MCS Maverick is not a straightforward kind of guy. After his jog strip shenanigans, he was given a lead down the chute into the Main Arena from the now famous Albert before his dressage test. But boy oh boy did he light up the cross country, finishing up his second time at the top-level with a top-10 place and convincing Pippa that she’ll have to keep at this eventing lark for a little longer yet. Here’s Pippa’s take on a successful week’s eventing.

Hot on Horse Nation: Kendall Jenner brings her horsegirl chic to Vogue. We love a celebrity equestrian, particularly when they show the mainstream just how cool it is to be a horsegirl. Go horses (and horsepeople)!

And finally, when a loose horse started swimming out to sea, this stable worker ensured a happy ending to a really scary situation. The horse was taking part in his routine exercise on the beach when he slipped on some seaweed and unseated his rider. Inexplicably, he just started swimming out to sea. Stripping off her extra layers and going in after the gelding, Jordyn Billings saved the day and safely brought him back to shore, none the worse for his maritime adventure.

Video Break

Little Leo Martin is quickly becoming a star in his own right, and deservedly so. While dad was busy working his butt off riding horses at Kentucky, here’s Leo having his #BestWeekendAllYear. How long ’til he shows up in a Stars and Stripes suit and officiates weddings between autograph signings?

Video Break: On Board Vassily De Lassos with Andrew Hoy

While we were all eyes on Badminton, over in Germany, an international competition was happening at Marbach, where Australia’s Andrew Hoy won the 4*-L with Vassily De Lassos.

Incredibly, this is Vassily’s first international win, despite being an Olympic individual bronze and team silver medalist, and having over twenty top-5 placings. He’s also a clear inside the time specialist, both out on cross country and in the show jumping ring. Seriously, if when this horse takes on Paris, he’ll be a real player.

“Vassily was once again his fabulous self and the ‘Magical Ginger Unicorn’ we all know him as – and I am so grateful for him letting me ‘borrow his wings’,” Andrew wrote on Instagram. “An incredible performance – fast, efficient, confident and displaying the outstanding fitness level of his Anglo-Arabian genetics.

“I love coming to Marbach every year – the rolling hills are a real ‘Game Changer’ in the fitness level for all my horses – from the young ones starting their career to my ‘seasoned Pros’ getting ready for a Championship.”

Enjoy one of Andrew’s classic helmet cams as we ride ‘round Marbach with Vassily:

Thursday News & Notes from Ecogold

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Ever since Badminton I’ve been struck with one heck of an eventing hangover, and seeing this share from Laura Collett made me wonder if I was in the midst of one of the far-out lucid dreams I’m plagued with secretly enjoy, which are, apparently, a symptom of being embroiled in the eventing madness that is a 5* weekend. I don’t keep a diary, but I do relay my nocturnal headtrips to an EN buddy and it turns out, I’m pretty normal – well, when I’m firmly planted between the flags with the red on my right, at least.

In other – less weird – news, Hot Bobo’s baby is doing great after a bit of a turbulent start to life. Little Hot Tamale is home and Karl Slezak has assured everyone who’s been following her journey that there are no expected future limitations linked to her premature birth. ‘Molly’ sure looks like hot stuff and we can’t wait to see her galloping in her mom’s footsteps at events one day.

National Day of Note: Today is National Horse Rescue Day – which, really, should be every day. It’s such a privilege to spend our lives with horses, and, although it can be a pretty tough life, with the weight of responsibility, the physical labor, the emotional turmoil they can put you through, the lack of sleep… over and above it all is the power of our connection with these awesome beings and the devotion they give us. If there’s anything you can do to help out one of the excellent horse rescue programs that are working to give all horses what we give ours, please think about that today, and every day, really.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times]

Fair Hill International Recognized H.T. (Elkton, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Hitching Post Farm H.T. (South Royalton, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Hunt Club Farms H.T. (Berryville, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Otter Creek Spring H.T. (Wheeler, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Spokane Sport Horse Spring H.T. (Spokane, WA) [Website] [Entries][Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Spring Gulch H.T. (Highlands Ranch, CO) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Vista Spring YEH/NEH Qualifier (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Chatsworth International (FEI Nations Cup) (Derbyshire, UK) [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream] [NC 4*-S XC Livestream via FEI YouTube Channel]

European International Events

LONGINES Whitsun Tournament Wiesbaden (Germany) [Website] [Times] [Scoring] [CMH Live Stream]

Thursday News and Reading

Call out for USEA Members and VIP Volunteers to share their best bits If you’re one of those very, very good guys who help to keep our sport running, head on over to this IG post and share what roles you love and why for the chance to be featured in a USEA article.

It’s not your trainer’s job to… We get it, trainers are a huge part of our lives, but do we sometimes assume their job description includes more than it actually does? Here’s what trainers have to say about that. Guilty? Well now you know.

Today’s tearjerker is one of those bittersweet tales that it’s nice to enjoy over a cup of something comforting. Appropriate for Horse Rescue Day, this is the story of a foster-based rescue in Pittsburgh. Obviously, fostering means that horses will come and go from the center, and although it’s great that they’re moving on to forever homes, there are people who will miss them once they’re gone. Blogger Sarah K. Susa recounts a childhood memory as she explains how she prepares the kids who’ve fallen in love with foster horses for saying goodbye.

Before I’d even met a horse in real life, I was a horse girl. I spent as much time as I could enveloped in horses, only I could hold my barn in my hands, as I devoured every single horse book I could find. One series in particular was The Silver Brumby – my fascination for wild horses was born between those pages. And so, when I came across this article about a program that works to rehome wild brumbies , it piqued my interest. There are sad truths about some of the methods used to manage the wild herds, but overall this piece is about the people who are working towards positive alternatives and their celebration of these versatile equines.

Sponsor Corner

Did you spot Ecogold’s saddle pads at the USEA Intercollegiate Championships? University of Kentucky Eventing Team looked stunning in their custom Ecogold pads! The Ecogold Breeze collection can be customized to match your team’s colors.

Video Break

Not every horse who goes to Badminton is one of the big guys… Enter the Shetland Pony Grand National , which is both fun and serious in equal measure. Honestly, you may be giggling at the spectacle of itty bitty ponies, their lil legs going like the clappers as they gallop over teeny fences, but many of the young riders move on from these pint-sized rides to have exciting equestrian careers. And the whole thing is in aid of charity – this year the Bob Champion Cancer Trust.


Wednesday News & Notes

I’m always left feeling kinda lost after a 5* ends. I’ve been so immersed in everything eventing that when I surface, real life doesn’t seem well, real.

And so I take to the Gram to relive it all from new perspectives, looking for the stories of eventing which are such a huge part of our sport. Like the horse and rider who came last, last year and returned to become champions; the rookie combination – an ‘amateur’ one-horse rider who found herself on the 5* podium; the inspirational comeback of one very determined young woman; the long-awaited completion that had eluded the daughter of a former Badminton champion for four years; and the former farrier who’s waited an awful long while to stand on the 5* podium, and sailed his way up 50 places to do just that.

And of course, the news that William Fox-Pitt is in fact making good on his teasing, and retiring from top level competition. Clare Balding had tears in her eyes as she rounded off the BBC broadcast following his interview confirming the news, and she wasn’t the only one. The eventing legend has been part of the sport ever since the very first event I watched – he was a young up-and-comer then. Thanks for making me feel so old, William!

Badminton’s never just about the podium, or the top-10, or even the top-20. Each competitor has their own story, their own motivation for reaching for the stars, and working their butts off just to have the chance to walk through that arch and say that they’ve been to Badminton. There’s the stories of disappointment that don’t for one second detract from the pride they have for their horse; the rider who’s become a mom since her last trip to the big one (and hopes her mare will be joining her in the mommy club one day); the veteran “horse of a lifetime” who made his whole team’s dream come true; and the fireman who made the save of the day, but still got wet for a second year running.

And then there’s Boyd Martin, who has now completed all seven of the world’s 5*s, ticking the final box and securing his Badminton completion thanks to Thomas.

One thing’s for sure, all of the awesome ponies who’ve given us eventing fans an epic weekend of sport deserve all the pats.

What a wonderful celebration of our sport we’ve witnessed. What a sport.

There was another very welcome sight this week, Tom McEwen shared an update on his Olympic gold and silver medal winner Toledo de Kerser (above), who sustained an injury at Burghley last season. He’s back in the tack and enjoying a walk in the spring sunshine.

Whatever stories you’re writing with your horses this week, enjoy, and go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times]

Fair Hill International Recognized H.T. (Elkton, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Hitching Post Farm H.T. (South Royalton, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Hunt Club Farms H.T. (Berryville, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Otter Creek Spring H.T. (Wheeler, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Spokane Sport Horse Spring H.T. (Spokane, WA) [Website] [Entries][Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Spring Gulch H.T. (Highlands Ranch, CO) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Vista Spring YEH/NEH Qualifier (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

UK International Events

Chatsworth International (FEI Nations Cup) (Derbyshire, UK) [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

European International Events

LONGINES Whitsun Tournament Wiesbaden (Germany) [Website] [Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream]

Wednesday News and Reading

What do an osteopath, a policing graduate and a horse with no name have in common? A place on the Badminton podium, that’s what. The big class wasn’t the only thing happening on the Badminton estate last week. The BE100 Grassroots Championship is surely on the bucket list of all wanna-be eventers, myself included – if they ever decide to run a 30cm version. Read the stories of the lucky ones whose Badminton dreams came true at grassroots.

There were a number of Badminton entries who showed up against the young guns and proved that age is just a number. I’m always super impressed by the veteran eventers who come out looking fabulous and are a true testament to the work the team put into them at home, and on the road, and the careful management that goes into keeping them at the top of their game. From routine care to nutrition and fitness, read up on the specific needs of the older equine in this informative article.

It’s one thing preparing your horse for a show and then delivering the goods once you’re there – but shipping horses and having them in unfamiliar circumstances can throw up sticky situations. From ensuring that biosecurity measures are sound in terms of the trailer your horse is traveling in, to managing unforeseen changes in diet and behavior, get clued up and prepared for whatever comes your way with this advice from two sport horse veterinarians.

Keeping your horse in your backyard brings a whole new set of horse girl quirks. Having my guy at home is for sure the long-term dream, but for now he’s boarded with my trainer who’s reasonably patient with my paranoia and constant messages wondering if my buddy’s got enough hay to keep him happy. This list of 10 things backyard barn people don’t want you to know is kind of why I haven’t taken the step to bringing my baby home. (Although, to be fair, the bra thing is optional even if you do board your horse IMO, as long as it’s cold enough for a couple of layers, which, in North Wales, it always is. Comfort first, ladies.)

Video Break

And finally, a bit of fun. Can you tell a mare from a gelding just by looking at their face? In three seconds? Test your skills with @evangrooms:

It All Comes Down to This – Let the Clenching Commence! – Live Blog from the Finale of MARS Badminton Horse Trials

Tim Price and Vitali leaped into the lead yesterday. Will they stay there? Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

And so we find ourselves on the final day of this year’s Badminton extravaganza. If you feel like the whole thing’s gone by in a flash, don’t fret – we’ve got your back. Here are all the links you need to catch up on the action thus far:

Dressage Day One:
▶️ Test-by-test blog
▶️ Morning round-up report
▶️ Afternoon round-up report

Dressage Day Two:
▶️ Test-by-test blog
▶️ Morning round-up report
▶️ Afternoon round-up report

Cross Country Day:
▶️ Round-by-round blog
▶️ Round-up report

If you want to follow along with the form as we jump our way through the finale, you’ll be in need of EN’s epic Form Guide, which you’ll find right here.

What a day’s sport we had yesterday. It was a great showing on the world stage and a fitting anniversary celebration for Badminton Horse Trials. In true cross country fashion, yesterday’s competition saw the leaderboard both shaken and stirred – with the speedier rounds making their cross country day climb and unlucky errors seeing a few of the favorites drop out of contention.

There’s an international flair to the top of the scoreboard at this point in the competition, but the margins are tight and we all know just how easily those poles can roll when the pressure’s on. Here’s how things look at the top as we head into the final phase:

1️⃣ 🇳🇿 Clawing his way from third to first with the fourth quickest time of the day – the only rider to have completed all seven of the world’s 5*s (plus the pop-up event at Bicton in 2021) – Tim Price and last year’s seventh place finisher Vitali have been in this position before. He may have joked about his show jumping form (three poles at each of their four 5* runs, and at Tokyo) in the leading rider interviews following the cross country yesterday, but he’s been doing his homework (well, Spain-work) and got in some very good practice on the Sunshine Tour over the winter. Will it all come good for them today? It wasn’t the record-breaking dressage performance we saw them deliver at Burghley last season, but it was mighty impressive nonetheless and slotted them into third place after the first phase on a score of 27.7. They were characteristically quick and brave across the country yesterday, one of few combinations to take on the tricky line out of the water at 17 to the big tree at 18 head on, and made it look easy. Just four time penalties to add for them, leaving them on a two-phase score of 31.7. He’s got three seconds in hand, but not a rail.

2️⃣ 🇬🇧 Just 1.3 points behind is 14-time 5* winner – ‘will-he-won’t-he’ William Fox-Pitt with Maryland runner-up Grafennacht. William lost a couple of seconds yesterday when he chose to take the longer route and circle before that – perhaps very influential, depending on what happens today – big tree with roots at 18, and still managed to come home with the second fastest round of the day, adding just 2.4 time penalties to his dressage score of 33, jumping him from eighth to second on the clubhouse leaderboard. They’ve got a rail but no more over third place coming into the final phase.

3️⃣ 🇮🇪 We love a leaderboard climb to the top on cross country day, and 5* rookie combination – and ‘amateur’ rider – Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint gave us just that. Streaking up 43 places with the fastest round of the day, just a single second over the optimum time, this combination sure have burst onto the 5* scene with a bang. They started off on a score of 36.8 in the dressage and come into today in a podium place alongside two of eventing’s big stars. They’re 4.2 points behind William and have only two seconds in hand over fourth place.

4️⃣ 🇬🇧 Putting their Badminton bad luck well and truly in the past, Emily King and Valmy Biats were also amongst the fastest around the track yesterday, adding just 8.8 time faults to their dressage score to come into today on 38. Her mom, who’s won Badminton twice, was delighted to see them through the finish flags, for Emily’s first Badminton completion in five starts. There’s just a pole and a handful of seconds between her and the top of the podium – might we see a second-generation win here this afternoon?

5️⃣ 🇮🇪 Irish speed demon Sarah Ennis flew ‘round the course yesterday with Grantstown Jackson and put down the third quickest time of the day, hopping 37 places up the leaderboard as a result. They’re just 2 points behind Emily going into the show jumping and there’s not a fence separating her from the podium.

There are just three poles and a few seconds separating the top-10 (which doesn’t make us think of Vitali’s show jumping record one bit, not at all), and zero fences between 6th and 10th place, just two seconds. We all know eventing’s a sport in which anything can happen and it sure is going to be exciting to see just how Badminton 2024 plays out as the top-20 competitors take to the ring for the final phase of this awesome event. One thing we do know is that the poles were a-flying in the first session of jumping, with no clears in 17 rounds and only three inside the time. It’s all to play for this afternoon!

🇺🇲 If you’re following the North American camp, best of the US after cross country is Grace Taylor and Game Changer who are currently sitting in 17th, up from 31st after the first phase. They jumped clear across the country, adding 19.2 time penalties to their dressage score of 34.5 and go into today on 54.6. Another clear cross country round for the States came courtesy of Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl who were 24th following yesterday’s competition and jumped earlier on. They completed their Badminton on a score of 73. Cosby Green and Copper Beach also delivered a clear round yesterday, finishing up in 29th going into today. They also had their round in the first session and complete on a score of 102.1. Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSFl did not have the day Boyd would have wanted yesterday – there was an unlucky crossing of tracks added to a glance off, resulting in 60 penalties, which Boyd freely admitted were totally errors on his part and “Thomas was a champion”. Boyd is going for a completion in all seven of the world’s 5*s this week, a feat only achieved by one other rider, Tim Price. He jumped earlier today and has, in fact, achieved this elite challenge. They finished on a score of 122.6.
🇨🇦 Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit have been flying the Maple Leaf this week, making their characteristic climb up the cross country leaderboard yesterday to hop from 67th to 30th. An unlucky 11 penalties for activating a frangible device kept them from leaping even higher. They go into the final phase on a score of 72.9, jumping in this morning’s session and completing their Badminton on 98.1.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

Based on EquiRatings’ stats, William’s favorite for the win this afternoon, and there’s no doubt that he would be a popular winner at what he’s teasing may be his last Badminton, 35 years after his first. Tim is second-favorite, surely due to that show jumping form, but if it’s come good at the right time – as Tim hopes it has – then he’ll be a no less popular winner. The stats say that the champion is sitting somewhere in the top-5, but as we know, it’s not over ‘til the final horse has passed through the finish line.

Here’s a look at the stats of the overnight top five:

I’ll be bringing you live updates of every round, which will begin at 2:55 p.m. BST / 9:55 a.m. EST, 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, although, spoiler alert – I will be revealing the winner.

Click here for all of EN’s Badminton content.

US peeps – I know today is not so much of a dragging yourself/jumping excitedly of bed because it’s Badminton kind of start time, but total props to those Stateside ENers who’ve been here for All. Of. It. And everyone, really. Eventing respect to all.

Let’s find out who’ll win Badminton 2024.
Eyes on, 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] [Timing & Scoring] [Livestream] [Cross Country Course] [EN’s Coverage]

11:00am ET

What. A. Competition.

After all’s said and done, we have new Badminton champions:

1️⃣ 🇳🇿 All hail Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier who’ve delivered the goods and taken the top spot with a score of 43.2.
2️⃣ 🇮🇪 In second – just 2 points behind – we have Irish 5* debutant Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint. What a showing from them.
3️⃣ 🇬🇧 And rounding out the top three, on the same score as Lucy, are Alex Bragg and Quindiva.

Emily King ended up having her first Badminton completion end with a fourth place finish with Valmy Biats.

Tim Price and Vitali ended up in 8th spot, and William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht in 13th.

🇺🇲 Best of the US is Grace Taylor and Game Changer who complete their Badminton in 17th position.

You’ll find the whole scoreboard here.

Truly, these results show what an exciting sport we’re so lucky to be a part of. Fairytale endings for some, disappointment for others, but sportsmanship from start to finish.

And there you have it. Badminton is over, eventing hangovers beckon, and I’m off to rest my now considerably shorter fingers after all this typing. It’s been a blast ENers, thanks for coming along for the ride.

Keep an eye or two out for our full round-up of what’s been a truly magnificent 75th anniversary edition of MARS Badminton Horse Trials. In the meantime, you’ll find all our Badminton blood, sweat and tears right here.

I officially have eventing jet-lag, have eaten nothing but pizza since last Tuesday and can’t remember the last time I wasn’t tapping away at my keyboard. But I’ll do it all over again in a heartbeat. Until next time…

Over and out, and go eventing!

10:58am

Ireland’s Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint have finished 2nd in their first ever 5* on a score of 45.2.

In third is Alex Bragg with Quindiva who has his best 5* finish ever. They land on 45.2.
He’s in third as Lucy was closer to the time on the cross country.

They were also tied after dressage.

More scores/placings coming…

10:55am

She’s had 4 top-10 finishes and has completed at Badminton – now – 17 times.

She’s also taken the trophy at both the British big Bs for Ireland – Burghley in 2010 and Badminton in 2024.

10:54am ET

NEW ZEALAND’S CAROLINE POWELL HAS WON BADMINTON WITH GREENACRES SPECIAL CAVALIER.

10:48am ET

🇳🇿 Tim Price and Vitali

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

📈 Three poles at each of their four 5* runs, and at Tokyo. He did jump clear last time out though. Can he keep those legs out of the way today? That is the big, Badminton-winning, question.

Score after dressage and XC: 31.7
Place: 1

This is it! The final round of Badminton. Will Vitali (finally) pull it out of the bag? Hold your breath…

Tim’s now got two fences in hand.

He’s over the first, and the second. But he takes the third with his back legs. The fourth stays up, and the fifth. They rattle the first part of the treble, but it stays. Another rub at 7, but it stays. Oh no! The first part of the double’s gone. He’s got nothing in hand now. He’s clear through the wide oxer at 10, but it’s all coming apart for Tim also. 11 goes, then 12 and the last. They’re dropped right out. Oh Vitali. Oh Tim.

Tim Price and Vitali finish their Badminton on a score of 51.7.

10:46am ET

🇬🇧 William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 14th Badminton, 2nd Maryland

Rider:
Ridiculously impressive 5⭐ form: Won 5 of the 7 5*s!
🏆 WINS:
Kentucky – 10, 12, 14
Badminton – 04 & 15
Luhmuhlen – 08
Burghley – 94, 02, 05, 07, 08, 11
Pau – 11 & 13

🏸 form: 24 completions on 16 different horses – made his debut in 1989 – 5 Armada Dishes, 2 wins, 3 2nds, 1 3rd

1️⃣ 4 time World No. 1
🔥 5 time Olympian
🗺️ 4 World Championships

🥇🥈🥉World Championships team bronze 2002, 14th individually; team silver 2006, 15th individually; team gold & individual silver 2010; team silver & individual bronze 2014
🥇🥈🥉 European team gold 1995, 5th individually; team gold & individual silver 1997; team gold 2001, 6th individually; team gold 2003, 8th individually; team gold & individual silver 2005; team gold 2009, 4th individually; team bronze 2011, 7th individually; individual bronze 2013; team silver 2015

📈 They lowered one pole at Maryland on their way to 2nd place last year. They had three poles here. It’s a mixed bag in terms of their form – a clear round is not a given here, but the mare does generally keep it to one pole when she does have penalties.

Score after dressage and XC: 33
Place: 2

‘Will-he-won’t-he’ William’s jumping for a 15th 5* win and third time topping the podium here at Badminton. He needs to keep the poles up to keep the pressure on Tim.

The crowd seems to be holding their breath. There’s a tiny tap at the first but it stays, and then she gives the second space to spare. Oh no! The mare’s not high enough at the third and it comes straight down. He gets her back for the oxer at 4 and the green rails at 5 are fine. But then the first part of the treble goes and then the second part of the double at 9 goes. Oh, it’s coming apart. 10 goes, and 11, then 12 and there’s 0.4 time to add also. Oh, what a shame for William. But that’s eventing.

William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht finish their Badminton on a score of 57.4.

10:43am ET

🇮🇪 Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint

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.

Rider:
🐴 Lucy’s a one-horse rider.

📈 Their last six runs look like this: 0 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 4.

Score after dressage and XC: 37.2
Place: 3

OK, here we go – top-3.

Patron Saint’s got lucky Irish clovers on his quarters, let’s hope they do the trick today.

They’re safely over the first and then careful over the second. They’re a bit quick to the third and drift a little right and it drops. They clear the next two and are ultra careful through the treble at 6. This horse is really trying for her. They’re clear through the Liverpool and then over the double really nicely. They rub the wide oxer but it stays, and then the Liverpool at 11 goes. They clear the final two. That slips them behind Caroline, but they’ll finish no worse than 4th or 5th.

Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint finish their Badminton on a score of 45.2.

10:40am ET

🇬🇧 Emily King and Valmy Biats

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.

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

📈 Clear at their two FEI runs this season and one pole at Burghley last year – that broke a streak of four clears, including one at Luhmuhlen. ‘Val’ is the fourth most reliable jumper in the top-20 here today.

Score after dressage and XC: 38
Place: 4

C’mon Emily, we all want to see what your mom does when you complete, or perhaps win!

Emily looks to mean business as she comes in and clears the first. They rub the second though and then the third comes down. That’s a shame. They clear the wide oxer and then the Grand Slam rails at 5, but that white rail in the middle of the triple combination comes down. He looks a little flat over some of these fences. They get things back together and clear the rest. Two down for them and 0.4 of a time penalty. But this is a Badminton completion and that it great.

Emily King and Valmy Biats finish their Badminton on a score of 46.4.

10:37am ET

🇮🇪 Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson

Horse:
5⭐ form: 22nd Pau 23

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 32nd (17) 34th (16) 38th (13)
Pau – 22nd (23)

🏸 form: 3 completions

🥈 World Championships team silver 2018, 5th individually
🔥 Tokyo 2020 Olympics; World Championships 2014 & 2018; European Championships 2013, 2017, 2019, 2023

📈 4 penalties in each of their last three FEI runs, including at Pau last season. Based on this gelding’s form, we’re expecting penalties here today, but he’s most likely to keep it to one pole.

Score after dressage and XC: 40
Place: 5

We’re into the top-5 now!

They get their round underway clear over the first and then are careful over the second. They’re a bit keen at 3 but it stays, but they pay the price at the wide oxer at 4, and then the Grand Slam rails comes down. They’re clear through the triple combination at 7, but then have the second part of the double at 9. 11 goes also. They clear the last two. Five down and 0.4 of a time penalty. That’s been an expensive round, a real shame after such a great showing yesterday.

Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson finish their Badminton on a score of 60.4.

10:34am ET

🇳🇿 Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier

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 has the most Badminton show jumping clears since 2010 in today’s field and ‘Cavvy’ is the third most reliable jumper. This pair were clear at Maryland but lowered two poles here last year. There are many, many more clears on their record than penalties.

Score after dressage and XC: 43.2
Place: 6

They clear the first convincingly and the mare is really giving the fences some air as she clears the next few. She’s ultra careful through the treble combination at 6 and then again at the Liverpool at 7. Her ears are pricked and she’s really working hard. She’s superb through the double, which she takes on a long one. They’re not even close to touching anything. They clear the rest, inside the time. No worse than 6th for them.

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier finish their Badminton on a score of 43.2.

10:31am ET

🇨🇭 Felix Vogg and Cartania

5⭐ form: 15th Badminton 23

🗺️14th World Championships 22; 8th European Championships 21 (very nearly finished on their dressage)

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 6th (19)
Badminton – 15th (23)
Luhmuhlen – 1st (22)

🏸 form: Made his Badminton debut last year.

🔥 Tokyo 2020; Rio 2016
🗺️ 14th World Championships 2022; 8th European Championships 2021

📈 Three poles here last season, but that’s the most they’ve had since 2020. They’ve got plenty of clears on their record and more often than not keep it to one pole when they do have penalties.

Score after dressage and XC: 43.4
Place: 7

Felix gets off to a great start with a super shot over the first fence and then the second. The mare doesn’t respect the third and jumps straight through that top rail. They have the first part of the triple combination at 6 as well, and then things seems to fall apart a bit and they have the Liverpool at 7 also. They get back together and are clear through the double, and then the final line gives them no trouble. Three down for them – Alex Bragg is on the climb.

Felix Vogg and Cartania finish their Badminton on a score of 55.4.

10:29am ET

🇬🇧 Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift

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

📈 According to EquiRatings, this is the most reliable show jumper in the field. They’ve had a single pole in twelve FEI runs since 2020.

Score after dressage and XC: 44.4
Place: 8

Ah, this pair have the first down – it’s right by the grandstand. They’re extra careful over the second though and then clear the next couple. The horse is great through the triple combination at 6 and is really giving the fences a lot of space, he’s really trying hard after that early mistake. The double is easy for him and then they’re clear to the final line. 12 is no bother, and they clear the last. One down for them, putting them behind Alex, but they’re top-10.

Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift finish their Badminton on a score of 48.4.

10:26am ET

🇬🇧 Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick

5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Pau last season and finished 11th.

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

📈 Five down at Pau last season, breaking a streak of five clear rounds. They were clear in their one FEI run this season.

Score after dressage and XC: 45.1
Place: 9

Pippa looks to mean business as she salutes to the judges. They’re very careful over the first and have a huge jump over the second. They make nothing of the tricky line to the third and clear the wide oxer at 4. She clears the Grand Slam fence at 5 and then Pippa rides for everything through the treble at 6. The double’s no trouble for them either. Pippa’s cutting the corners keeping the time in mind, but then have the Liverpool at 11 down and then the planks at 12. They clear the last. That’s two down for them, moving Alex, Jonelle and Tom up.

Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick finish their Badminton on a score of 53.1.

10:23am ET

🇬🇧 Alexander Bragg and Quindiva

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.

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.

📈 EquiRatings have ‘Diva’ down as the second most reliable show jumper in the field – there’s nary a pole on her record since 2019.

Score after dressage and XC: 45.2
Place: 10

We’re into the top-10 now!

Alex came into this phase on the same score as Jonelle, but nabbed the final spot in the top-10 because he was slightly quicker yesterday, and therefore picked up less cross country penalties.

Diva looks ready as they canter round towards the first. They’re class over the first and clear the second with a lovely big jump. They’re a little close to three but clear it no problem. He’s good over the green rails at 5 and then he rides brilliantly through the treble at 6. They get a great shot to the triple bar and then balance for the double and clear it. This is a really confident round. Alex is getting his best finishing score – he’s holding on to top-10. He’s delighted. Super clear round for them.

Alexander Bragg and Quindiva finish their Badminton on a score of 45.2.

10:20am ET

🇳🇿 Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera

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

📈 Clear on her way to winning Pau in 2022.

Score after dressage and XC: 45.2
Place: 11

Jonelle takes her time to make sure this mare is ready before she sets off. They’re clear over the first three and then make a great turn after the wide oxer at 4. They take the white rails at the middle element of the treble, after clipping the first element but it stayed in the cups. They’re good up to the planks at the second last, which they rub but it stays. They clear the last. Just one rail for them, and they’re just inside the time.

Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera finish their Badminton on a score of 49.2.

10:17am ET

🇳🇿 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.

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

📈 His form’s a bit of a mixed bag, but he for sure can go clear on his day. His last five runs look like this: 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0.

Score after dressage and XC: 46.5
Place: 12

Jesse’s mom must be so happy that she decided to get that last minute flight from New Zealand to see Jesse compete at Badminton in person.

They take a chance at the first but it stays up, and then give the second plenty of space. They’re good over 3 and 4. They come round for the green rails of the Grand Slam fence and then are super through the triple combination. They run slightly into the Liverpool at 7 and take that, then make a real mistake at the wide oxer at 10. They finish up with 3 down, inside the time.

Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte finish their Badminton on a score of 58.5.

10:14am ET

🇬🇧 Tom Rowland and Dreamliner

5⭐ form: 12th Luhmuhlen 22 (with Oliver Townend)

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 19th (23) 46th (22) 36th (19)
Burghley – 27th (18)
Pau – 21st (23)

🏸 form: 3 completions from 3 starts

📈 Two clears thus far this season, and two clears to end last season. Prior to that, a few faults throughout his form.

Score after dressage and XC: 49.3
Place: 13

Tom and ‘Dreamy’ are very high over the first and then make the second look tiny. They’re good for the distance to 3 and he gives a lot of air to the wide oxer at 4. The green rails at 5 don’t bother them and they’re clear through the treble. Dreamy’s really responding to Tom, who’s really riding this positively and accurately. They’re clear up to the planks at the second last, and then clear over the last. Clear jumping and 0.8 time. They’ll be 13th at worst. They get a huge cheer as they finish.

Tom Rowland and Dreamliner finish their Badminton on a score of 50.1.

10:12am ET

🇬🇧 Wills Oakden and Arklow Puissance

Horse: Made his 5* debut at Pau last season but retired after a 20 out on cross country.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 12th (23) 25th (19)
Burghley – 5th & 8th (23) 13th (22)

🏸 form: 3 starts, 2 completions

📈 Dropped one pole at Burghley last season. His form in his four runs before that looks like this: 8 | 0 | 8 | 4.

Score after dressage and XC: 51.8
Place: 14

Wills and ‘Mr P’ look good over the first and make a very tidy turn to the second, which he’s really careful over. 3 is no trouble and he puts in another massive jump over the wide oxer at 4. Unfortunately they take the white upright rails in the middle of the treble combination at 7. They jump the Liverpool and then are clear through the double. They’re super down the line through 10 and 11, rub the last, but it stays. One down for them, no time.

Wills Oakden and Arklow Puissance finish their Badminton on a score of 55.8.

10:09am ET

🇬🇧 Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight

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.

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

📈 Gemma has the second most Badminton show jumping clears since 2010 in today’s field. She’s also no stranger in the pure show jumping ring and has competed in the Hickstead Derby and the Puissance at London International. This horse jumped clear at both of his FEI runs this season, but prior to this year does have a smattering of faults in his form.

Score after dressage and XC: 53.9
Place: 15

Gemma came into this phase on the same score as Bubby, but a place ahead because her overall cross country penalties were a few points less than Bubby’s.

Gemma looks right at home in the show jumping ring. Chilli Knight looks great too. They absolutely leap the first and he’s very careful over the second and third. He’s jumping his socks off over these fences so far. They clear the green rails at 5 and Gemma’s clicking as they make their way through the treble. They veer a little left over the Liverpool at 7 but it stays, but then the first part of the double goes. She brushes the wide oxer but it doesn’t come down and finish up the rest of the course without problem. That drops her behind Bubby, but she’ll finish no worse than 16th.

Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight finish their Badminton on a score of 57.9.

10:06am ET

🇬🇧 Bubby Upton and Cola

Horse:
5⭐ form
2023 – 8th Badminton
2022 – 36th Badminton, 14th Burghley
2021 – 12th Pau

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 8th (23) 36th (22)
Burghley – 14t (22)
Pau – 6th (22) 12th (21)

🏸 form: 2 completions – 8th last year

🏆 British Under-25 Champion 21 & 23

📈 Two poles here last year but clear at their season opener in the 4*-S at Kronenberg on the way to 2nd place.

Score after dressage and XC: 53.9
Place: 16

Excuse me a minute while I have a little blub for Bubby. It’s been an emotional comeback for this determined young lady and, although we were hoping for a fairytale podium finish after they danced their way into second after the dressage, we’re all so delighted to see her here, at the top of the sport and completing Badminton.

There’s an extra loud clap for Bubby as she comes into the ring. The bell goes and she gets a perfect shot to the first. Cola’s got his ears pricked as he flies the second and the third and fourth are no problem either. They easily clear the Rolex rails at 5, brush the first part of the treble but it stays, and then sail over the Liverpool at 7. They have a massive jumper over the wide oxer at 10 and Cola really shows he knows his job through the double. The last three are no trouble either and the crowd erupts. Clear inside the time. Bubby’s crying and pointing to Cola. What a horse. And what a girl.

Bubby Upton and Cola finish their Badminton on a score of 53.9.

10:03am 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.

Rider: Made her 5* debut alongside Game Changer at Burghley.

🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut.

📈 Generally more faults than clears, although they can keep the poles up on their day. Their last five runs look like this – 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 12.

Score after dressage and XC: 54.6
Place: 17

Grace gets her final phase of Badminton underway. She takes her time circling before she starts and must use all of her time up. It’s worth it as they clear the first really convincingly. There’s a little rub at the second but they manage the tricky distance to the third and clear it. They’re clear through the treble at 6, have another rub at 7 but they’re lucky and it stays up. They’re good through the double but the wide oxer at 10 goes and then the Liverpool at 11 also. That’s two down and no time for them.

Grace Taylor and Game Changer finish their Badminton on a score of 62.6.

10am ET

🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Away Cruising

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 16th Badminton, 27th Burghley
2022 – 29th Badminton
2018 – 16th Badminton, 6th Burghley
2017 – 14th Luhmuhlen, 15th Burghley

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 5th (21)
Badminton – 16th (23) 16th (18) 3rd (14) 10th (09)
Luhmuhlen – 5th (23)
Burghley – 3rd (23) 6th (18) 15th (17)
Maryland – 7th (22)
Pau – 24th (22)

🏸 form: 12 completions, 6 top-20 finishes, 2 Armada Dishes

5️⃣ World No. 5
🥈 World Championships team silver 2014

📈 Clear at Burghley last season but three down here last year.

Score after dressage and XC: 55
Place: 18

Harry and ‘Spot’ start their round off with a tiny tap on the first fence, but it stays and they give the second more space. They don’t manage the difficult distance to the third an it goes. They’re clear through the treble at 6 but make a real mistake at the Liverpool as Spot seems to look into the tray. They have the first part of the double at 9 also. The rest of the course gives them no bother though, although get 0.8 of a time penalty.

Harry Meade and Away Cruising finish their Badminton on a score of 67.8.

9:57am ET

🇬🇧 Zara Tindall and Class Affair

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 15th Kentucky
2021 – 30th Maryland

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 15th (23) 3rd (17)
Badminton – 23rd (16) 16th & 19th (08)
Luhmuhlen – 2nd (13)
Maryland – 30th (23)

🏸 form: 8 starts, 4 completions

🏆 World Champion 2006; European Champion 2005
🔥 Olympic team silver London 2012, 8th individually
🥈 World Championship team silver 2014
🥇 European team gold 2005

📈 On a streak of four clears, but there are penalties scattered throughout their show jumping form. ‘Socks’ is still the fifth most reliable show jumper in the top-20 here today.

Score after dressage and XC: 55.6
Place: 19

Zara and Socks clear the first and then the second and the third. The next few are fine but there’s a rub on the first element of the triple combination but it stays. They good over the Liverpool at 7 but then the first part of the double goes. They have another rub at the Liverpool at 11, but they’re lucky again. They clear the final two and finish inside the time.

Zara Tindall and Class Affair finish their Badminton on a score of 59.6.

9:55am ET

🇬🇧 Rosie Bradely Hole and Romantic

Horse:
5⭐ first-timer
Recent form: 3rd in the 4*-L at Blair Castle last fall.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: 47th Badminton 22

🏸 form: Completed on her debut in 2022.

📈 One fence in eight FEI runs since the fall of 2021.

Score after dressage and XC: 56.4
Place: 20

Getting the afternoon’s sport underway, Rosie and Romantic enter the ring and get their show jumping round off to a great start. They clear the first four very convincingly and the Rolex Grand Slam at 5 is no trouble for them either. Ah, the first part of the treble combination at 6 goes, but they clear the rest. The Liverpool’s fine for them, and they’re clear through the double. They’re good for the second Liverpool at 11, but unfortunately have the second last down. They clear the last and finish inside the time.

Rosie Bradely Hole and Romantic finish their Badminton on a score of 64.4.

9:50am ET

This is it ENers! Buckle up, we’re in for an exciting ride. First horse incoming in around 5 minutes! Don’t forget to keep this page refreshed as we moved through the top-20 rounds.

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It’s Satur-yay! Butts On Seats and Buckle Up – Live Blog from Cross Country Day at MARS Badminton Horse Trials

Please Note: Refresh this page often for the latest updates.

Here we go ENers. It’s cross country day and… the weather’s holding up. All hail the British weather for Badminton weekend. Although, we may be complaining about the heat as the day progresses…

We’re in the thick of the competition now, with two days of dressage behind us and a clubhouse leaderboard to peruse. Here’s how things are shaping up so far at the 75th 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.

The scores are really tight, right the way from the top to the bottom of the table, so every second will really count out on course today.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

Here are the links you need to catch up on all that went down in the dressage:

Dressage Day One:
▶️ [Test-by-test reports]
▶️ [Morning round-up]
▶️ [Afternoon round-up]

Dressage Day Two:

▶️[Test-by-test reports]
▶️ [Morning round-up]
▶️ [Afternoon round-up]

And now we turn out attention to The. Best. Day. Cross country day.

You can follow along with the form as you enjoy all the country action with EN’s epic Form Guide, which you’ll find right here.

While you’re eagerly awaiting the first countdown of the day, check out what the runners and riders will be facing as they thunder along the track, in our course preview here, and if you want to know the riders’ thoughts on this year’s cross country offering, we’ve wrangled them together and given them to you here.

And when you’re done with all that, feast your eyes on all of EN’s Badminton content and mosey on along to our IG account @goeventing.

Sally Spickard will get things going with live updates from the cross country and then Cheg Darlington will take over later – EN’s here 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 ⬆️.

It’s here. It’s the best day.
I’m not going to shout-out the superfans in the States today because of course you’ve got up while it’s still dark to follow along – it’s cross country day.
Refresh, refresh, refresh – 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 so cross country day draws to a close at the 75th anniversary edition of MARS Badminton Horse Trials. What a fitting celebration of sport it’s been. We’ve had tears and cheers and everything in between. Best of all, we’ve seen true athletes at the top of their game, galloping and jumping and showing the world what a wonderful sport we’re so lucky to be a part of.

The clubhouse leaderboard as we head into the finale looks like this:

1️⃣ Heading the charge and hoping to stay there is Kiwi Tim Price with Vitali on a score of 31.7.
2️⃣ Not a show jump behind is Great Britain’s – William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht on 33.
3️⃣ And topping off the podium places as things stand is 5* rookie combination, Ireland’s Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint on 37.2.

Best of the US is Grace Taylor and Game Changer – they’re in 19th on a score of 54.6.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

Tomorrow we’ll know who will take the Badminton crown. Will there be a scuffle on the scoreboard? Where will your favorites end up? It’s all to play for as the final day beckons.

I’ll be back for every single fence in the finale of the show jumping with live updates as the top 20 take to the ring to wrap up MARS Badminton Horse Trials 2024 – don’t miss it!

We’ll have a full round-up of all of today’s competition for you – Tilly’s pounding the keys as we speak – eyes on EN for that, coming soon.

In the meantime, click here for all the Badminton content you can handle.

Until tomorrow ENers, rest easy, and go eventing.

11:23am ET Pippa squeaks her way through the three angled hedges at 28 and then rattles the white gate at 29. They fly the last combination, and then the second last. She comes into the Main Arena and the crowd are cheering. They clear the last and come through the finish. What a round to wrap up the day’s sport. Such a treat. Maverick looks very pleased with himself, and so he should be. That was a great round from both horse and rider. What a day. What a sport.

11:21am ET Ooo, they land steep after the Vicarage Vee and Pippa’s pitched forward. She looks to lose a stirrup. But she’s back straight away and kicking on.

11:18am ET Tom chooses to do the two uprights at 27 rather than take the maximum spread table. Capels Hollows Drift looks a tad tired, but he’s jumping cleanly. There’s a huge cheer as he comes into the Main Arena and clears the last. Pippa’s the only one out on course now. She’s 10 seconds down at Sustainability Bay and chooses to turn back to the massive tree with roots she didn’t like the look of – but it’s easy for her and they gallop on. They’re clear through the sunken road at 20 – it’s been a real question for a lot of people but Pippa makes it happen and hunts her way through.

11:16am ET Pippa’s at the Lake at 10. She drops in and sees her distance a mile off. She gives us a lesson through there. Tom and Capels Hollow Drift are through the Mound at 26 and are on their way home. Pippa is flying, meanwhile. The dogs are already swimming in the lake now that Pippa’s been through that section of the course! She leaps off the broken bridge at 13 and comes to the tricky combination at 15. She holds her line beautifully. Wow, she’s riding super. What a star she is.

11:13am ET The final pair of the day are being counted down and are on their way! They could go onto the podium if they’re quick and clear.

🇬🇧 Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick. This gelding made his 5* debut at Pau last season and finished just outside the top-10. He’s a relatively new ride for Pippa, who took over the reins for last season. Since then he’s had nary a XC jumping penalty in 7 FEI runs and on his day, he’s no slouch either. Pippa is a 3-time Badminton winner and winner of the Rolex Grand Slam – she’s always one to watch 👀

We see them clear the first few fences and Maverick looks to be very keen. Caroline’s at the white gate close to the end of the course. She sets up for the two open parallel rails and Cav’s got her ears pricked and looks to have plenty left in the tank. She’s not quick enough to go ahead of Tim Price though. She clears the last and crosses the line 33 seconds over the time.

11:11am ET Caroline’s at the brush-ditch-brush at 15. There’s a bit of fancy footwork but they make their way through no problem. We catch up with Tom Rowland who’s come to a grinding halt at the step down at 26. He turns and canters back up but KND Steel Pulse says no thanks. It’s the end to their day as they’re eliminated. Caroline’s at the water at 17 and decides to take the time to turn before the massive tree at 18. Meanwhile, we have a new starter on course:

🇬🇧 Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift are now out on course. Just one more combination to go after this. This horse stepped up to the level here in 2022 and finished 16th, jumping clear across the country and adding just 10 time penalties. Later that year he was runner-up at Burghley where he added just 3.6 XC time penalties to his score across the entire competition. They came here last year and were 5th, delivering another impressive cross country round. He’s a great jumper – amongst the most reliable in the field according to EquiRatings – and quick. This is one to watch, right here 👀

They’re brilliantly through Huntsman’s at 7 and well on their way.

11:07am ET Alex Bragg is just telling Clare Balding how emotional he was as he crossed the finish line. What a very cool sport this is. Meanwhile, we have this lady out on course – who could go into the lead:

🇳🇿 Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier have left the start box. We’re down to our final three to go. This mare was 30th here last year, with 40 XC jumping penalties on her card. There are plenty of clears on there too though, including at Pau in 2022 where she finished 5th, and Maryland last year where she was 6th. Caroline has 16 Badminton completions under her belt and a Burghley win – in 2010 with the late, great Lenamore.

Oh no! Wills and A Class Cooley have parted company. I didn’t quite catch which fence it was sorry. That’s a shame as they were going beautifully. Things just went arwy slightly and Wills was catapulted out the front door. He looked to get straight up, no real damage done, just an end to their competition.

We have another combination on course:

🇬🇧 Tom Rowland and KND Steel Pulse are on track. This gelding made his 5* debut at Pau last year and finished 21st with a clear round on the cross country. Tom has 3 Badminton starts and has 3 completions under his belt – he was 19th last year. He’s a total Badminton fanatic – first visiting the event when he was just 11 months old! (As a spectator, not to ride.) He can name every Badminton winner.

We didn’t see much of the start of his round, and unfortunately we pick him up having trouble at the sunken road at 20. They come back round and continue on towards the Vicarage Vee.

11:03am ET Wills has made his way smoothly through the brush-ditch-brush at 15 and has popped the brush oxer at 16. They’re headed to the water at Sustainability Bay now. They pop down and then decide to turn before the enormous tree with roots at 18 – no problems there for them. He comes to the tricky terrain through the sunken road at 20 and are very bold through there. They tap the rail at 21 and we hear the clip rattle but there’s no problem at all and they continue on to the Vicarage Vee.

10:58am ET We have a new starter on course:

🇬🇧 Wills Oakden and A Class Cooley are with us on course now. We’re into our final five rounds of the day now. ‘Felix’ made his 5* debut at Pau last season but retired after a 20 out on cross country. There’s just one other 20 on his record in 14 FEI competitions and some good form at the 4*’L level with a win at Blair Castle last year and 2nd at Ballindenisk. Will’s got a 12th place here under his belt from last year and was 25th in 2029.

We catch up with them coming into the Lake at 10. He balances on the way in and is positive to the corner. Everything comes up beautifully for them and they’re excellent through there. We’re hearing that Gemma will be contesting the 15 penalties she was given for the flag at the C element of Huntsman’s Close – Fence 7.

10:53am ET Libby Seed comes through the finish line to huge cheers from the crowd. Laura and Hester are at the Lake. The mare has a little look at the water and jumps up high over the first element. Laura’s sitting up and making this combination happen. There’s a huge leap over the middle element – Laura’s back in her stirrups and locking on, and Hester’s responding. She makes the final element happen too and that is cross country riding at it’s best. But oh no! We see them at the combination at 15 and Hester looks right into that massive open ditch at the B element. She stops and Laura puts her hand up. This is a 5* first timer and will have learned a lot from her trip here this week, regardless of it ending early. Unfortunately we haven’t seen much of Alex until he comes through the finish. He’s punching the air and the crowd are cheering. This must have been an excellent round, and it’s really quite quick. He’s gone into 7th.

10:50am ET We haven’t seen much of Libby’s round sorry. We join her now as they come to the Vicarage Vee. There’s elbows and heels going and they fly it. They look to be having a really fun round together. They drop bravely off the Mound at 26 and are galloping toward home.

Meanwhile:

🇬🇧 Alexander Bragg and Quindiva are underway. ‘Diva’ made her 5* debut here at Badminton last year, but like a few 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, jumping clear across the country and adding just 14 XC time penalties to their score across the competition. Alex has made 6 starts at Badminton since his debut in 2017.

Alex is through the water at 17. He makes a really tight turn round to 18 – probably the neatest we’ve seen all day. Not much time wasted there.

And so is:

🇬🇧 Laura Collett and Hester. We’re into the two horse riders now. Hester’s a 5* first-timer, although Laura’s no rookie – she won the whole dang thing with London 53 in 2022, one of 3 5* wins on her card. 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. Since then, she’s added no XC jumping penalties to her record and has proven to have a swift turn of foot too. This pair could very well be ones to watch 👀

They’re at Huntsman’s when we pick them up and it’s beautifully ridden by Laura through there. Really convincing and that’ll give her confidence.

10:45am ET Gemma is growling her way round the track, she’s really riding with determination. We’re hearing news that she has been given the 15 penalties for the flag at Huntsman’s. Chilli Knight is still pulling as they come to the three angled brushes at 28ABC. They come to the white rails and jump that really cleanly and Gemma’s using her voice over the two big open oxers at 30. Just two fences left now. They gallop over the second last, come into the Main Arena and clear the last. Her arm’s in the air, she’s patting her boy. She won’t be aware of the time penalties, and there may well be a review of them. We’ll have to wait for the live scoreboard to be updated, possibly later. Only Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier can go ahead of Tim Price now.

10:41am ET I’m sorry, I seem to have missed that Lauren Innes had started. Here’s a look at their form coming into Badminton:

🇳🇿 Lauren Innes and Global Fision M. ‘Flipper’ finished 24th at both Badminton and Burghley last season, jumping clear across the country at both the British 5* offerings. Since 2020, he’s added XC jumping penalties to his card just once. Lauren’s an amateur rider and full-time accountant. Flipper’s her only upper-level horse and spends his days in the field while Lauren’s at work. The pair have two Badminton completions under their belt, and are looking to make it a third here this week.

Also on track:

🇬🇧 Libby Seed and Heartbreaker Star Quality are now out on course. This mare made her 5* debut at Badminton in 2022 and finished 28th. She came back for another go at the level at Pau last year and finished 14th. In 24 FEI runs she’s completed in all but one of them and jumped clear cross country in all but one. Libby’s an amateur eventer with just one horse in her string – in her real life she’s a full-time accounts manager.

Gemma is flying! She’s cleared the ditch and brush at 19. Meanwhile, Lauren’s actually nearing the end of the course. She’s pushing and riding really confidently up to the final few. They fly over the last fence and Lauren pumps her fist – Badminton cross country completed. Great work.

10:40am ET We have a new starter:

🇬🇧 Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight have got their Badminton cross country underway. This guy made his 5* debut at Pau in 2019 but was withdrawn before the second Horse Inspection. He came back out after/during the Covid hiatus and won the pop-up 5* at Bicton in 2021, where they finished on their dressage. He’s back at 5* for the first time since then. Badminton’s in his blood though, for sure – his 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 been clear XC jumping in each of his runs since Pau and had no faults on his card before that – that’s 27 runs without a single jumping penalty. He’s also speedy – amongst the very fastest horses in the field according to EquiRatings – Blink and you’ll miss ‘em! Eyes on this one 👀

We see them at Huntsman’s and they squeak through the flags at the C element. That may be reviewed. Chilli Knight really showed he’s a horse that’s desperate to get through the flags – red on the right… Meanwhile Selina’s had a problem at the Mound at 26. She made it down the A element but then came to a halt at the narrow brush after it.

10:33am ET Selina clears the Lake complex at 10 and then gallops the waterfall fence. They look to be going really well. Helen has a save of the day when Diego leaps off the step at 26. She’s thrown forward but sits up. Unfortunately there’s no way she hasn’t crossed her tracks from the position she ended up in. That’s a shame as they were going really confidently. Meanwhile, Selina’s at Sustainability Bay (17). They make a bold leap down the step into the water and then are very clearly going the long route to 18. They circle, come round and make a very nice jump over the tree. Helen and Diego are nearing home now. They’re quite a bit over the time after those problems at the Mound. They have a great jump over the second last and Diego fights for his head into the last, they get close but they’re over and through the finish – she’s delighted with her horse, who looks very, very pleased with himself as he trots along taking in the claps and cheers that he’s sure are all for him. Helen won’t mind that.

10:29am ET Daragh’s decided to pull up – not his day today. I have a couple of new starters to update you on:

🇬🇧 Helen Bates and Carpe Diem are up and running. ‘Diego’ made his 5* debut at Pau last season, finishing 23rd and adding only XC time to his dressage score. This guy is a cross country jumping machine, with just a couple of unlucky eliminations on his card due to rider tumbles in 22 FEI competitions. He’s just as clean show jumping too. Helen will be seizing the day as she makes her Badminton debut.

We see her through Huntsman’s and Helen does a great job to keep Diego’s shoulder in to clear the C element. They squeak through and gallop down the track.

And…

🇬🇧 Selina Milnes and Gelmer have got their Badminton cross country underway. Gelmer made his 5* debut at Pau last season but was withdrawn before the show jumping. He picked up 20 out on course there, the first XC jumping penalties on his record. Selina’s finished top-25 here and top-10 at Pau.

Gelmer flies the brush at C and gallop towards the meat of the course.

10:26am ET Tim isn’t far off the time. He flies the white gate at 29 – gets the perfect shot – and then he sets up for the wide open rails at the final combination. 20 seconds to get home. He’s careful at the second last and then pushes on. They come into the Main Arena and are into time. They clear the last and stop the clock. Tim punches the air. They’ve gone into the lead! The team are running beside them and there’s a huge cheer from the crowd. Just 4 penalties for them. A superb round.

We have a new starter on course:

🇮🇪 Daragh Byrne and Kilcannon Ramiro are away. This pair made their 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. The form suggests that this is a horse who is well capable of producing a clear round cross country, and he’s no slow poke. But a completion will be what Daragh’s looking for today, so we hope the luck of the Irish is shining on them as they make their Badminton debut.

Unfortunately we see them having a problem at 15, just run past the hedge at the C element. They come back round and continue on.

10:23am ET We’re seeing Holly Richardson being pulled up close to home. It seems that they’ve missed a fence out. That’s really disappointing for them.

10:18am ET Emily’s taking no chances as she comes to the final few fences – she’s being very precise in her presentation to each fence. They’re over the double at 30, they’re close to the time but they’re not going to make it. It turns red as she approaches the second last. She gallops into the Main Arena and clears the Mars M – she’s beaming, so delighted, big pats for Valmy. What a super round – clear with just a few time penalties and slides into 3rd as things stand.

Meanwhile, Vitali’s got his feet wet at Fence 9 and now comes round for the Lake combination. He rattles the palisade but it’s up, they get on their line and are through – a riding lesson from Tim right there. He’s super focused and Vitali is too. They look like they’ve got their eye on the prize. Oh no! Holly and Louis have a problem at the sunken road – a fly past by the looks of it. She comes round and jumps it on the second time of asking.. Tim’s dropping down into the pond at Sustainability Bay (17) and he goes straight towards that tree and are smoothly through – no time wasted there. He chooses to go round the tree to keep straight towards the narrow element into the sunken road complex at 20. They’re perfect through there.

10:12am ET Emily’s really in a great rhythm and riding brilliantly. She soars over the triple bar at 14 and she really rides forward through the brush-ditch-brush combination and it comes up beautifully for them.

She’s joined on course by:

🇬🇧 Holly Richardson and Bally Louis. This pair made their 5* debut at Burghley last year and jumped a super clear round cross country to finish just outside the top-20. The didn’t have a single XC jumping penalty last season.

Emily’s going long between 17 and 18 – the Sustainability Bay complex and the big tree. She circles smoothly and they fly over the log and gallop on. Holly’s at Huntsman’s when we pick her up (7). She takes the flag at the C element but are safely through. Valmy really comes back to Emily at the rails at 21 and jumps it very cleanly. The Vicarage Vee is very easy for this horse – what’s all the fuss about? he says. They trot into the steep drop down at 26, she needed to really because he’s such a bold horse. They gallop on towards the finish.

We have a new starter, who’s very important in terms of the leaderboard – he could go into the lead:

🇳🇿 Tim Price and Vitali are out on track. This talented gelding broke all kinds of records in the dressage arena at Burghley last year, then jumped clear cross country with just 8 time faults to finish 5th. They were 7th here at Badminton, with another cross country clear – in fact there’s just a single 20 on this guy’s record, way back in 2017 at his first FEI event. EquiRatings rank him as the second most reliable cross country jumper in the field and he’s second favorite for the win. He’s swift across the ground too, with time penalties generally kept to single figures. As well as last season’s great form, he had a pretty smart 2022 also, with a top-10 finish at Luhmuhlen and a 3rd place at Burghley. The stats on Tim’s 5* successes could take all year to write, so I’ll summarize: all 7 5*s completed, wins in 4 of them and podiums in two of the others. He’s had 9 Badminton starts and 9 completions. Eyes on this one 👀

10:08am ET We pick back up with Jesse as he flies towards the finish. They’re at the second last and are just into time penalties. The horse is really digging deep but Jesse’s riding very sympathetically and has taken his foot right off the gas. They’re not very high over the last, but they’re over and through the finish clear. Meanwhile, Valmy’s got his feet wet at 9 – the log into the lake. They come round to the palisade into the lake proper and he leaves his back legs on it but it doesn’t come down. They clear the wide corner in the water and he doesn’t seem to lock onto the C element, but Emily guides him through.

10:03am ET There’s a new rider on course for the States:

🇺🇲 Alexandra Knowles and Morswood are away. ‘Ginge’ has 3 5* completions under his cinch, with a top-20 place at Pau last season, where he jumped clear cross country, and a top-10 at Maryland in 2022. The pair have made the trip across the Pond to make their Badminton debut here this week.

Unfortunately, they have a very early end to their round though. They don’t make the jump over the corner coming out of Huntsman’s Close (7), it comes down and Allie’s popped out of the tack. Her and Morswood are up and fine, but very frustrating for them.

There’s another new starter:

🇬🇧 Emily King and Valmy Biats have left the start box. This pair put themselves on EquiRatings’ radar as being in with a shot here this week after retaining their Grantham Cup title at Thoresby last month – they’re third favorite for the win. They were 25th at Badminton last year, activating a frangible device on cross country for 11 penalties, and 24th at Luhmuhlen, where they had a 20. But don’t underestimate this truly talented pairing – they do have unlucky blips on their record, but there’s no doubt that their time at the top of the level is a matter of when, not if.

They’re confidently through the quarry and Emily looks to really mean business.

10am ET Gubby’s been so quick up to the water at 17 that he’s really got the luxury of turning a circle before that tree at 18. Meanwhile, Harry and HD Bronze rattle the top rail of the white gate at 29 but it stays up. Gubby’s had a problem at the Vicarage Vee. The horse is backing off a mile away and leaps sideways over the ditch past the fence – Gubby does a great job staying on. They go the long route but oh no! Royal Harvest stops at the top of the step down at 26. That’s a real surprise and shame when their round was looking so confident earlier on. Meanwhile, we have a new starter on course:

🇳🇿 Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte have got their Badminton cross country underway. This gelding made his 5* debut at Pau last season but an uncharacteristic mistake on the cross country means he’s looking for his first completion. He’s a cross country machine usually, with just one 20 on his record in 18 FEI competitions. He’s quick to boot, mostly keeping any time penalties to single figures. Jesse’s got two Badminton completions under his belt, with a top-20 finish here in 2019.

Meanwhile, Harry Mutch and HD Bronze have completed clear. Jesse’s come through Sustainability Bay (17) the best we’ve seen all day – straight through, awesome.

9:56am ET We have another new starter on course:

🇬🇧 Gubby Leach and Royal Harvest have left the start box. It’s a first 5* for Royal Harvest, who seems like a real sweetheart of a horse – Gubby says he’d trust the gelding to give his kids pony rides. Gubby’s back at the level after a bit of a hiatus but has two Burghley completions under his belt. At the 4* level, this horse can be very quick, with 4 finishes on his dressage score on his record. According to EquiRatings he’s amongst the fastest horses in the field. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em!

Meanwhile, Grace and Game Changer have crossed the finish line for the US and gone into 10th. They’ve had a great round, so positive and forward thinking, real cross country riding. Gubby is at the Lake (10) and decides to take the longer route but there’s not much time wasted, and this is a really fast horse. Harry is just at Sustainability Bay – Fence 17. He looks like he’s going for the straight route, but then doesn’t. He circles round and clears it no problem. We’re not sure he presented at the fence, he certainly didn’t yell ‘long’ like a lot of the earlier riders were doing. We’ll have to wait and see what the judges thought of that. He makes his way to the Mound and HD Bronze is very brave at the step down – he just canters off the end. They’re on their way home now.

9:53am ET Grace is really working hard but it having a great round – they’re safely through the sunken road at 20. Meanwhile we have a new starter:

🇬🇧 Harry Mutch and HD Bronze are now out on course. This pair completed on their debut at the level here in 2019 and are back for the first time since then. Since Harry took on the ride in 2015, they’ve been placed at every level bar 5*. They completed at the pop-up 5* at Bicton in 2021 and have had two Burghley starts since then, but are looking for everything to come together for them here today to add second 5* completion to their record.

We pick them up at the Lake and this is a big horse for Harry to navigate through those distances but it actually comes up nicely for them. He stands off the waterfall fence at 11 and they gallop on down the track. Ooo, there’s a little dog making a bit of a play as Grace makes her way homeward, but all’s well. She’s over the white gate at 29 and she’s almost at the finish flags.

9:48am ET The next US rider has got their Badminton cross country underway:

🇺🇲 Grace Taylor and Game Changer are underway. This pair made their 5* debut at Burghley last season and jumped clear cross country but withdrew before the show jumping. There’s a whole host of XC clear form on their card and eventing is truly in Grace’s genes – her mom represented the US at the 1988 Olympics and was later team selector and chef d’equipe for USEF and her dad represented Britain at the European and World Championships. Grace is treading in their footsteps as she makes her Badminton debut – both her mom and dad competed here, plus a number of other family members – as she’s just explained to Claire Balding in her interview.

She sets out very positively, looking very confident. We pick them up at the Lake at 10. They get a great shot in, really bold, and they pick up that corner at B straight away, Grace kicks on and makes it all happen – super cross country riding. Oooo! Game Changer makes a huge leap over the open ditch in the middle of the combination at 15! Grace sits back, turns for the angled hedge at C and they cat leap that too. They come to the water at 17AB and they drop down into the water then Grace chooses to go right round the back of the rooted tree at 18 to circle back round to it – no penalties there, the fence is separately numbered, just quite a bit of time taken.

9:43am We have a new starter on course:

🇬🇧 Felicity Collins and RHS Contend OR have left the start box. They made their Badminton debut in 2022 and jumped clear across the country to finish just outside the top-20. They came back last year but an unfortunate tumble out on course meant their competition ended early. There are plenty of XC clears on their record and this is a fast combination, generally keeping time penalties to single figures.

We pick them up at Huntsman’s Close (7) and they demolish the C element – the whole fence is clipped from different sides/angles/you name it. Everyone’s fine, it just looked dramatic seeing a cross country fence collapse, but it does seem as though she’s decided to call it a day.

9:35am ET We’ve just had a look at current leader Ros Canter in the warm up as she prepares to start her round. Meanwhile, Lucy’s all the way to the Vicarage Vee and appears to be having a great first Badminton, and first 5*! They’re flying round this super challenging track. They make very light work of the Mound at 26 and are on their way home.

The overnight leader is starting her round:

🇬🇧 Rosalind Canter and Izilot DHI are with us on course now. The reigning champ and World No. 2 is here to defend her crown, this time with quirky Izilot DHI, who came out at his first 5* last season at Pau and smashed it out of the park for the win. Last season he had three wins, a second and a 4th on his card, and he’s come out this year in similar form. He’s proved he can jump clear without question around the top level, and he’s got the speed to match his jumping ability. This is an exciting one for sure – EquiRatings have them down as favorites for the win – eyes on 👀

Ros gets off to a really confident start with ‘Isaac’. He looks settled and keen to get on with his job. We pick them up at Fence 4 – the Quarry – and they make this early combination look very easy. Meanwhile, Lucy Latta – 5* debutant – has finished just 1 second over the time! A rookie combination shows us all how it’s done! What a superb performance from both horse and rider. Good for them. She gives her horse a huge pat. What a day for her! Congratulations coming in from her whole team. Meanwhile, Ros and Isaac are coming towards the Lake at 10. Isaac spooks at another fence as he gallops along the side of the lake, but Ros pushes him on. Oh no! The first part of the combination comes down – it’s a deforming fence – he saw the water at the last second and drops his back legs on it and down it comes. And then they have a run past as the B element – he spooked at the fence decoration and it took his eye off the fence. They come back round but it’s a green jump, and Ros circles round to finish up with a confidence building jump before putting her hand up. The reigning champion and overnight leader is out.

9:31am ET Luc and Viens du Mont come through the finish and look like they’d have been close to the time if it wasn’t for the problem at the Mound. We catch up with Francis at a real moment at the water at 17. Prince was tricky down the big step in but Francis takes the short route to that big tree with roots at 18. It doesn’t come off for him. Prince climbs all over it, slides off the side really, and stops. Francis puts his hand up.

🇮🇪 Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint have joined us on course. Lucy’s a one-horse rider and the pair are making their 5* debut here at Badminton. She’s got top-level competition in her blood though – her 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. They’re on a streak of 8 XC jumping clears and are pretty speedy. They’re a combination to watch for an exciting future, that’s for sure.

9:25am ET We have another new starter:

🇬🇧 Francis Whittington and DHI Purple Rain have got their Badminton cross country underway. This gorgeous horse was super impressive here last year when he ate up the track in the tough conditions, jumping clear and finishing just outside the top-20. He’s got such an extravagant action you’d be forgiven for thinking the heavy going would have taken it out of him, but ‘Prince’ truly rose to the challenge and shone. He was 19th at Burghley later in the season with another clear XC jumping round, in fact, he has just one 20 on his record in 26 FEI competitions.

Meanwhile, Luc is through the sunken road at 20 and galloping on. Francis and ‘Prince’ are at Huntsman’s Close (7). Francis holds the gelding together really well between the oxer and the first corner but then, ah! Prince doesn’t look where he’s going and they sail past the second corner. That’s a 20 for them. He’s now at the Lake at 10. They drop in and weave their way through – no problems for them there. We pick Luc back up as he has a 20 at the Mound at 26. They’re hesitant off the big step and then miss the narrow tree stump. That’s real disappointing for them, but they come round and make their way through and continue towards home.

9:21am ET We’ve just got Jonelle out on course for a minute. They’re coming towards Fence 31 with time penalties clocking up. They come into the Main Arena and jump the last. There’s time penalties for them – 10.8.

We have a new starter on course:

🇫🇷 Luc Château and Viens du Mont are underway. This gelding made his 5* debut at Pau in 2022, jumped ‘round clear inside the time and came 9th; he came here last year and truly proved his mettle in the tough conditions, finishing just outside the top-10. Burghley wasn’t such a happy hunting ground for them last fall, but that was a blip on an otherwise faultless XC record. This is a proven clear and quick combination – eyes on this one 👀

We pick up Luc at the Lake at Fence 10. They pop in and Luc really drives Viens towards the second element, but then he doesn’t have the stride he wants to C, they’re over and take the flag with them – that’ll be reviewed. On the subject of flags, Jonelle has been given 15 penalties according to the live scoreboard.

9:15am ET Jonelle’s at the combination at 15 and make it look easy. Grappa Nera has a very good look down the step at the Sustainability Bay at 17, but she drops into the water and… take the straight route. Go Jonelle! It’s a tiny bit sticky, but they’re through and on with their round.

🇬🇧 Richard Jones and Alfies Clover are up and running. Fan favorite Alfies Clover is back at Badminton for a 5th time. Richard opted to retire out on course last year due to the tricky ground conditions, in one of the displays of expert horsemanship we saw that day. He was 10th here in 2022 and 7th at Burghley. This is a very reliable XC clear horse and can be relatively speedy. They’ll be a popular combination to cross the finish line – all being well – today.

Arthur and Church’ile are nearing the end of their round, they jump the combination at 30 but then there’s a red flag in front of them. Arthur’s not best pleased, they were very close to the end, but he’s been stopped and that’s the end of their competition. Meanwhile, we have trouble at the Lake (10) for Richard and Alfies Clover. They jump in OK but then Richard seems to take a non-traditional route to the B element and it doesn’t come up for him. They run past and Richard’s hand goes up. A shame for this 5* stalwart horse.

9:12am ET And another combination’s joined us on course:

🇳🇿 Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera are away. This mare made her 5* debut at Kentucky in 2021 and jumped clear with 7.6 time penalties, finishing up in 28th spot. She went to Pau the following season and won, adding just 1.2 time across the country. After sitting out most of last season, she’s back for a Badminton debut. Not so much Jonelle, who’s made 8 starts here over the last two decades, taking the title with another mare, Classic Moet, in 2018. We know Jonelle’s one quick lady across the country, and Grappa Nera’s well-suited to her rider’s speedy ways – this has the potential to be a really exciting round. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em!

We join them at Huntsman’s Close (7), Jonelle goes for the six strides through there and it comes up beautifully for them. Class riding – of course. Oh no, meanwhile Arthur’s had problems at the sunken road at 20. He comes around and weaves his way around the long route in a particularly long fashion. They continue on though and clear the rails at 21. Jonelle’s at the Lake. They’re really confident through there. Jonelle’s needing to slow Grappa Nera down – she’s so bold. Arthur’s now through the mound at 26 and is nearing the end of his round now.

9:07pm ET We have a new starter:

🇫🇷 Arthur Marx and Church’ile are out on track. This family homebred is by the same sire as William Fox-Pitt’s Badminton ride, and last year’s winner Lordships Graffalo. Arthur’s dad rode the gelding’s dam and grand-dam. They made their Badminton debut last year but an unfortunate parting of company out on cross country means they’re looking for their first completion. They were just outside the top-20 at Pau in 2022 at the gelding’s first 5*. This is a speedy pair for sure – blink and you’ll miss ‘em!

We see them go through Huntsman’s Close at 7 and it’s absolutely textbook from horse and rider. They come up to the Lake at 10 and get a good shot in, albeit tapping the top of the wall. No problems for them and Arthur punches the air as they gallop away from that tricky combination. Meanwhile, Louise and Native Spirit are coming to the end of their round. They clear the last. They’ve got 40 jumping penalties and 42.8 time.

9:04am ET Nicky and Bingo Boy rattle the clips on the big open rails at 30AB, but they stay up and they gallop on towards home. They fly the final two and cross the finish line – 9.2 time penalties for them and into 4th on the clubhouse leaderboard. Louise and Native Spirit are carrying that 20 but they look to really be together as they come through the sunken road at 20 – lovely preparation came good across the question. She growls as they fly the Vicarage Vee at 24/25 and they continue on to the Mound, which they drop down well, but then, ah! Native Spirit gallops off and they sail past the skinny at B.

9am ET Hello ENers! Harry and Away Cruising are cruising home now. They gallop into the Main Arena and over the Mars M – they’re 51 seconds over the time. What a horse this is. And he didn’t cross his tracks – so clear jumping for them. Meanwhile Nicky has flown the Vicarage Vee and moves onto that big step down. Louise and Native Spirit go the longer route at the Lake, but have a glance off the the skinny brush at C. She’d lost both her stirrups. But they’re back together now and continue on their way.

8:55 a.m. ET: I’m going to hand things off to my fellow eventing nerd, Cheg Darlington, who will bring us home with the live blog! Thanks for following along with me.

8:55 a.m. ET: Oh no! Away Cruising just gets a little bit stuck, leaving a leg at that tricky raised rail coming down the Lightsource bp Mound and Harry might have crossed his tracks getting to the long route. What a huge bummer after such a great round.

8:53 a.m. ET: Nicky has chosen to go long from the get go at the Huntsmans Close, which does add quite a few seconds but was likely the best choice for MGH Bingo Boy. Harry Meade is going to be another one close to the time if he can stay clear. He’s at the Birch Rails.

8:53 a.m. ET: 🇬🇧 Louise Harwood and Native Spirit will be next to us on course. Louise has 7 Badminton completions under her belt as she comes forward with Native Spirit for the gelding’s third 5* start, looking for his first completion.

Harry has gone straight with Away Cruising at the MARS Sustainability Bay and it pays off in the best way of the three to take this route so far. Beautifully ridden.

8:52 a.m. ET: Very good riding so far on this Badminton track, which is certainly exerting its influence but hasn’t caused me to clutch my non-existent pearls to this point. Here’s hoping the rest of the day continues as such.

8:51 a.m. ET: Harry Meade and Away Cruising are clear through the MARS Badminton Lake.

🇬🇧 Nicky Hill and MGH Bingo Boy have left the start box. This pair were 18th here in 2019 and 20th at Burghley last year, where they jumped clear XC and added 21.6 time penalties. They started at Badminton in 2022 but were carrying a 20 on their card and withdrew after XC.

8:49 a.m. ET: There is just something spectacular about watching a horse dig deep late on course. Copper Beach switches his tail as he clears the final combination and digs in for Cosby — what a horse, man. You’ll remember this horse also went 5* many years ago with Buck Davidson, and now he’s home clear again with about 97 seconds of time.

8:48 a.m. ET: Tiana Coudray shares the story of finding Cancaras Girl on a Facebook post in Scotland. She liked the mare’s breeding but she wasn’t the fanciest horse — Tiana thought she’d make a nice junior horse, so she bought her to sell. “We had really no big expectations of her. Started producing her and she never had a huge result to make her worth big, big money so we just kept going and she just kept climbing the grades,” she said, noting she began to have some “phenomenal” results once she stepped up to 4*. “I always rated her, but we thought this is actually a really good horse. Everything is a work in progress, and her heart and her brain has got her here and — she’s a Badminton horse now, I can’t believe it!”

Cosby and Copper Beach are still strong at the Worcester Avenue Brushes close to home at question 28.

🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Away Cruising, his sole ride left after withdrawing his other two rides, are underway. This stalwart 5* campaigner was 16th here last year and has 7 5* completions under his cinch. It was the shock of the day when he had a glance-off at Burghley last year, the only 20 on his card since way back in 2017 – in fact, in 36 FEI runs he has just three XC jumping penalties and one missed flag on his record. Because of all that, he’s amongst the most reliable cross country jumpers in the field according to EquiRatings. He’s not going to be the fastest horse today, but boy is he dependable, and if you’re looking to watch real pros in action, these guys are your guys. Harry’s got 12 Badminton completions under his belt, with 6 top-20 finishes.

8:45 a.m. ET: Cosby and Copper Beach almost looked like they thought about going direct at MARS Sustainability Bay, but she opts for the long route. She’s prioritizing getting home clear as she’s well down on the time here. Kristina Hall-Jackson and CMS Google have quite a scary moment as CMS Google his the first corner and bounces out of the fallen rails. Kristina then tried to go the final corner and pops off to the left unfortunately. That will be the end of the their day — they’re both looking no worse for the wear. Georgia Bartlett has finished with Spano de Nazca.

8:43 a.m. ET: 🇬🇧 Kristina Hall-Jackson and CMS Google have got their Badminton cross country underway. Officially the best Christmas present ever, ‘Google’ was 29th here last year and 21st at Burghley. The mare’s had green mistakes out on cross country in each of her three 5* runs thus far, but there’s been potential to spare on show and that clear jumping round will come out soon for sure, hopefully today.

8:41 a.m. ET: Helen Martin is working to get Andreas home safely, and he jumps the last well to collect about a minute and a half over time, plus that aggravating 20. Spano de Nazca and Georgia have a hairy moment at the Vicarage Vee that made my heart stop, but they still clear it well.

We haven’t seen her yet, but 🇺🇲 Cosby Green and Copper Beach are with us on course now and clear through fence 12. Cosby made the trip from the US to the UK with three of her horses last year to be based with fellow Badminton competitors Tim and Jonelle Price, making her 5* debut at Pau and finishing 16th. Copper Beach is a former Buck Davidson ride, with whom he was top-10 at Kentucky in 2018. In 17 FEI starts with Cosby, the gelding’s had XC jumping penalties just twice.

8:40 a.m. ET: 🇬🇧 Helen Martin and Andreas are just showing on our screen now. This combination made their 5* debut here last year but an unfortunate tumble out on course means they’re looking for their first completion. This is a local horse and rider – when the wind’s blowing the right direction ‘Alfie’ can smell the Badminton turf. On his day, Alfie’s reasonably quick and has some solid XC clear jumping form behind him. He’s one of the older horses in the field at 18, but he sure doesn’t show any sign of slowing down as he’s reached the pinnacle of the sport.

They have a glance-off at the C element of the Lightsource bp Mound but are clear on the next attempt.

We’re also joined by 🇬🇧 Georgia Bartlett and Spano de Nazcaout on track. This combination made their debut at the level here at Badminton last season but withdrew out on course after a couple of green problems. That’s the only blip on their otherwise clear XC jumping record. They’re a speedy pair too, with time penalties, when there are any, almost always kept to single figures. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em.

8:38 a.m. ET: “I was trying very hard. She’s an amazing mare. She’s just fabulous. She always says yes. [The long route] was my choice. I absolutely knew she was very unlikely to make the time. All the way around I thought she was going so well, I thought you know what this might be my last Badminton, it would be annoying to finish with a hiccup.” — William Fox-Pitt at the finish.

8:36 a.m. ET: Tiana Coudray is still working on a stellar clear and while Cancaras Girl will be well into time — this would likely be according to Tiana’s plan to make this first experience as positive as she can — she is looking very fresh and fit coming home.

8:35 a.m. ET: I’m not crying, you’re crying.

8:33 a.m. ET: Tiana rebalances Cancaras Girl ahead of the Sunken Road and navigates this very neatly. This is a strong round for a first Badminton for this incredible mare.

8:31 a.m. ET: William’s going to be SO close as he enters the main arena. Rosie just picks up 6 seconds of time to put this pair on a 33 overnight. This could be in or very close to the lead based on how the day has gone. What. A. Ride. Please don’t leave us William.

8:30 a.m. ET: Graffenacht navigates the Worcester Avenue Brushes and the The Sound Gates. She and William have about a minute to get home and should be fairly close to the time. Tiana clears the Le Mieux Brushes very nicely.

8:28 a.m. ET: Will is home and celebrates in well-deserved fashion with about a minute of time penalties. William allows Graffenacht to find her way through the Lightsource bp Mound at fence 26. Nearly home now for this pair.

8:26 a.m. ET: William smoothly opts for the long route at the MARS Sustainability Bay, making sure to give his horse as simple of an approach in that energy-sapping circle back to the log. Will Rawling gives Ballycoog Breaker Boy some encouragement as they come toward the final handful of fences. Tiana is clear through fence 8, the Pedigree Kennel. Graffenacht is very catty at the Birch Rails and sails over the righthanded side.

8:26 a.m. ET: William schools us all through the Le Mieux Eyelash Brushes, giving “Rosie” a wonderful ride as he now heads to MARS Sustainability Bay as the next big question.

8:24 a.m. ET: William is riding economically, taking a tighter line in that Badminton Lake combination. Graffenacht should be capable of getting close to the time and this would put this pair into very good standing if they can manage the rest of the way.

🇺🇲 Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl are away. This mare made her 5* debut at Burghley last year but was eliminated on the cross country after Tiana’s air jacket went off during a mishap – and save of the day – early on course. She tried to continue but have you tried breathing in one of those things once it’s inflated?! Fingers crossed everything stays intact for them here today. Before Burghley, Tiana’s last appearance at the level was here in 2014 when she finished 25th.

8:22 a.m. ET: Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy are crawl over the brush at the Le Mieux Eyelashes but are somehow clear. And yes, it looks like Florian was pulled up and subsequently advised not to continue. I think Will’s airvest actually went off at that brush debacle; this is why a lot of these top riders choose not to wear airvests as they are a bit prone to setting off with a defensive distance or a sketchy one. William is clear at the MARS Badminton Lake.

8:20 a.m. ET: Florian Ganneval has been pulled up. They might be working on the Rolex Grand Slam Rails that Wabbit had down, which is the next fence ahead of Florian. The hold, depending on length, may be beneficial for Blue Bird de Beaufour, who was looking slightly tired at the Sunken Road. The challenge of a hold is that the horse could switch off.

[Correction] We incorrectly stated that Florian might have been pulled up due to tiredness; this was not correct as it was judged he had actually not jumped the Vicarage Vee and thus was eliminated.

🇬🇧 William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht are now out on course. This tough mare has a 2nd place at Maryland 5* under her girth and was 14th here last year when she really proved her mettle in tricky conditions. I could try and list William’s 5* form here but it’ll take us to next year’s event so suffice to say, this legend has won 5 of the 7 5*s and has 34 Badminton completions under his belt.

8:17 a.m. ET: Florian Ganneval and Blue Bird de Beaufour navigate the MARS Badminton Lake safely.

“He lived up to his name! He was incredible,” Sarah Ennis says at the finish. “He is a special cross country horse. He’s one of those typically Irish horses…as they learn and progress, they do more and more and more. They do take time to make, when he was 11 we almost gave up with him…he was amazing at Boekelo, so he obviously wanted to do it. He just can’t gallop fast enough, he just wants to go faster and faster. He’s 80 percent blood out of a Thoroughbred dam.” — Sarah Ennis says.

Jessie Phoenix finishes with 54 seconds of time and that unfortunate 11 penalties.

🇬🇧 Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy have left the start box. It’s a 5* debut for this gelding but there’s plenty of clear round form on his card at the lower levels – in fact, there’s 22 XC jumping clears on there. He can be quick on his day too – amongst the quickest in the field according to EquiRatings – blink and you’ll miss ‘em! Will finished just outside the top-20 at Luhmuhlen last season on his debut at the level.

8:15 a.m. ET: Wabbit says I SEE IT MOM as they sweep through the Sunken Road and now the Birch Rails. What a jump this Thoroughbred has. Jessie rides very boldly to the Vicarage Vee after having the setup Rolex Grand Slam Rails go awry with the pin dropped for 11 penalties.

8:14 a.m. ET: Sarah and Jackson get into time penalties, but not far — she collects just 9 seconds which is an absolute stellar round. This should put Sarah into great stead ahead of Sunday on a score of 40.0, especially considering the hefty time penalties we’ve seen accrued to this point.

8:13 a.m. ET: Sarah Ennis is getting close to home and is absolutely FULL of running with a little under a minute to get home. She’s going to be the closest to the optimum time of 11:19.

8:12 a.m. ET: Jessie chooses a slight left-to-right swoop to the corner in the water at the MARS Badminton Lake and takes the right hand flag at the C but looks to be inside them.

🇫🇷 Florian Ganneval and Blue Bird De Beaufour are underway. Amateur rider and full-time farrier, Florian’s here at Badminton for the first time. This pair had a successful 5* season last year, with a 26th place at Luhmuhlen and 17th at Pau, jumping clear across the country on both occasions. In 22 FEI starts, Blue Bird has just one non-completion on his card and one 11 penalties for activating a frangible device – other than that it’s clear all the way.

8:11 a.m. ET: Sarah and Jackson have a lovely jump over the Vicarage Vee and are also clear at the Lightsource bp Mound at 26. This is looking very quick.

8:09 a.m. ET: Sarah also takes the long route at the MARS Sustainability Bay. She’s looking to be the quickest so far with Grantstown Jackson. Jessie and Wabbit are clear through Huntsmans Close and the Pedigree Kennel at 8.

8:08 a.m. ET: Jessie, Wabbit, and his adorable ears are clear at the HorseQuest Quarry Feeders (4AB).

8:07 a.m. ET: Hats off to the grounds crew as they got that corner at Huntsmans Close rebuilt with lightning speed. Sarah Ennis has no trouble here.

Let’s go Canada! 🇨🇦 Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit are now hopping their way ‘round the Badminton track. This full Thoroughbred is as speedy across the country as you’d expect him to be, and with three 5* XC clear rounds under his cinch, he’s got plenty of top-level experience to stand him in good stead as he makes his Badminton debut – he was 19th at Kentucky last year, and 11th at Burghley. There are 19 clear XC rounds on his record – will he make it 20 today?

8:06 a.m. ET: Ah man, Huberthus also says no at the Vicarage Vee after coming under a strong ride to the Rolex Grand Slam Rails just before, and now Bill has put his hand up. Sarah Ennis is clear at the Bloomfields Brush Buckets at fence 6 with Grantstown Jackson.

8:04 a.m. ET: I’m quite surprised at how much trouble the A element of the Ineos Grenadier Sunken Road has caused as it now prompts a runout from Huberthus AC and Bill Levett. It is a very skinny element, but I guess I just wouldn’t have anticipated the issues we’ve seen there. Here’s a look at the fence:

Photo via CrossCountryApp.

8:03 a.m. ET: Our next starters will be 🇮🇪 Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson. This guy made his 5* debut at Pau last year and finished just outside the top-20 after picking up a 20 out on cross country. It’s the only XC jumping penalty on his record since 2022 though, and he can be pretty swift on his day – the third fastest horse in the field according to EquiRatings. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em! Sarah’s got three Badminton completions under her belt and has represented Ireland at Olympic, World and European level.

Gaspard and Kan-Do 2 now take the MIM-clipped A of the MARS Badminton Lake, and he’s now made the smart decision to call it a day as the course only gets tougher from here.

8:01 a.m. ET: Woof, Gaspard and Kan-Do 2 absolutely demolish the D element of the Huntsmans Close — I think we might see a hold at the start while the fence crew rebuilds the fence. The horse and rider are fine, though they may get penalized for missing the flag there. Bill Levett and Huberthus AC take the long route at the MARS Sustainability Bay. Rosie Bradley-Hole is elated at the finish as Romantic collects 46 seconds of time with a stellar and scrappy clear round. What a GENUINE horse this one is, I love it.

8:00 a.m. ET: Rosie and Romatic are clear through the Worcester Avenue Brushes (28) and are working on getting home clear.

7:58 a.m. ET: To my eye everyone seems to be choosing the righthand side of the Agria Silver Birch Rails, which again is set a big farther back from the crest of the incline. Bill Levett has a huge jump over the Lightsource bp Log with Huberthus AC. He then leaves a stride out going out of the MARS Badminton Lake complex but the clever footwork serves this pair well here.

🇫🇷 Gaspard Maksud and Kan-Do 2 have left the start box. Kan-do 2 is one of the smallest horses in the field at 15.2 and at 10, he’s also one of the youngest. The gelding made his 5* debut alongside Gaspard at the end of last season at Pau where they jumped clear cross country but added 11 penalties for activating a frangible device, finishing 28th. This is a rider with all the flair of the French and with just one 20 on his XC jumping record, Kan-do 2 will hopefully be showing he can do this whole Badminton thang.

7:56 a.m. ET: Rosie gives Romatic a ton of verbal praise as they get through the LeMieux Eyelash Brushes clear. This hasn’t caused much trouble but it’s still a very demanding/distracting line. Rosie calls out for the long route at MARS Sustainability Bay.

7:55 a.m. ET: Romantic really responds well to the striding at the MARS Badminton Lake for Rosie. A really confident and bold ride for this pair so far. Bill Levett is out of the box and clear through fence 5.

7:53 a.m. ET: 🇦🇺 William Levett and Huberthus AC will be our next to see. Bill brought ‘Bart’ to Badminton last year but wasn’t sure about the conditions at that particularly wet and wild edition of the event for the horse’s 5* debut. He retired after a 20 out on cross country and re-routed to Luhmuhlen where they were eliminated out on course. He’s come out this season and put in three clear XC jumping rounds. Bill thinks a lot of this horse and it’ll be cool to see him put in the 5* round that Bill knows is in him – fingers crossed.

Rosie Bradley-Hole and Romantic navigated the Huntsmans Close well and are well on their way to the tougher portions of the track.

7:49 a.m. ET: Georgie and Feloupe are home about a minute, 20 seconds over time. Alice Casburn and Topspin have had a stop at the Lightsource bp Log at fence 9, just before the Badminton Lake question. Alice has now opted to retire after jumping in to school the fence. Meghan O’Donoghue unfortunately looks to have fallen from Palm Crescent at fence 20, the same place where Boyd had trouble. What a BUMMER. Palmer just dropped a shoulder a bit and pitched Meghan over the right side and she nearly hung on but gravity took its toll. She looks totally fine, but what a devastating finish for this incredible pair.

7:49 a.m. ET: 🇬🇧 Rosie Bradley-Hole and Romantic will be our next to see. Rosie completed on her Badminton debut in 2022 and comes back to the estate this year with 5* first-timer Romantic. There’s just one 20 on this mare’s record in 12 FEI finishes.

7:48 a.m. ET: Georgie is carrying 15 on her card at fence 17, the MARS Sustainability Bay. Meghan O’Donogue takes the long route at the same question.

7:46 a.m. ET: “Palmer” stands way off the massive corner in the MARS Badminton Lake but this scrappy pair makes it work and continue on to the “4*-Short” part of the course. Alice Casburn and Topspin leave a bit of a leg at the A element of the Quarry but are upright and get away with it.

7:45 a.m. ET: We’ve only seen Meghan once so far but she’s listed clear through 11. Georgie is clear with a big effort at the Vicarage Vee.

🇬🇧 Alice Casburn and Topspin are up and running. Alice is the youngest competitor here this week, riding her family’s second generation homebred, ‘Spinach’. This pair were 18th here last year, and 7th at Burghley, where they jumped clear cross country and added just 7.6 time penalties to their dressage score across the three phases. There are a couple of green 20s on their record, but they’ve got XC clear form at 5* on their card too – they were 5th at Burghley in 2022. Eyes on for a leaderboard climb today 🪜

7:44 a.m. ET: Georgie Goss takes a longer circular route at the MARS Sustainability Bay. Tom Crisp is home clear with 48 seconds of time, likely closer to that 30 second average had it not been for that save at the Sustainability Bay.

7:43 a.m. ET: Feloupe shows his heart at the LeMieux Eyelash Brushes and makes the out work despite losing the line a bit. Meghan O’Donoghue is tidily through the Huntsmans Close. Let’s go Meg!

7:41 a.m. ET: “I’m so proud of my horse. He never failed to give me his absolute all. It was so unbelievably tough out there, I can’t even explain…I had to work quite hard, which is rare on that horse. I’m gutted for him about that pin, he was fault-less. It is what it is, but it doesn’t take away from what an unbelievable horse he is.” — Bubby Upton at the finish.

Sammi Birch is home but is showing with two flag penalties on her card. I’m also catching up on our newest starters as we aren’t seeing everyone on the live feed.

🇮🇪 Georgie Goss and Feloupe are away and at MARS Badminton Lake. It’s a 5* debut for Feloupe who’s on a run of 6 clear XC jumping rounds. Georgie came here for the first time in 2008 when she was just 19, and in 2009 was the only rider to have two rides inside the time.

We’re also now joined by the other U.S. rider, 🇺🇲 Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent. Meghan and ‘Palmer’ are making their Badminton debut after successfully completing the other big B in 2022 and finishing just outside the top-25. They were 11th at Kentucky that season, adding just 6 time penalties out on cross country. Palmer showed his Thoroughbred speed in the bluegrass last spring, jumping clear and coming home just a few seconds over the time for 2.4 penalties. This guy can be quick and clear on his day, but there are a couple of blips on his jumping record at the level. Fingers crossed today’s his day.

7:39 a.m. ET: OMG, Tom almost takes a swim at the MARS Sustainability Bay and I almost put my foot in my mouth, but he makes a save aided by a very good Liberty and Glory who stopped right away and waited for her rider to upright himself. Well done!

7:39 a.m. ET: “He’s such a good jumper but he comes off the bridle and I’m like, not now there’s too many big jumps! He’s quite a little horse and he had to work very hard. I don’t feel very fit today! But when you get it done it’s such a big achievement. I was a bit slow and I hate being slow, and the ground is actually just dead — it looks fine but it’s just a bit dead and they’re not bouncing up the way you’d expect them to.” — Zara Tindall debriefs with Claire Balding at the finish, also noting that Class Affair isn’t a huge fan of crowds of people (me either, buddy, super relatable).

7:37 a.m. ET: You might remember Tom’s famous swim at the Lake last year and we’re pleased to report he’s safely made it through drily this year!

7:35 a.m. ET: Now Kylie has been stopped as the ground jury has decided she did not jump the Vicarage Vee. She’ll be kicking herself for not coming back to do the long route, which clearly did occur to her and what a tough decision to make in the moment. Ugh ugh ugh. Sammi Birch also goes long at MARS Sustainability Bay. Tom Crisp is shown clear through 11.

7:34 a.m. ET: It’s unclear of whether or not SRS Kan Do made it inside the righthand flag at the Vicarage Vee. The slow motion shows maybe not, but it’s hard to say — Kylie also appeared to question it as she hesitated a bit before continuing on.

7:32 a.m. ET: 🇬🇧 Tom Crisp and Liberty and Glory are underway. Tom famously took at dive into Badminton lake last year, and thrilled the crowd with his swimming antics. He’ll be hoping to stay dry this time around. This pair were 14th at Burghley last season and top-10 in 2022. This feisty mare’s a proven leaderboard climber 🪜 At Pau in 2018, she galloped her way 54 places up the order to finish 6th.

Kylie Roddy is still invisible on the feed but is clear through 23 and Sammi Birch, who we’ve also yet to see, is clear through 11.

7:31 a.m. ET: Bubby finishes about 37 seconds over, and while they will drop down the board with those 11 penalties, you cannot discount what it took for Bubby to get to this point. You know she isn’t riding totally pain-free and just wow, it’s quite a story.

“I was sitting on a really good mare,” Felix Vogg says at the finish. “This year, it’s a totally different course and I’m really pleased with her.”

7:29 a.m. ET: We’ve not seen any of Kylie Roddy and SRS Kan Do, but they are listed as clear through fence 12.

🇦🇺 Sammi Birch and Finduss PB are up and running. This pair were 25th here in 2022 when they added just a handful of XC time in a super clear jumping round. Their last 5* run was at Burghley that year, where they were eliminated on the cross country. Sammi finished 7th on her Badminton debut in 1999.

7:27 a.m. ET: Class Affair is home clear with 46 seconds of time. Zara has had her share of grief with this horse and she has to be pretty happy with today’s performance. Bubby is clear at the Ineos Grenadier Sunken Road but does have a pin at the Agria Silver Birch Rails (21), where she had opted for the right hand side. Damn.

7:26 a.m. ET: Bubby Upton takes the long route at the MARS Sustainability Bay.

7:24 a.m. ET: Class Affair stumbles just a bit between the tree stumps at the Lightsource BP Mound but Zara sits tight and they soar over the final element. Bubby now enters the toughest part of the course after clearing the KBIS Broken Bridge. She’s now clear through the LeMieux Eyelashes, and Cola did peek a little at the water-filled ditch but there’s no issue here.

🇬🇧 Kylie Roddy and SRS Kan Do will be next to leave the start box. Kylie’s looking for her first Badminton completion here this week after retiring out on course with SRS Kan Do in 2022 and withdrawing before cross country last year due to the tricky ground conditions. This pair were 5th at Pau at the end of last season where they added just 8 XC time penalties to their score across the competition. They were 6th at Luhmuhlen in 2022, jumping clear inside the time on cross country day. This could well be one to watch 👀

7:23 a.m. ET: I love the style Cola has. He’s got a great gallop and just looks like he rides very in front of the leg — what a feeling it must be to take this one around cross country. Bubby’s clear at the MARS Badminton Lake.

7:21 a.m. ET: Cola gives the oxer at the Huntsman’s Close a bit of a rattle, but he and Bubby are clear through this influential element. Zara opts to go long at MARS Sustainability Bay.

7:20 a.m. ET: Zara uses her voice to get Class Affair in front of her leg after he peeks looking into the water. They get it done!

7:19 a.m. ET: As Zara navigates Huntsman’s Close clear, we now look to 🇬🇧 Bubby Upton and Cola, who have just got their Badminton cross country underway. Bubby’s back eventing after a serious injury last season, and we’re thrilled she’s able to be with us here today. This pair were 8th here last year, when they laid to rest the ghost of the heartbreaking run out they had at the final fence in 2022. Cola’s had no XC jumping penalties since then and when the going’s great, he’s pretty speedy, keeping time penalties to single figures. EquiRatings have him down as amongst the most reliable jumpers in the field.

7:17 a.m. ET: Felix is still working on a clear, and he’ll catch some time penalties but he’s not going to be super far off I don’t think. He’s really going for it with the toughest parts (lol) of the course done now. He finishes with about 27 seconds of time, which is telling as Felix was certainly on it most of the way around.

🇬🇧 Zara Tindall and Class Affair are with us on course now. This pairing were 15th at Kentucky last season where they jumped clear across the country and added 18 time penalties. They retired at Burghley in the fall after a 20 out on course, the gelding’s first XC jumping faults since Burghley the previous year. Will ‘Socks’ pull his socks up for his showing today? Let’s hope so.

7:15 a.m. ET: Cartania gets close to the B and long to the C of the BP Lightsource Mound, but that’s cross country riding — you ride what’s under you. India Wishart takes the frangible pin at the big oxer coming into the Huntsman’s Close with Diamond Sundance. The horse has taken a couple funny steps after getting his hind end a bit caught up in the fallen rail and India has made the decision to pull up. What a bummer for your Badminton debut, but the horse comes first and she won’t have lost much fitness this early on so she can still reroute for a spring Long format if she desires.

7:13 a.m. ET: Felix takes a gamble also at MARS Sustainability and Cartania does drop a shoulder over the log but they make it work and will be in better stead on the clock as a result. Felix is really working on a nice round. SAP Talisman is looking fit coming home, and while Sam will be disappointed with the penalties and resulting time, he’s still got a fit and confident horse coming home which is a big deal in itself.

7:11 a.m. ET: Sam Watson takes another frangible device, this time the Vicarage Vee. Super disappointing for this pair, which have been a great cross country pair to this point. Felix Vogg is clear at the LeMieux Eyelash Brushes.

🇬🇧 India Wishart and Diamond Sundance are next away. India and ‘Sunny’ are making their Badminton debut here this week. They had their first start at the level at Pau last season, where they jumped clear XC and finished up in 27th. This guy is a clear round machine with 19 consecutive XC jumping clears on their record.

7:09 a.m. ET: Sam Watson is the first to go direct at MARS Sustainability Bay and boldly goes for it with SAP Talisman. The gamble pays off.

7:09 a.m. ET: Felix and Cartania navigate Huntsman’s Close clear and very tidily.

7:08 a.m. : 🇨🇭 Felix Vogg and Cartania have left the start box. This mare made her 5* debut here at Badminton last year and finished 15th with a clear round across the country – in fact, in 32 FEI competitions she’s got just a single XC jumping penalty on her card – one. That was at a 1* way back in 2018. This jumping machine is one to watch 👀 Felix is a 5* winner, topping the Luhmuhlen leaderboard in 2022 on his birthday.

7:06 a.m: SAP Talisman hits the A of the MARS Badminton Lake and will incur 11 penalties there for dropping the frangible pin.

“I was going great through the first two thirds and I started to hunt along too much and Thomas got a bit tired,” Boyd says, saying he also saw a longer distance to the A element where he had the trouble and takes full responsibility for the trouble there. Good on ya, Boyd.

7:05 a.m. ET Ah rats, Monbeg Exclusive has had another driveby at the LeMieux Eyelash Brushes. Boyd also, of note, had 60 penalties at fence 20, apologies as I had missed the second runout or perhaps he crossed his tracks coming back around.

🇮🇪 Sam Watson and SAP Talisman are underway and hoping for the luck of the Irish as they take on Badminton. Sam has three completions on his card, but it’s a first time for ‘Podge’ who made his 5* debut at Burghley last year and finished 13th. He was clear and impressively speedy that day – just one second over the time. Fingers crossed he can replicate that 5* flair here today.

7:01 a.m. ET: Thomas finishes well with Boyd and while he’ll be sore about the trouble and extra time, we’re one step closer to that historic seventh 5* finish. Meanwhile, Max Warburton tries to move up to the D Element of the Huntsmans Close and Monbeg Exclusive doesn’t answer the question, forcing a retry.

7:00 a.m. ET: “I was a bit nervous, it’s only my ninth event on Dreamer and it’s very hot, the ground’s quite sticky,” Tom Rowland says at the finish. “He’s finished really well.”

Boyd takes another long route at the Lightsource BP Mound, focusing on getting Thomas home safely. This will certainly not be the ride Boyd visualized today.

6:58 a.m. ET: Boyd is safely through the Vicarage Vee.

🇬🇧 Max Warburton and Monbeg Exclusive are out on track. Rookie combination alert! This is a former Andrew Nicolson ride, with Max taking over the reins for the 2022 season. In 8 FEI starts together, they’ve just got an 11 penalties for activating a frangible device on their card, otherwise, it’s clear XC jumping all the way.

6:57 a.m. ET: Arklow Puissance is pretty tired coming home but another one clear with 30+ seconds of time and Wills has given him a great ride today. He finishes looking great with ears pricked.

No! Boyd and Tsetserleg have come to grief at the A element of the Sunken Road, Boyd comes around for an attempt at the long route, which will take more energy away unfortunately. Thomas has not looked 100% on form today, which is attributable to many things but Boyd will be giving him a sensible ride home.

6:56 a.m. ET: Boyd is the latest to go long at MARS Sustainability Bay. Who will we see go direct here? Why is Doug Payne not here?

6:55 a.m. ET: Thomas makes a huge effort at the LeMieux Eyelash Brushes. It will be interesting to see how much Thomas has in the tank by the end with the effort he’s had to make at some of these questions, though with so many 5* events under his belt at this point he will be one of the fittest horses here in terms of his base of fitness.

6:51 a.m. ET: Tom is going to finish a clear round with Dreamliner, who’s a bit flagging but didn’t lose his jump to the finish. Terrific round with some time (about 36 seconds’ worth, which so far has been about average with two home).

Boyd really gets a left leg workout to the D element of the Huntsmans Close. I think he was clear but the ground jury will be looking to make sure Thomas’ shoulders made it through the flags.

6:49 a.m. ET: Dreamliner slithers off the sneaky bank at Lightsource BP Mound (26ABCD). With the little raised rail at the ground line of the bank I think it will be super interesting to see how horses jump down. The rail discourages horses from dropping right down, though Dreamliner jumped down more like a “normal” bank, but some may launch over that.

Tom is clear through 28 and Wills clear through 14.

🇺🇲 Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF have got their Badminton cross country underway. We haven’t seen Boyd at Badminton since 2016 and he’s looking for his first completion of the event here this week – when he achieves it, he’ll have completed at all seven of the world’s 5*s. ‘Thomas’ finished top-10 at Burghley last year where he added just 9.6 time penalties out on XC. Earlier in the season he’d had an uncharacteristic 20 at Luhmuhlen and Kentucky, so let’s hope the clear at Burghley got him back on track and we see this special 17-year-old gelding doing what he does best here today.

6:47 a.m. ET: Tom Rowland also opts to go long at the MARS Sustainability Bay. Wills Oakden and Arklow Puissance is through the first combination at the HorseQuest Quarry Feeders (4AB).

6:45 a.m. ET: “All credit to the horse. If you’d have told me when I got him three or four years that he was going to come to Badminton, let alone jump around the way he did, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Tom Jackson says at the finish.

🇬🇧 Wills Oakden and Arklow Puissance are our next to see. ‘Mr P’ is another former Oliver Townend ride. He was 8th at Burghley with Wills last season, where he added just 4.4 time penalties out on course. Wills’ is looking for redemption here with this gelding today after a tumble on XC last year. He’s got 2 completions under his belt with other horses in his string and a 12th place finish on his record.

6:44 a.m. ET: Dreamliner comes under a strong ride at the MARS Badminton Lake (10) to make the distances, but he’s through it without issue.

Meanwhile Caroline has pulled up after a runout at the A element of fence 20 and will come back to try another time.

6:42 a.m. ET: 14.4 time penalties added for Tom Jackson, who gives a huge fist pump at the finish and I am having all the feelings. What a tone-setter! What a ride! What a horse! Tom Rowland is clear through the Huntsman’s Close with Dreamliner. We still haven’t seen much of Caroline Powell but I’m keeping an eye on her progress on fence analysis. Caroline does pop up for us at 17, MARS Sustainability Bay, where she also opts to go long at the angled log out of the water. CBI Aldo is looking a little quiet, and this is not the part of that course where that would give you a great feeling.

6:41 a.m. ET: Tom is down on the clock as he comes to the final handful of elements. Caroline is showing through fence 13 on course.

🇬🇧 Tom Rowland and Dreamliner are also up and running. Tom’s got 3 Badminton completions from 3 starts under his belt, which should have him feeling good as he gets his round underway today. Dreamliner jumped clear inside the time ‘round Luhmuhlen with fellow Badminton competitor Oliver Townend in 2022, on the gelding’s debut at the level. He added nothing in the XC in the 4*-L at Blenheim last season with Tom and there are no XC jumping penalties on his card since 2019.

6:40 a.m. ET: Tom navigates the big drop and tree stumps at 26, and now he’s just got a handful of fences standing between him and the finish. Farndon is still galloping quite well and looks not to have taken a ton out of the bank at this point.

6:38 a.m. ET: Tom opts for the right handed upright rail, slightly bigger than its left counterpart but set with an extra stride on top of the hill. Caroline has run into trouble at Huntsmans Close, driving by the open corner.

6:37 a.m. ET: Tom opts to go the long route involving a circle to the log out of the water at MARS Sustainability Bay at 17, but it really didn’t look to take a ton of extra time and will be a worthwhile option here for many riders. Caroline Powell and CBI Aldo haven’t been shown a ton yet but are shown clear through 7.

6:36 a.m. ET: Farndon answers my question of whether or not the horses would care about jumping water vs going through it at the LeMieux Eyelash Brushes at 15, and his answer was “psh”.

6:36 a.m. ET: 🇳🇿 Caroline Powell and CBI Aldo are now out on course. CBI Aldo’s making his 5* debut here this week. In 11 FEI runs, this gelding’s only had XC jumping penalties twice. He’s reasonably speedy too. Caroline has 16 Badminton completions under her belt and a Burghley win – in 2010 with the late, great Lenamore.

Tom is getting into the meaty part of the course now, clearing the KBIS Broken Bridge easily.

6:35 a.m. ET: Tom now navigates the big water complex at 10, where the strategically placed pagodas I think will really help the riders pick up their lines. Farndon easily makes the distance to the massive corner in the water. This is a really nice round so far, quiet but flowing.

6:32 a.m. ET: It’s so interesting to watch these combinations ride early on. Tom made the Voltaire Design Huntsmans Close at 7ABCD look very doable, making use of the S turn the elements are set on to find his lines, and Farndon responds beautifully.

6:31 a.m. ET: Tom’s started off at a fairly sensible pace and is neatly through the first combination, HorseQuest Quarry Feeders at 4AB.

6:30 a.m. ET: What must it be like to be the first out of the box at any event like this? Tom will be able to gather some intel for his second ride toward the end of the day, but the conditions will be different now than they will be later. He’s quite experienced at this level, but you won’t catch me jealous of his pathfinder position.

6:29 a.m. ET: Ooooo, I’m BUZZING. Here we go with Tom Jackson and Farndon, about 20 seconds from start. Let’s get this party started!

6:27 a.m. ET: We’ve had another late withdrawal: Emma Thomas (GBR) has withdrawn Icarus. Here’s a look at the other withdrawals for today:

6:30 a.m. ET: Don’t forget, you can get a deeper look at Eric Winter’s buzzing course in both our course preview here and on CrossCountryApp here.

6:20 a.m. ET: And good morning to you, EN! Sally Spickard checking in here to get us started with today’s live blog. Cheg’s already got you well-prepared for the day ahead, and we’ll see our first pair (Tom Jackson and Farndon) in just about 10 minutes’ time. Stay tuned for more!

Trailblazing their way out of the start box and kicking off Badminton cross country are 🇬🇧 Tom Jackson and Farndon. We’re up and running! This pair were 6th at Luhmuhlen last year where they finished on their dressage. They’re a really handy combination to give us a good indication of how the track’s going to ride today. They’ll be playing sardines in the riders’ tent for a look at Tom’s round, for sure.

A 5* With a 4*-S in the Middle – Riders React to Cross Country at MARS Badminton Horse Trials

Just a gigantic tree, with roots, that the horses and riders are going to jump over, off a blind turn – that’s all. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

One (very experienced) rider’s sick to his stomach (with nerves, we think, not dodgy burger or something); another’s very glad she had a trip to Badminton as a spectator last year so she’s not so stagestruck by the sheer amount of people she’ll be performing in front of; stats guy Sam Watson predicts more runouts than usual, and every rider is very, very aware that the middle of the course is very, very intense.

The leader of the pack, Ros Canter, is open-minded about what may or may not transpire when she takes her turn on Eric Winter’s track, given the relative inexperience of her horse, Izilot DHI, despite the gelding already having a 5* win under his cinch. Nothing’s a given when it comes to Badminton. But one thing is for certain – this is not a dressage competition and there is a serious amount of work to be done before anyone can even begin to dream of their Badminton completion.

Last year we were all, very Britishly, talking about the weather – the incessant rain that mucked up everything. This year, the weather’s still very much on the riders’ minds. Yes, we’ve had years (it seems) of neverending downpours which have thoroughly saturated the ground, and yes, it’s still sticky despite the fact that the rain has, in fact, relented in the past couple of weeks (huzzah!). However, it’s forecast to be in the low-20s C / high 60s into the 70s F for cross country day – temperatures we’re just not used to in Britain generally at the best of times, never mind as we come out of a very long winter.

The horses won’t have been working in that kind of heat, and it’s likely to take its toll as they gallop across the country. Add to that the potentially holding ground, and well, that’s a whole other dimension added to an already huge challenge.

Like last year, the riders will have to be smart and sensible, and totally on their game in terms of horsemanship. They did the sport proud twelve months ago on the whole, with top names pulling up when they looked to be going well, using all their feel and relationship with their horses to make the very best decision for them. This is something that is very much on the riders’ minds as they come into tomorrow’s challenge, with the majority noting that horsemanship will 100% come before competition.

I think that’s a positive note for me to end on.

Let’s get the riders’ reactions – in their own words – to the challenge ahead at the 75th Anniversary MARS Badminton Horse Trials…

If you want to see when your favorites will be heading out of the start box, you’ll find the ride times here.

We’ll be bringing you live updates from the whole of today’s cross country – eyes on EN for our live blog – as well as daily reports from each stage of the competition, and SO MUCH MORE! Keep it locked onto EN and click here for all the Badminton content you can handle As if that isn’t enough, we’ve also got loads of great IG content happening courtesy of our team on the ground too @goeventing.

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!

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🇬🇧 Ros CanterIzilot DHI – 25.3 – 1st

Ros Canter Izilot DHI. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Clubhouse leader Ros Canter may be sat on a 5* winner, and she may be in with a shot of retaining her Badminton title from last year (the last person to do that was Pippa Funnell in 2002/03), but she’s keeping a level head and thinking horse-first:

“We’re very open minded about tomorrow. I intend to go out the start box meaning business. We’re here to be competitive if we can, but the length of this course, the ground and everything else, would be a bit of a question mark for this horse. He’s a bit less proven, he’s less blood than Walter [Lordships Graffalo – last year’s champ] anyway. If at any point I think he’s done, we’ll be calling it a day. But up until that point, I’ll be going out, trying to knuckle down and get on with it.”

Are there any particular fences she’s got her eye on?

“The log coming out of that top water, the angled log [Fence 18, which comes after the MARS Sustainability Bay combination]. I think it’s one of those less than a split second things, whether it goes right or wrong. It’s got that big, old stump and roots on it, so it’s even more blind. But it’s big all the way around. I’m not sure there’s one combination that shouts out at me, other than that it’s Badminton and, every time I do the first course walk, I go, ‘Ooh, that’s okay,’ because each individual fence is okay. But then you start to break it down and you go, “Well, that’s a ditch, and then two later, that’s a ditch, and that’s a ditch, and then, that’s a drop, and that’s drop, and that’s a drop,’ and that’s where it starts to become the challenge.”

A lot of ditches and drops then, and that log is on quite a few of the riders’ minds.

🇬🇧 Bubby UptonCola – 27.3 – 2nd

 

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It was an emotional moment for everyone when Bubby completed her dressage test on Thursday. It’s wonderful to see her back, doing what she loves, on a horse that she loves. She’s one determined lady, that’s for sure. How does she feel about what she’ll face when she gallops out of the start box with Cola?

“I’ve only had a really brief look at it [when we spoke to her, she’s certainly walked it properly by now!] and it always makes me laugh, asking what do you think of the course – I think I said that a couple of years ago. Of course, it’s absolutely enormous and a lot to be jumped out there. But there’s no horse that I’d rather be sat on on Saturday, so I’m really excited for it.”

🇳🇿 Tim PriceVitali – 27.7 – 3rd

Tim Price and Vitali. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Tim summed things up very nicely when we asked him what he thought of the course:

“I think it’s really solid, really challenging. The time is going to be really difficult with all the various combinations, and we have to think about our lines. When you’re thinking, you’re usually slowing down a little bit. It’s big and I’m excited to have a go.”
🇺🇲 Boyd MartinTsetserleg TSF – 29 – 4th

 

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Boyd’s kinda out of his comfort zone here at Badminton. He has been here once before, in 2016, but he didn’t complete. There’s added pressure this time around: he’s going for a completion in all seven of the world’s 5*s. He’s been top-10 at all six of the top-level events he has completed, it’s just the elusive spring big B that’s eluded him… thus far. He’s in a great spot, on a great horse, who deserves a top-placing just as much as Boyd wants it. Eventing fans should all have their fingers crossed for this pair as they gallop off down the track.

Boyd seems to be feeling the nerves of tackling the unfamiliar, particularly as he’s so familiar with the 5* tracks he’s frequented over recent years:

“I’m sick to my stomach. I haven’t done this one very much – I’ve only done it once, and I didn’t finish. I’m pretty familiar with the Kentuckys and Luhmuhlens and Paus, and even Burghley – I’m quite comfortable there now. I’m going to walk it a couple more times than usual just to really get an understanding of where I want to be. It looks pretty tough to me.”

Are there any parts that are playing on his mind more than others?

“It just looks big – big jumps. And that circle, down the Vicarage Vee area [Fences 22, 23, 24 and 25] – to me that just looks relentless. It’s just tough question after tough question. I feel like if I can get through that and I’ve got a bit of horse left, I should be alright.”

🇬🇧 Emily KingValmy Biats – 29.2 – 5th

Emily King and Valmy Biats. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

That tricky middle section has caught Emily’s attention on this not just proper, but proper, proper track:

“It’s a proper, proper track. I think Eric [Winter] has done an amazing job. It’s got some big questions: the loop down at the bottom [the Vicarage Vee area Boyd also noted], the pond up there [Fence 17AB MARS Sustainability Bay], and the step down [Fence 26ABCD The Lightsource bp Mound] – all of that.”

Emily’s one of the riders who really impressed last year, when she was going brilliantly, is desperate for the Badminton completion that’s eluded her thus far, but pulled ‘Val’ up on course and walked home. We couldn’t see anything untoward with the horse, and there wasn’t. Emily felt him start to feel like things were just getting a bit too tiring, due to the muddy going, and she heard him and responded accordingly. She’s thinking very much along the same lines this year, with horsemanship at the forefront of her mind:

“There’s a lot happening and I think that [the ground] is drying up, so hopefully it will make a little bit easier for [the horses]. But still, I think they’re going to be feeling the softness there, so [we need] just to look after them, and I think we’ll all have that at the forefront of our minds – that we might need to be a bit steady in places to just get them home and feeling good and safe.”

🇳🇿 Caroline PowellGreenacres Special Cavalier
30 – 7th / CBI Aldo – 35.6 – =33rd

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

There’s a wee bit of a question mark on the ground for Caroline, but overall, she’s just going to give it a darn good ride:

“I think it’s a nice course. I think there’s a lot to jump at the end, a lot that can go wrong. There’s no one piece in particular that I’m thinking, ‘Oh, that’s a bit unjumpable,’ but there’s so much happening. We’ve also got the ground, which is going to be a wee bit undecided how it’s going to ride. It is drying out all the time. I think the course is a good course, as good a course as I’ve seen for a while, and I think everything’s there in front of you to jump, you’ve just got to give it a good ride and hopefully we will do.”

🇬🇧 William Fox-PittGrafennacht – 30.6 – =8th

William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Eventing legend William Fox-Pitt walked the course with eventing king Yogi Breisner. He’s won five of the seven 5*s and has completed here at Badminton 24 times on 16 different horses – he’s been the champ twice and has graced the other two podium spots with his long, long frame on multiple occasions. He didn’t even seem to notice the jumps out there:

“I’m very excited to have been able to walk the course with Yogi Breisner – he had some good ideas about it. I think it looks good – it’s a decent track, isn’t it? I think it will be holding in parts, particularly in the second half, and I think it’ll ride well until the Lake [Fence 10ABCD] – that’s pretty damn good ground, to be honest. Round the back it’s mucky in bits, and it varies a bit, and it’s going to get harder – it’ll walk good underfoot, but it’s pudding for a long way down because it’s rained for the last six months. There’s no firmness there. It’ll be hard work – some will go well in that. It’s very different to last year, which was quite slippy and slidey, and maybe felt a bit uncomfortable, but the horses weren’t having to work so hard as maybe they’ll have to work here.”

This is William’s 20th time at the Badminton estate. What’s he learned over his two decades of competing here?

“You never know what’s going to happen. Since 1998, it’s changed quite a lot: it’s short, it’s technical, it’s high-powered, but it’s a lot less time on horseback. We were riding, in the old days, for nearly an hour and a half on cross-country day, and now we’re on for ten minutes. It’s just so different, and it’s exciting, because it’s maybe more demanding and more competitive, with trickier lines, angles, and turns, but you do need a different apparatus to do it with.”

🇬🇧 Gemma StevensChilli Knight – 31.7 – =10th

Gemma’s got a long wait ahead of her before she gets her Badminton cross country underway, which is a blessing and a curse, really. She noticed the big fences during her course walk, and the question after question. She’s under no illusions – she’s definitely at a 5*:

“I mean, Jesus, it’s Badminton. It’s serious. Down in the Vicarage area, it’s so intense – big fence after big fence, after question after question. [Eric’s] used every single bit of the ground. The second water, [Fences 17AB and 18 MARS Sustainability Bay], that is five-star ten out of ten question. I think that’s going to cause trouble and as yet, I don’t have a plan for that one fence, but I have a plan for everything else and that is straight.

That is a benefit of going near the end, although it’s a long day. It’s terrible for the nerves, but actually it is nice to learn a bit about the course. It’s really tough going out first round these five-stars when you’re just not sure how they’re gonna jump it, but listen, it’s a tough track. Probably [at] Fence Five you’re at five-star, you’re at Badminton, and it means it.”

🇬🇧 Pippa FunnellMCS Maverick – 31.9 – 12th

Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Pippa’s won this whole dang thing three times, and, as ever, has delightfully clear opinions about what’s out there on track. And she really Does. Not. Like. that tree stump. Not. A. Bit:

“It’s beautifully presented, very clever. Lots of questions all the way through, really. We’ll be glad to get through Huntsman’s Close [Fence 7ABCD] – that’s a tough ask early on. Then it all comes – The Lake [10ABCD], the Vicarage [Fences 15ABCD and then Fences 24 and 25] – it seems very intense all the way. It seems as though we’re longer out there. I think it’s a bit deceiving when you’ve been here so many times, you think you come out and you’ve got a long way to go home, but you’ve actually got longer in that Vicarage loop with plenty of drops, plenty of big drops. If I’m honest, the fence I really don’t like is that tree stump out of that water [Fence 18, which comes after the MARS Sustainability Bay combination that Ros also noted]. It’s an ugly thing, you can’t see it and it’s got the roots of the tree and I don’t like that.”

She’s sitting in a good place with her relatively inexperienced at the level MCS Maverick, who showed a whole bunch of character and then some at the First Horse Inspection eliciting a big “Wooooo” from the crowd. But he was settled and attentive in the Main Arena for his dressage, which has got to have Pippa feeling really good about getting out there on him:

“I’ve had some really good rides on him cross country. He gave me a fantastic ride at Pau [for his 5* debut, where he finished 11th] and at Bramham. But listen, this is Badminton and it’s different. He’s got all the ability to jump around: he’s got scope, he’s got gallop, he’s got all that. He’s got to concentrate on me and concentrate on what he’s got in front of him to jump.”

Pippa went for a hack/to scout out the ground. It’s a concern, particularly as she’ll be last to go:

I personally thought the ground is still a concern. I think it’s softer than we all think. It’s important that I didn’t want to override the horse at all, so I went for a lovely hack this morning and I was surprised at how wet it was, so we’ll see [what it’s like] at the end of the day.”

🇨🇭 Felix VoggCartania – 32.6 – =15th

 

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Swiss rider Felix Vogg won Luhmuhlen on his birthday in 2022. It’s not his birthday here at Badminton, but I’m really not sure that the stars aligning is a formal a prerequisite for a Swiss man to win a 5*. He’s right in line to push up the leaderboard tomorrow with his World Championships partner, Cartania, but he’s feeling like there might be two courses out there:

“[It’s] a totally different course again than last year. A lot of questions as well, especially in the middle part – it seems a bit like a small, short four-star format in the middle part. I think there’s a lot to do and will be interesting.”

🇺🇲 Cosby GreenCopper Beach – 33.7 – 18th

 

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Cosby Green’s feeling a little stagestruck at her first Badminton, but she’s in attack-mode:

“It is stunning. I cannot wait to get out there. The jumps are massive and it seems like they’re not possible, but I believe it is and I’ll just go out there and give my horse the ride he deserves and attack it. I did come [last year as a spectator], which I’m so glad I did because otherwise I would have been in shock yesterday, just seeing the people at the [First Horse Inspection]. I was really nervous just for the number of people, so I’m glad I have a little bit more expectation of what to expect on Saturday with the crowds.”

🇬🇧 Kylie RoddySRS Kan Do – 34 – 20th

Kylie Roddy and SRS Kan Do. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Kylie is particularly concerned about the weather, and the ground:

“It’s not really a day look forward to here is it? [I think that depends on whether you’re riding or spectating with a glass of something fizzy, perhaps. I digress, back to Kylie.] But it is a day where the gauntlet is laid and I truly believe that the ground is going to be a massive influencing factor with the temperature. We’ve got some softer going at the moment, which could go a bit sticky. I think we’ve got about 23 degree heat [Centigrade] on Saturday. When you think about the winter that these horses have had – they’ve probably not even galloped anywhere near that heat. So there’ll be a fatigue factor that kicks in and it’ll be efficiency in the way you ride your lines. Efficient cross country riding, I’m sure will pay dividends on Saturday.”

🇬🇧 Laura CollettHester – 34.1 – 21st

 

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Laura’s a previous Badminton champion, but she’s here this year with a 5* debutant. She’s got experience on her side when it comes to formulating a plan in terms of how she’ll ride the course, and her plan for Hester is purely about having a good experience:

“I think it’s a really decent cross country track. I think it’s built beautifully. There’s not one fence in particular that stands out; I think it is from start to finish a test. The Vicarage area [Fences 15ABCD and then Fences 24 and 25] is seriously intense, and we’ve learned over the years that that really takes it out of them mentally as well as physically, so just have to bear that in mind. This this week for [Hester] is all about giving her a good experience. She has been a fantastic cross country horse, but she has lower mileage and we’ll see what happens tomorrow, but I’m looking forward to it.”

🇳🇿 Jonelle PriceGrappa Nera – 34.4 – =22nd

Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jonelle’s been coming to Badminton for two decades, and won the thing in 2018 with Classic Moet. She’s in no doubt that she’s at Badminton, but she does have doubts about the ground:

“I think it’s a true five-star track – it is a true Badminton track. It’ll be interesting how much the ground proves a bit holding. Obviously with the heat – we haven’t had any hot weather this year, so I think that’s going to hit the horses quite hard. It’ll be interesting to see how they come home and it’s big all the way home. I think you’ll need some sensible riding and the accumulation effect: I think it’s really important you keep them confident, and jumping healthily all the way around.”

🇬🇧 Felicity CollinsRHS Contend OR – 34.5 – 24th

Felicity’s plan is to have one, but really, it’s all about what happens when you get out there:

“[Eric’s] built a very good track, but there’s a lot of areas where you can have a problem and I think my main feeling from it is, it’s about knowing your horse, knowing what you’re sat on. I think you’ve just got to ride your lines and prepare your horse in the right way, and then they’ve got to decide where they want to take off from. I don’t think it’s going to be the easiest course to plan for – I think it’s going to be a bit about getting out there and seeing seeing what you’ve got, really.”

Will she watch what’s going on to help with that?

“I am someone who does like to watch when you’ve got the opportunity to, so I’ll try and pick some good jumping horses, some nice scopey horses, and some good riders to watch and hopefully get some confidence, and they’ll make it look really easy.”

And is she as focused on the ground as many other riders are? For sure:

“We won’t know until a few horses have gone round. I don’t think it’s as much as last year – I don’t think anything could be this like that. But yes, obviously it’s gonna be a hotter day and it’s whether the ground is a bit tacky as it’s drying. And you’ve got hot weather and maybe tired horses because of that.”

🇬🇧 Tom RowlandDreamliner – 34.9 – 29th / KND Steel Pulse – 36.9 – 47th

 

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‘Dermot’ be nimble, Dreamer be quick, horseys jump over.. the jumps. I clearly didn’t think this through when I set out down this path. Anyhoo… Tom’s hoping his two rides – ‘Dermot’ AKA HND Steel Pulse, and ‘Dreamer’, clearly Dreamliner – will be nimble enough to make those very, very tight acute turns he’s spotted out there:

“I think it’s quite different in the sense that obviously, it’s very big and brave and you’ve got big jumps – a lot of big jumps – but I think you will also need quite a nimble horse, maybe more so than in recent years. [There are] a lot more skinnies and some really very, very tight acute turns. Obviously we do have that, but there seems to be even more of an emphasis on this – you really want that nimble horse.”

🇬🇧 Alice CasburnTopspin – 35.3 – 30th

Alice Casburn and Topspin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Youngest rider in the field for three years running, Alice is here with second generation homebred Topspin, and has got two top-20 placings under her belt, as well as two top-10s at Burghley. She’s walked the course with her mom, who owns, bred and used to ride Topspin. Alice can really go out there in the confidence that her horse has been here, seen that, and knows what he’s doing by now:

“If I have a stop before the unfinished bridge [Fence 13], I probably won’t carry on because [Topspin] should really know what he’s doing now. But then when you hit that – I said to mum, ‘I’ve got brain ache!’. And that’s what mum always says about five-stars; she said, ‘If you put one of those questions in a four-star, it’d probably be alright,’ – but it’s the accumulation – big fence after big fence. I’d like to think he knows what he’s doing by now, but with horses, that’s the excitement of it! You never know.”

🇺🇲 Alexandra KnowlesMorswood – 35.6 – =33rd

Alexandra Knowles and Morswood. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Allie and ‘Ginge’ are here from the States for their first trip to Badminton. How does she think he’ll take to the British track?

“[Morswood’s] a cross country machine. It doesn’t look easy, by any means, but I would rather do it on this horse than any other horse, so I’m looking forward to it. It’s a beautiful track, a lot of different questions and we’ll see how we get on.”

🇦🇺 Sammi BirchFinduss PB – 36.2 – =39th

There’s no place Sammi’d rather be than sat on Finduss PB (rhyme intended) – on Saturday at Badminton:

“Certainly doesn’t look [like anything’s] unjumpable, but I think the ground’s going to play a big factor. And it’s the cumulative effect really, isn’t it, at Badminton? so that’s exciting. And to be honest, I don’t want to be sat on anything else on Saturday. Fingers crossed, I can do him justice.”

🇬🇧 Kristina Hall-JacksonCMS Google – 36.2 – =39th

Kristina is really, really hoping for the clear round that’s eluded her thus far at her three attempts at the British 5*s – this is her second Badminton. She knows Google’s got it in her, it’s just a case of getting all their ducks in a row on the day:

“It’s a very big, bold track. Compared to last year, it’s a lot tougher out there and I’m just hoping it suits us. She’s a big galloping machine, and hopefully, it’s not going to be a dressage competition.”

🇬🇧 Wills OakdenA Class Cooley – 36.2 – =39th / Arklow Puissance – 39.4 – 61st

 

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Wills will be making his way out of the start box twice on cross country day. What’s his plan for his guys?

“I think you just take it each time as it comes and just see what’s there, and take each ride as it comes. You just hope that they come out the start box feeling as strong as I think they are. At the end of the day, if they’re not, you bring them home safe and well and look after them, and go again.”

🇬🇧 Alexander BraggQuindiva – 37.6 – 51st

Alex Bragg and Quindiva. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Alex is one of the riders that pulled up on course last year, showing great horsemanship when he felt his mare wasn’t enjoying the ground. What does he think of the going this time around?

“I know [we’ve had] the sunshine – it looks fantastic on top, but it is going to be tacky in places, really tacky. I’ve got a late draw, whether that’s good or bad I find out tomorrow, but I shall be picking different bits of ground and watching how the horses are traveling and jumping out of certain areas as well.”

But is he more optimistic than last year? Yes:

“It’s a really good course actually. I like the fact, when you come over from the intense area at the back [The Vicarage Vee area], you come up that draw uphill back towards the lake, which is always heavy going. It’s a nice finish from there and it’s much shorter than it has been. I think that’s great for the horses and we should see lots more finishes than last year coming over that MARS fence in the main arena, and hopefully lots more happy people that can jump on the Sunday.”

🇬🇧 Tom CrispLiberty and Glory – 38 – =54th

Tom Crisp and Liberty and Glory. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tom is famous for taking a long drink from the lake last year, following it up with a couple of widths of doggy paddle. He’s obviously hoping for a drier round this time, but what does he think of the course?

“It felt a bit stronger this year, but you can often walk a course and it walks difficult but it rides quite well, and then it can be the other way around. The the ground is going to add a dynamic to it. Hopefully people will have learned from last year – we might get a few fitter horses. I think [Eric’s] been quite fair to finish the last minute and a half on the flat, so the tired horses won’t look so bad coming over the finish line. It does feel more technical, but it is a real strong patch in the middle. I think it starts early on and doesn’t really let up, does it? Until you’re on the way home.”

🇬🇧 Rosie Bradley-HoleRomantic – 38 – =54th

 

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Rosie is succinct in what she thinks of the course – basically big:

“It looks big. It looks like an Eric course, but [Romantic’s] very honest and genuine so if I can get my lines, she will try her best for me.”

🇬🇧 Helen BatesCarpe Diem – 38.5 – 58th

Helen is much preferring the weather this year to last. She’s also noticed that the course is big. And Badminton:

“I think there’s enough to do. There’s quite a lot of combinations. I don’t think there’s going to be that much let up. And it’s big – it’s Badminton – but I’m really excited to get out there. Definitely since Wednesday, it’s drying out all the time. The sun is really, really helping. I think there’ll still be a couple of soft patches but it’s definitely better than when it’s raining.”

🇮🇪 Sam WatsonSAP Talisman – 39.1 – 60th

Sam Watson and SAP Talisman. Photo by Tilly Berendt

Hoping for the luck of the Irish, stats geek Sam thinks the course is brilliant. And of course he can’t help himself, and makes a prediction or two:

“It’s brilliant. There’s more chance of runouts than Eric normally builds, but it has all his normal features of slowing you down – using terrain, using every lump and bump. I’ve never known the Vicarage Vee – and there’s pretty much two of them – to be Fence 25 on course, and it’s pretty much a direct run home. I don’t think the Vicarage Vee has ever been so close to the finish line or ever will be again, with the route he’s done. It’s going to be different to see how horses are at that stage because the ground is dead. There’s a lot of jumping to do, a lot of concentration and they’re going to have to hold it all the way to the end.”

He’s found himself a little down the order going into the cross country, but he’s on a great guy for the job and is sure to be one of the speedier combinations, based on past form. He has another prediction for us, some life advice, and a whole lotta love for this awesome sport:

“I’d love to have been on a 35 – it gives you an extra four penalties, an extra 10 seconds. But look, we’re there. I think it’s going to be a very disruptive and very influential Saturday, and that’s what the sport should be, and that’s, of course what this horse should thrive on. It keeps me sharp as a rider and keeps me feeling alive about how great this sport is. It’s tough, it’s challenging. I’m out of my comfort zone 100%, but that’s a good place to be.”

And there you have it, straight from the horses’ mouths, so to speak.
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]

Diamonds on the Soles of their Shoes – Live Blog from Dressage Day Two at MARS Badminton Horse Trials

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.

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!

Shine Bright Between the White Boards – Live Blog from Dressage Day One at MARS Badminton Horse Trials

The Class of 2024. Photo via Badminton Horse Trials.

Here we go ENers, it’s the first day of dressage at the Great British spring 5* offering and I have some BREAKING NEWS for you… It’s not raining. Not even a light drizzle. I can’t promise it’ll stay that way, but the clouds are keeping their moisture under wraps as we get going up the center line and that’s surely worth a huzzah or two.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of this great event, the Badminton estate sure has seen some special and sparkling eventing moments over the past seven decades, and there’ll be more to come this week as a whole bunch of the world’s best horses and riders show up to shine like diamonds as they take part in this iconic event.

Coming up over the next two days we’ll see 69 competitors from eight different nations dressaging ‘til they can’t dressage no more as they make their play in the Main Arena, vying to head out out onto Saturday’s cross country as leader of the pack. The Badminton entry list is always stacked to the brim with the bold, the brave and the super talented and we’re in for a dang ol’ competition – you know it!

Here’s a taste of what we’ve got to look forward to today:

🇺🇲 There are six US combinations in the field, with four taking to the stage today:

💎 World No. 3 and going for a completion in all seven of the world’s 5*s, Boyd Martin will be first up the center line for the Stars and Stripes with Tsetserleg TSF – they go at 9:40am BST / 4:40am ET / 10:40am CEST.

💎 Also in the mix for the States today is Meghan O’Donoghue with eighteen-year-old Thoroughbred Palm Crescent – they go at 12:04am BST / 6:04am ET / 1:04pm CEST.

💎 British-based American Tiana Coudray will have her turn in the Main Arena this afternoon with Cancaras Girl – they go at 3:36pm BST / 10:36am ET / 4:36pm CEST.

💎 And last season’s Pond-hopper Cosby Green will be making her Badminton debut with Copper Beach – they go at 4pm BST / 11am ET / 5pm CEST.

🇨🇦 Jessie Phoenix is the only rider flying the Maple Leaf at this year’s Badminton. She brings Wabbit forward at 2:39pm BST / 9:39am ET / 3:39pm CEST.

🇬🇧 Obviously a huge British contingent has descended on the Badminton estate. Here’s some highlights:

💎 World No. 5 Harry Meade is making history with three Badminton entries this year. He’ll bring Burghley third-placer Cavalier Crystal into the ring first – they go at 9:16am BST / 4:16am ET / 10:16am CEST. Harry’ll be back with us at 4:16pm BST / 11:16am ET / 5:16pm CEST with 5* stalwart Away Cruising.

💎 Everyone’s favorite video game star, three-time Badminton champion, Olympic silver medalist and former European Champion Pippa Funnell has two shots at another win this year; she’ll canter up the center line today with Majas Hope at 9:48am BST / 4:48am ET / 10:48am CEST.

💎 Former World and European Champion and Olympic silver medalist Zara Tindall missed out on Badminton last year as she was busy at her uncle’s Coronation; she’s here this year with Class Affair – they go at 10:48am BST / 5:48am ET / 11:48am CEST.

💎 Two-time British U25 Champion Bubby Upton’s back after a serious injury last year; she comes forward with Cola, who she finished 8th on last season – they go at 10:56am BST / 5:56am ET / 11:56am CEST.

💎 Finish-on-their-dressage specialists David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed were runners-up at Burghley and sixth here last year – they go at 11:48am BST / 6:48am ET / 12:48pm CEST.

💎 Youngest rider in the field for three years running, Alice Casburn brings second generation homebred Topspin forward at 12:12pm BST / 6:12am ET / 1:12pm CEST.

💎 Multi-Olympic, World Championship and European medalist and winner of five of the seven 5*s William Fox-Pitt is here with Maryland runner-up Grafennacht – they go at 3:03pm BST / 10:03am ET / 4:03m CEST.

🇮🇪 Hoping for the luck of the Irish, five horse and rider combinations from the Emerald Isle are joining us for this year’s Badminton. Today we’ll see EquiRatings’ stats geek and World Championships silver medalist Sam Watson with SAP Talisman at 10:24am BST / 5:24am ET / 11:24am CEST; Georgie Goss brings forward 5* first-timer Feloupe at 11:56am BST / 6:56am ET / 12:56pm CEST; and Irish top team member and World Championships silver medalist Sarah Ennis enters the ring with Grantstown Jackson at 2:31pm BST / 9:31am ET / 3:31pm CEST.

🇫🇷 There are five Frenchmen in the field. Having their turn between the white boards today are European medalist and fellow with French flair to spare Gaspard Maksud with one of the smallest and youngest horses in the field Kan-Do 2 – they go at 2:23pm BST / 9:23am ET / 2:23pm CEST; and amateur rider and full-time farrier Florian Ganneval brings Badminton debutant Blue Bird De Beaufour forward at 2:47pm BST / 9:47am ET / 3:47pm CEST.

🇦🇺 Both Aussie Badminton entries will get their campaigns underway today. Adelaide 5* runner-up and third place finisher Sammi Birch will come up the center line with Finduss PB at 11:32am BST / 6:32am ET / 12:32pm CEST; and eventing veteran and World Championships rider Bill Levett brings Huberthus AC forward at 2:15pm BST / 9:13am ET / 3:15pm CEST.

🇳🇿 There are six riders in the Kiwi camp this year, all of whom we’ll see tomorrow, including Olympic medalist and Burghley winner Caroline Powell who has two rides here, so will go today also. She’s second into the ring with 5* first-timer CBI Aldo at 9:08am BST / 4:08am ET / 10:08am CEST.

🇨🇭 Sole Swiss representative, Olympian and birthday boy Luhmuhlen winner, Felix Vogg is here with his World and European Championships partner Cartania – they go at 10:32am BST / 5:32am ET / 11:32am CEST.

Phew! If you were doubting the strength of this field before, I will just say, I informed you thusly.

I clearly couldn’t highlight everyone, even though they’re obviously all awesome, so here’s the full list of entries.

If you’re yearning for even more insight into the combinations who’ll be cantering up the center line as we get the 75th edition of Badminton underway, then you’re in need of EN’s epic Form Guide, which you’ll find right here.

Paving the way for all his fellow Badminton competitors will be Britain’s Tom Jackson with the first of his two rides Farndon – they’ll enter the ring at 9am BST / 4am ET / 10am CEST.

If you want to see when your favorites are going, you’ll find the ride times here.

As you know, here at EN we’re true eventing geeks, happy to wear our fingers down to stumps in order to bring you all the content you can handle. This week, we’ve got you covered with live blogs following every single step the runners and riders take in the dressage, cross country and the finale of the show jumping, and we’ll be wrangling together daily reports from every stage of the competition, cluing you up with a cross country course preview and giving you the low-down on what the riders think of the fences they’ll be facing when they leave the start box on Saturday. Keep it locked on to EN and click here for all of our blood, sweat and tears – go on eventing nerds, you know you want to. 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, let’s kick on and get the 75th anniversary edition of MARS Badminton Horse Trials underway.

Let’s get wild with the wonder as our stars shine bright at Badminton, 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]

The 75th edition of MARS Badminton Horse Trials is underway and we have good news for our Stateside fans in terms of the overnight leaderboard:

1️⃣ Heading the charge and in the lead overnight is Great Britain’s Bubby Upton with Cola on a score of 27.3.
2️⃣ Not quite 2 points behind is the USA’s – Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg on 29.
3️⃣ And 0.8 behind, rounding out the top three as things stand, we have another US rider – Tiana Coudray with Cancaras Girl on 29.8.

Click here for the full scoreboard.

I’ve had tears and cheers (and a sob or two), a dead mouse to deal with (although last year I had a live one running ‘round my living room while I had my feet up on the couch – and kept typing)… and we’ve seen so much exciting dressage. What a sport. What a first day. Bring on the next!

I’ll see you right back here tomorrow (well, on a new post, make sure you click on tomorrow’s live blog unless you’re into having a Groundhog Day, then by all means have at this one again, and again…) – set your reminder for 9am BST / 4am ET / 10am CEST.

We’ll have a round-up of all that went down between the white boards today for you very soon – eyes on EN.

Also coming up, we’ll be back with live updates from Saturday’s cross country and the finale of Sunday’s show jumping, and there’ll be daily round-up reports, well, daily. Keep it locked onto EN and in the meantime, click here for all the Badminton content you can handle.

Before we go I have to salute the eventing die-hards in the States who’ve been here for the whole damn dressage day and got up basically in the middle of the night – all hail the eventing nerds!

Until tomorrow ENers, go eventing!

11:24am ET

🇬🇧 Nicky Hill and MGH Bingo Boy

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 20th Burghley
2019 – 18th Badminton, 27th Burghley
2018 – 20th Pau

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 18th (19)
Burghley – 20th (23) 27th (19)
Pau – 20 (18)

🏸 form: 2 starts, 1 completion – WD after XC in 2022

🎓 Nicky has a degree in Biology and Sport Science.
⛷️ She’s a keen skier and climber.

📋 They put down a 36.8 at Burghley last season and a 35.8 at Badminton.

‘Bing’ has wings:

Today’s Test:

Nicky and Bingo Boy canter up the center line to wrap up today’s dressage at Badminton. They get off to a confident start and that really comes out in the medium trot for an 8 and a 7. This early work is soft and fluid and Bingo Boy really looks to have a very nice trot. But she goes for the extended and they break into canter – it’s 4s across the board for that. Nicky’s really riding positively and sometimes that risk means there may be a mistake, but without it, the top scores aren’t available to you.

Nicky doesn’t let it put her off and she continues to ride bravely in the walk, encouraging Bingo Boy forward. They’re a little abrupt into the halt, which scores two 6s and a 5, and the reinback is slightly sticky. But they get a good strike off into canter.

Bingo Boy is very on Nicky’s aids for the first change. There could be a little more bend in the lateral work, but Bingo Boy is clearly working hard for Nicky and everything is happening accurately. She pushes forward for the extended canter but it could have had a little more push for higher marks. The final change is accurate and they make their way up the center line to finish up the day.

There’s some sideways galloping when the crowd cheers but that doesn’t matter. Overall there’s been a lot to like in this test. They were a picture of a horse and rider working together and delivering a clear round on the whole.

Nicky Hill and MGH Bingo Boy score 37.8.

11:16am ET

🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Away Cruising

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 16th Badminton, 27th Burghley
2022 – 29th Badminton
2018 – 16th Badminton, 6th Burghley
2017 – 14th Luhmuhlen, 15th Burghley

⚫ Away Cruising is known as ‘Spot’ in the barn.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 5th (21)
Badminton – 16th (23) 16th (18) 3rd (14) 10th (09)
Luhmuhlen – 5th (23)
Burghley – 3rd (23) 6th (18) 15th (17)
Maryland – 7th (22)
Pau – 24th (22)

🏸 form: 12 completions, 6 top-20 finishes, 2 Armada Dishes

5️⃣ World No. 5
🥈 World Championships team silver 2014

🎓 Harry has a degree in Art History.
💍 He proposed to his wife during a Badminton course walk.

📋 He posted a 36 at Burghley last season and a 29 at Badminton, a PB at the level.

Spot doing his best kite impression:

Today’s Test:

Away Cruising wondered whether to give the crowd a wave at the Horse Inspection yesterday, let’s hope he keeps all four feet on the ground for his test today.

They come up the center line and get off to a great start with an 8, 7 and 7.5 for an excellent square halt. They get off in trot and show Spot really flicks his toes out in the medium – he’s really expressive. There’s huge movement in the front legs but not so much push through from the back, which does keep his marks from being super high. He looks lovely and soft though and very rideable. There is some teeth grinding going on, showing a little tension, and that does show up a bit as they move into walk.

The extended walk scores 6.5s across the board, which is kind of how they’ve consistently been scoring. Spot steps back slightly in the halt at C but they get a good strike off into canter. The canter is lovely and balanced and the first change is very clean and gets a 7 from the judge at B. The second change is similar. Spot seems to be getting tighter as this test goes on, but he’s still listening to Harry and looks to be very confident in his work. The extended canter shows off his scope with a 7.5 and 7 in the scores for that, and there’s good stretch in the circle for two 7s. All the changes have been accurate and clean, just as the whole test has been – a clear round.

There’s a cheer for this popular pair at the end of their test and Harry gives Spot a big pat. He kind of looks disappointed, knowing this won’t be the best of their scores, but overall this was a display of great dressage riding and a lovely horse who tried hard for Harry.

Harry Meade and Away Cruising score 34.6.

11:08am ET

🇬🇧 Kristina Hall-Jackson and CMS Google

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 29th Badminton, 21st Burghley
2022 – 25th Burghley

🎁 Google is officially the best Christmas present ever!
👻 This quirky mare is scared of the dark.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 29th (23)
Burghley – 21st (23) 25th (22)

🏸 form: 1 start and 1 completion – 29th Badminton 23

👶 Kristina’s been riding since she was 18 months old.
🤩 She was part of the Wesko Equestrian Foundation under the mentorship of Pippa Funnell and now trains with Badminton winner and British Eventing High Performance Coach Christopher Bartle.

📋 They put down a 32.4 at Burghley last season and a PB of 30.9 at Badminton.

Big pats for a Badminton debut cross country completion:

Today’s Test:

Google was characteristically looky as she made her way down the jog strip yesterday. Hopefully she’s seen everything she was looking for and looks where she’s going in the ring today. She sure looks a picture as she canters ’round the ring waiting for the bell. Kristina gives the judges a smile as she passes them.

The bell rings and they make their way up the center line. Google is dead straight down the mown line, but then the halt is slightly crooked, she popped her head up and didn’t quite bring her hind leg through. They set off into trot and Google is really very expressive – it’s two 7s and a 7.5 for the medium. This mare really does have a lovely way of going, she’s very balanced and supple looking. This pair really do know each other so well and we’re clearly seeing a relationship that’s harmonious.

They transition to walk and Google starts off reasonably relaxed, it’s a bit tentative though. For higher marks it would really need to be more purposeful, but Kristina obviously knows her girl and how much she can ask for. She opts not to push for the extended, probably a smart decision as we see how excited Google is under the surface when she braces in the halt and then rushes through the reinback.

Kristina will be glad to get into canter. Google seems to relax some once she gets going and there is a nice quality to her work. Here ears are forward and she looks happy. Unfortunately she breaks momentarily, just a tiny, tiny moment, almost like she caught her toe, but she’s very quickly back on track. They score two 7s for the extended canter and then the stretch circle is very helpful to Kristina as an opportunity to rebalance before the final change. They come up the center line and halt and there’s a big clap for them. Google really does show she was excited as she jiggy jogs her way out and Kristina visibly gives a sigh of relief.

Overall this was a really nice test that showed just what a special partnership this pair have. There were a couple of expensive moments, but a lot of great work and lots of potential on show.

Kristina Hall-Jackson and CMS Google score 36.2.

11am ET

🇺🇲 Cosby Green and Copper Beach

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 16th Pau
2018 – 10th Kentucky (with Buck Davidson)
2017 – 27th Pau (with Buck)
2016 – 20th Kentucky (with Buck)

⏩ Copper Beach is a former Buck Davidson ride, Cosby took over the reins in 2020.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: 16th Pau 23

🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut.

🤩 Cosby made the trip from the US to the UK with three of her horses last season to be based with fellow Badminton competitors Tim and Jonelle Price. She’s also trained with another Badminton competitor and fellow US rider, Allie Knowles.

📋 At Pau they put down a 35.1 in the first phase; at 4* they’re generally low- to mid-30s.

Cosby’s jumping at the chance to train with her idols:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Copper Beach took to the jog strip like the old pro that he is yesterday. Let’s hope he’s such a good boy between the white boards today.

This is the third 18-year-old horse we’re seeing in a row – what a testament it is to everyone who works with these horses that they can come out at this stage in their careers, at the top level, looking fit and well and totally up for the challenge.

They get off to a solid start but there’s a little crossing of Copper Beach’s legs in the halt. They set off in trot and the horse looks rideable and in a good rhythm. Everything’s very smooth and flowing and they pull in two 7s for the first 8m circle. The scores are creeping up. Cosby really shows a difference in the extended trot and Copper Beach is keeping a very good frame throughout all of these first movements.

Copper Beach relaxes nicely into the contact through the extended walk, although there is a lot of tail swishing going on. They score two 7s and a 6.5 for that. He’s really stepping out nicely in the walk, and the halt at C is very good for another two 7s. The reinback starts off slightly out of sequence, which is picked up with a 5.5 by the judge at C; two 7s from the other judges.

The canter work is very similar to the trot work – it’s clean and accurate and Copper Beach is really working with Cosby. She pushes for the extended canter which scores two 7s and then Copper Beach happily stretches for her when she asks for the circle. The final change is another clean one and the halt at the end is very square.

Cosby looks very pleased with what’s been a solid clear round in the first phase for her. There’s massive pats for Copper Beach and a big smile on her face. Copper Beach is relaxed walking out after a job very well done. They go into the top ten as things stand. A great Badminton start for this exciting young talent, and her experienced ride.

Cosby Green and Copper Beach score 33.7.

10:52am ET

🇬🇧 Georgia Bartlett and Spano de Nazca

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his debut at the level at Badminton last year – looking for his first completion here this week.
Recent form: 16th in the 4*-L at Blenheim last season where he was clear inside the time.

🪜 This partnership has been together for 9 years and Georgia has produced ‘Nono’ from BE100 all the way to 5*. At 23 Georgia’s one of the youngest riders in the field, and at 18 Nono’s one of the oldest horses.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: Made her debut at Badminton last year.

🏸 form: 2023 – retired on XC

👖 Georgia’s parents met at a British Junior team training camp.

📋 This pair put down a PB at 4 & 5* of 31.2 in the first phase last year.

What a time to break out your best score:

Today’s Test:

Georgia gets her Badminton underway with a very good square halt. Nono is working nicely for her at the start of their test and is trotting in a very nice rhythm. There’s a bit of tail swishing hinting at underlying excitement, but he’s listening and trying his best for Georgia. His ears are relaxed and forward but he drops behind the leg a little in the second 8m circle and a bit of a wobble in the shoulder-in, but so far this test is very accurate and the horse looks nicely rideable.

We’ve lost the individual movement scores again sorry.

He’s relaxed enough in the walk but it’s a bit tentative, almost like he’s holding his breath. He’s very still in the halt and the reinback is accurate. They set off into canter and he brings his quarters in a little at the end of the medium canter – a little tension creeping in perhaps. He’s still listening though and working hard. This pair are obviously a really nice partnership.

There are a couple of mistakes creeping in, with his quarters leading slightly in the half-pass and then again at the end of the extended canter, which leads to a break in the canter at the start of the stretch circle and a couple of trot steps. It’s really well rescued by Georgia though.

They finish up in a lovely square halt and Georgia looks to be very happy with Nono, who’s her youth championships horse. They made a really nice picture as they worked together in the Main Arena, a very solid partnership and a horse and rider who obviously know each other inside and out.

We’re waiting on their score, I’ll update as soon as possible.

Georgia Bartlett and Spano de Nazca score 37.4. (Updated)

10:44am ET

🇬🇧 Helen Martin and Andreas

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut at Badminton last year but an unlucky rider fall means he’s looking for his first completion.
Recent form: 19th in the 4*-L at Blenheim last season; 1st in the 4*-L at Kronenberg in 2022.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: Made her 5* debut at Badminton last season.

🍃 Helen’s based on the family farm just 30 minutes down the road from Badminton – ‘Alfie’ can smell the turf on the Badminton cross country course when the wind’s blowing the right way.

📋 He put down a 32.8 at Badminton on his debut at the level. He’s generally low- to mid-30s at 4*.

Making dreams come true at Badminton last year, and hopefully more this week:

Today’s Test:

Oh dear, the crowd’s applause for the previous rider has really upset Alfie. There’s a real struggle going on for Helen outside the ring. This is really not ideal. He’s very, very upset.

She gets him into the ring and Alfie is still very worked up by all the excitement. Poor Helen is having a real job. Such a shame at the start of their test, but Helen’s a pro and really does get Alfie settled in as quickly as she can.

As he settles into his work, Alfie is starting to pull in some nice marks for his trot. This really is a striking horse, with so much presence and potential to spare. They end up with some 7s in the later trot work. This is very impressive after such a difficult start.

Alfie is surprisingly relaxed in the walk work and pulls in 7s across the board for the extended. He looks absolutely beautiful with his very pretty quarter marks shining in the sun. Unfortunately the halt at C is not a happy moment for them and the reinback isn’t really backwards, more sideways, and not accurate – 2s and 3s for that. But they go off into canter and you can clearly see that all the training is there, and the capability. The lower marks really are a product of circumstance. They score 7s across the board for the second change and for the half-pass right. Helen obviously can’t push for the extended canter but the quality of this horse’s paces means there’s still a 7 in the scores. There is some nice stretch in the circle and then a very accurate flying change to finish which scores a 7 and a 7.5.

Alfie’s going sideways as the crowd claps as they halt. What a disappointment for Helen. A total shame, but Helen really delivered an excellent performance and Alfie really did show off what a super dressage test he could do, just not with the atmosphere he found himself in at the start of his test. Onward to the cross country.

Helen Martin and Andreas score 38.2.

10:36am ET

🇺🇲 Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: This mare made her 5* debut at Burghley last year but was eliminated on the cross country after Tiana’s air jacket went off following a mishap – and save of the day – early on course. She tried to continue but have you tried breathing in one of those things once it’s inflated?!

Recent form: 19th in the 4*-S in Kronenberg this season.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: Burghley 2023 was her first time at the level since 2014.

🏸 form: 25th 2014; 17th 2013

🔥 Represented Team USA at London 2012.

💃 As a teenager, Tiana competed at 5 Irish Dancing World Championships.

📋 This mare put down a PB of 32.1 at Burghley last year. Generally, her form at 4* is low- to mid-30s.

Tiana’s looking for redemption at Badminton:

Today’s Test:

And we’re back underway with the final session of today’s dressage from Badminton. I can report that the sun is still shining at Badminton. Onto Tiana and Cancaras Girl’s test…

Cancaras Girl gave the crowd a little wave at the Horse Inspection yesterday. Hopefully she got that out of her system for today.

Cancaras Girl looks nicely relaxed as she makes her way around the ring. There’s a tiny distraction as they turn into the arena and the mare loses her rhythm slightly but Tiana gets her straight back ad they score an 8, 7 and 7.5 for the halt. This horse has a very expressive trot and are rewarded in the medium with a 7.5 and two 7s. There’s so much flow in her trot steps, and she’s clearly very supple, which she shows off in the lateral work. There’s a 7.5 and two 7s for the extended. The early part of this test has been very impressive.

They transition into walk and Cancaras Girl stretches forward in the extended and shows lots of overtrack – that gets two 7s. The mare is nice and relaxed in the walk although the tension starts to creep in towards the end and the scores drop slightly for the medium. There was slight anticipation into the halt but the reinback is accurate and they set off in canter.

The first change is super accurate for two 7.5s and a 7 and the second one is better with an 8 from the judge at C. The canter work is very smooth and uphill and Tiana really goes for the extended – two 7s and a 7.5 for that. Cancaras Girl comes back nicely but doesn’t really want to stretch in the first part of the circle, Tiana encourages her though and it finishes up very nicely. The final change is excellent is gets two 8s and a 7. There’s a massive cheer from the crowd as they halt which spooks Cancaras Girl. She’s trotting off, showing just what a lovely job Tiana did keeping her relaxed throughout that test when she’s obviously feeling the atmosphere. There are still big cheers going on. A really great start to their Badminton.

Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl score 29.8.

10:11am ET

We’re heading into a short break now. Back in around 25 minutes – at 10:36am ET / 4:36pm CEST.

10:03am ET

🇬🇧 William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 14th Badminton, 2nd Maryland

😂 William describes ‘Lillie’ as a “tough old wench”. Safe to say, that’s 100% a compliment when you’re talking about a 5* event horse!

Rider:
Ridiculously impressive 5⭐ form: Won 5 of the 7 5*s!
🏆 WINS:
Kentucky – 10, 12, 14
Badminton – 04 & 15
Luhmuhlen – 08
Burghley – 94, 02, 05, 07, 08, 11
Pau – 11 & 13

🏸 form: 24 completions on 16 different horses – made his debut in 1989 – 5 Armada Dishes, 2 wins, 3 2nds, 1 3rd

1️⃣ 4 time World No. 1
🔥 5 time Olympian
🗺️ 4 World Championships

🥇🥈🥉World Championships team bronze 2002, 14th individually; team silver 2006, 15th individually; team gold & individual silver 2010; team silver & individual bronze 2014
🥇🥈🥉 European team gold 1995, 5th individually; team gold & individual silver 1997; team gold 2001, 6th individually; team gold 2003, 8th individually; team gold & individual silver 2005; team gold 2009, 4th individually; team bronze 2011, 7th individually; individual bronze 2013; team silver 2015

🐣 William’s hobby outside horses is breeding chickens.

📋 They put down a 26.1 at Maryland last season on their way to 2nd place; it was a 25.8 in the first phase at Badminton. Eyes on this one 👀 Lillie’s amongst the best dressage horses in field according to EquiRatings.

Lillie wondering what the serious face is for:

Photo by Sally Spickard.

Today’s Test:

William will take us into a short break. He’s certainly taking his time coming into the ring and Boyd Martin in the commentary box is a little concerned – but he enters with 1 second to spare, total pro.

They have a perfect square halt but then Lillie looks up and steps back – that scores 5s across the board. Of course William puts it straight behind him, gets off in trot and pulls out two 7.5s for the medium. Lillie looks a bit up on her toes but William is a master and the work is of such a great quality that it’s pulling in 7s and 7.5s. William’s giving away nothing and riding totally accurately for every mark.

Lillie continues to look a little unsettled in the walk, there a bobble of the head every now and then. They score 7s across the board for the extended walk. Lillie makes up for the first halt in the second, but then there’s an extra step in the reinback. William will be glad to get into canter.

Lillie definitely looks happier in the canter, she’s settling into the test now. There’s a 7.5 for the first change. The lateral work is really very subtle and the marks are creeping up and up, there’s an 8 for the half-pass right. They get two 7s and a 7.5 for the extended and it’s the best stretch circle we’ve seen according to Boyd – an 8 from H, 7 from B and 6.5 from C.

They finish up in a very square halt after a final change which scored two 7s. The final halt gets an 8 and two 7s. Lots of very good scores in this test, but a few that will have dropped them down. William obviously looks cool, calm, and collected. As always. They go into equal third as things stand.

William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht score 30.6.

9:55am ET

🇬🇧 Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ first-timer
Recent form: 17th in the 4*-L at Blenheim last season.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: 23rd Luhmuhlen 23

🏸 form: Making his Badminton debut.

📋 At 4* Ballycoog Breaker Boy is proving himself to be a low-30s kind of guy.

Best foot forward:

Today’s Test:

Here’s Will and ‘William’. (Yes, Ballycoog Breaker Boy’s barn name is William.)

Will bravely showed a fair bit of mankle on the jog strip at yesterday’s Horse Inspection – it’s rather chilly for that kind of thing over here in Britain, so props to him.

William gets off to a great start with two 7s and a 7.5 for the halt. More great marks come in as they get their trot work underway – two 8s come in for the medium that really was brave and bold. But then, there’s a real problem in the extended – Wills pushes for it and William breaks into canter, he struggles to get it back and it doesn’t end up happening – that scores 2, 2, 1 and the following transition is expensive also. Such a shame as this had started off brilliantly – but there was a lot of risk taken by Wills, which is obviously the way to go for the big marks, it doesn’t unfortunately always pay off though.

Everything does start to settle down though and they’re back together for the walk work, which is surprisingly relaxed. The canter work gets off to a good start and the scores are back up, but as it goes on you can see that William’s a bit on his toes. Wills is really holding everything together masterfully though and the movements are accurate. The extended canter pulls in two 7s and a 6.5. The final change is expensive – 4s across the board – but they finish up in a square halt for two 7s.

There’s a massive clap and cheer from the crowd in appreciation of Wills’ brilliant riding. There is so much potential in this horse, the early work really was beautiful, just the atmosphere was a bit tricky today for him.

Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy score 36.1.

9:47am ET

🇫🇷 Florian Ganneval and Blue Bird De Beaufour

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 26th Luhmuhlen, 17th Pau
2021 – 24th Pau

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Luhmuhlen – 26th (23)
Pau – 17th (23) 24th (21)

🏸 form: Making his Badminton debut.

🔗 Florian’s dad runs the barn at home and also grooms for Florian at competitions.

🐴 In real life, Florian’s a full-time farrier.

📋 He posted a 33.7 at Pau last season, and a 36.3 at Luhmuhlen. It was a 36.1 at Pau in 2022 and 33.4 on his debut at the level.

Let’s do this thing:

Florian Ganneval with Blue Bird de Beaufour. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

They make a very confident entry up the center line and, although it takes a little step, deliver a square halt. The relationship between this two is very clear from the outset, they really are a picture of a pair working together. There’s a very nice rhythm and balance to this horse’s trot work and it’s pulling in some 7s. Blue Bird really does look rideable and correct, he’s in a good frame and is really listening to Florian.

They transition to walk and Blue Bird is very relaxed. He takes the contact forward in the extended but there’s not really the push for the high marks – it scores a 6.5 and 6s. There’s the hint of a jog going into the halt but Florian checks it and the actual halt is good enough for two 7s. The reinback isn’t so smooth but they set off into canter.

The first change is late behind but the scores are OK – there’s a 6, 5 and 5.5. Blue Bird is a little unsettled in some of the canter work, but he’s delivering clean changes and the extended canter is very bold – Florian really went for it, two 7s for that. Blue Bird really loves the stretch in the circle, he reaches right down and then comes back neatly to finish up the next couple of movements to end his test.

Florian looks very happy with that, and so he should. Blue Bird was relaxed and very comfortable in his work, well within himself. A very solid start to their Badminton.

Florian Ganneval and Blue Bird De Beaufour score 34.7.

9:38am ET

🇨🇦 Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 19th Kentucky, 11th Burghley
2022 – 19th Maryland

🏇 Wabbit is a full Thoroughbred – he earned $2200 in five racing starts, but clearly he was made for eventing.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 19th (23) 21st (22) 15th (19) 17th (17)
Burghley – 11th (23)
Maryland – 19th (22) 21st (21)

🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut.

🥇🥈 Pan-Ams individual gold & team silver 2011; individual silver & team bronze 2015; team bronze 2019
🔥 London 2012; Rio 2016
🗺️ World Championships 2010, 2014, 2018

📋 They put down a 34.9 at Burghley last year, and a 39.4 at Kentucky. Wabbit’s got speed and power to spare, it’s just a case of containing that between the white boards before it’s unleashed on Saturday.

Run Wabbit, Run:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Props to Wabbit’s groom, he was white as white at the Horse Inspection. (How do they keep the 💩 out of his tail? I could do with some tips.) And he looks just as stunning in the Badminton sunshine today.

This guy looks to be relaxed as he canters ’round the ring waiting for the bell. They come straight up the center line, there’s the hint of a walk step into the halt, but they get off cleanly into trot. Wabbit’s really flicking his toes as he trots ’round the Main Arena, he’s obviously excited for Saturday but he’s being a really good boy and keeping it under wraps thus far. He could have a little more bend and show more suppleness for the bigger marks in the lateral work, but he’s scoring consistently in the 6s and 6.5s at this point in the test.

The transition to walk is smooth and Wabbit’s trying really hard to stay calm, but every now and then we can see that’s he could pop at any point. Jessie’s managing to keep him in walk though, no jiggy jogging is going on, but it’s obviously tricky – a lot of 5s for the walk. The halt is also tricky and the reinback scores 4s across the board as it wasn’t really straight. They get off on the wrong lead, but Jessie fixes it. They’re off into canter though now and Wabbit seems to be settling.

Jessie’s doing a great job of sitting calm and supporting Wabbit. The canter work is accurate but she obviously can’t push in the extended, although it scores a 7, 6.5 and 6 – she’s going for a clear round. They come back up the center line and kind of dribble into the halt slightly, Wabbit’s not sure about standing still, he knows it’s cross country time for him now. Jessie’s smiling though.

This was a really great showing from Jessie, she kept a horse that was clearly up on his toes very much on the job for his dressage test. He’s properly jiggy jogging on the way out and very excited for what’s to come.

Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit score 40.3.

9:31am ET

🇮🇪 Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: 22nd Pau 23

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 32nd (17) 34th (16) 38th (13)
Pau – 22nd (23)

🏸 form: 3 completions

🥈 World Championships team silver 2018, 5th individually
🔥 Tokyo 2020 Olympics; World Championships 2014 & 2018; European Championships 2013, 2017, 2019, 2023

🤿 Water jumps won’t phase Sarah – when she’s not on horseback she loves to sail and is a qualified Dive Master.

📋 They put down a 36.9 at Pau. He’s generally a mid- to high-30s kind of guy, but he’s not averse to dipping a hoof in the 40s.

Flying the flag for Ireland:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Sarah and Grantstown Jackson come into the ring and get off to a good start. He’s a little curled up, showing a bit of tension in the huge atmosphere, but he relaxes as he gets into his trot work and scores 7s across the board for the extended. He’s showing nice bend and suppleness in the lateral work for more 7s.

They make the transition into walk and the gelding looks to be slightly on his toes, but he’s trying to keep it under wraps. Sarah can’t push for the biggest marks in the extended but it scores two 7s. The halt is square and the reinback really clean – that scores two 7s as well.

They get off into canter and Grantstown Jackson seems very comfortable in his work. The first change is slightly past the center line but it’s clean. The second change isn’t quite as good and there are a couple of 5s in the scores there. The extended canter is a clear difference and scores a 7. The change before it is a bit of a miss though and pulled the marks down a bit – there was a 4 and a 2 in the marks for that. The final one is much better though for 6s and a 6.5.

They finish up with a good halt for two 7s and there’s a clap from the crowd and bum pats for Grantstown Jackson. Overall that was a clear round in the dressage for them and now they get to think about cross country, where this horse is truly one that’ll shine.

Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson score 36.4.

9:23am ET

🇫🇷 Gaspard Maksud and Kan-Do 2

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: 28th Pau 23

👶 Kan-Do 2 is one of the smallest and youngest horses in the field – he’s 15.2 an 10-years-old.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: Made his 5* debut alongside Kan-Do 2 at Pau last season.

🏸 form: Making his Badminton debut.

🥉 European Championships team bronze 2023, 8th individually
🗺️ World Championships – 6th individually 2022 with Zaragoza, finishing on their dressage score

🤩 Gaspard made the move to Britain in 2013 and based himself with Andrew Nicholson before going on to work with Sam Griffiths the following year.

🏉 He had other sporting dreams, before eventing – he wanted to play rugby however… “I didn’t really have the size and when the other players started to think I was the ball, it was time for me to change sports!”. Rugby’s loss is for sure eventing’s gain Gaspard!

📋 They put down a 37.1 at Pau last season, and aren’t averse to dipping a hoof in the 40s at 4*.

Gaspard brings a bit of fun and French flair to the Horse Inspection:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Gaspard did not disappoint yesterday at the Horse Inspection with his frog beret – whimsy and wit all in one hat.

Gaspard looks to mean business as he enters the ring, but a slight step back in the first halt means two 5s and a 6 to get them started. Kan-Do looks a little tight as they get off into his trot work, but seems to be relaxing as things go on and the marks are creeping up to 6s and 6.5s. This horse is clearly very powerful and doesn’t look the easiest to balance.

They go into walk and Kan-Do is nice and relaxed. They get two 7s for the extended walk, a reward for the impressive overstep that Kan-Do shows. He’s really got a very good walk, this horse. The halt gets a 7.5 from one of the judges and the reinback is accurate.

They get off into canter and there are some conversations happening between Gaspard and the gelding. His head comes up every now and then, but he is still performing all of the movements accurately. Gaspard can’t really push in the extended, Kan-Do’s looking a little like he’d much rather be on the cross country. There’s a lot of horse here to balance in the ring and Gaspard’s really showing us how to manage a bit of a tricky horse in this phase.

There’s a whole bunch of French flair in the salute and a big pat for Kan-Do. Overall, this was a solid kind of test, everything happened and nothing went wrong but there’s some things to work on as this young horse continues his education. Kan-Do 2 looks incredibly pleased with himself as the crowd cheers as they leave the arena.

Gaspard Maksud and Kan-Do 2 score 38.1.

9:15am ET

🇦🇺 William Levett and Huberthus AC

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – Badminton – Retired after a 20 out on course in the tricky conditions; Luhmuhlen – EL XC

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 15th (19) 18th (15)
Luhmuhlen – 6th & 13th (16)

🏸 form: 7 completions, best place 7th in 2010.

🗺️ Bill has represented Australia at the World Championships twice, in 1990 and 2014.

👖 Bill is dad to 19-year-old twins who are both equestrians in their own right – his son competes in eventing and his daughter in vaulting.

📋 ‘Bart’ put down a 30.1 in the first phase at Luhmuhlen last season and a 32.5 here.

Back at Badminton hoping for better weather:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Bill and Bart are getting us back underway after the lunch break at Badminton (some satisfying alliteration to start us off).

Bart looks nice and relaxed as they wait for the bell. Bill takes his time before cantering up the center line. They have a very elegant entry and finish up with a square halt, with just a tiny jiggle. Bart really is light on his feet in the trot work, really working on the top of the ground. He looks relaxed and rideable and very soft. There’s a bit of tail swishing but it seems like that’s just his way based on the relaxation through his body. They’ve got off to a very accurate start.

They make the transition into walk and Bill really lets his reins loosen in the extended walk – very brave. Bart does take the contact forward, but there’s a tiny wiggle through his body, a little unstable. But he’s really very relaxed in the Main Arena.

The halt and reinback are accurate. I’m really sorry but we’ve lost the individual movement scores from the feed. But this horse and rider really are making a lovely picture of harmony and Bart seems very comfortable in his work.

There really hasn’t been anything wrong with this test. The canter is very much like the trot work – it looks rideable and clean. There could be a little more stretch forward in the circle, Bart does stretch but curls in the neck slightly rather than out – the scores are back and it’s 6s across the board for that. The final change gets a 5, 6 and 7. The final halt is fine and there’s a big clap from the afternoon crowd.

Overall this was a solid kind of test, rideable and a pleasure to watch a horse and rider working very nicely together.

William Levett and Huberthus AC score 35.8. (Updated)

7:28am ET

We’re heading into the lunch/breakfast if you’re Stateside break now.

We’ve got two sub-30 scores leading the way and three nations represented in the top-3 thus far.

Here’s how things stand:

In the lead is Bubby Upton and Cola for Great Britain – they’re on a score of 27.3.
Taking second spot is Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg for the USA – they’re on 29.
And rounding out the top three is Ireland’s Georgie Goss with Feloupe – they’re on 30.6.

Enjoy your lunch / breakfast depending on where you are in the world.
Back in around 1 hour 45 minutes – at 9:15am ET / 3:15pam CEST.

7:20am ET

🇬🇧 Rosie Bradley-Hole and Romantic

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ first-timer
Recent form: 3rd in the 4*-L at Blair Castle last fall.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: 47th Badminton 22

🏸 form: Completed on her debut in 2022.

🎓 As well as being a top-level eventer, Rosie has a law degree.

📋 Their form is generally mid-30s at 4*, although they sometimes have a hoof in the 40s.

Prepping for the big B and keeping her fingers crossed:

Today’s Test:

This is our last combination before the lunch break.

Rosie was successfully rocking the cowgirl look with boots and a hat at yesterday’s Horse Inspection – she got her Badminton off with a win on the jog strip, taking one of the best dressed awards.

Romantic looks to be a very nice stamp of a horse as he makes his way around the outside of the ring – so strong and powerful, real solid looking. They make their way straight up the center line and get their Badminton underway with a square halt. There’s a little wobble in the move off but Rosie puts it behind her and they get off into their trot work.

This horse looks secure in everything that’s being asked of him – he doesn’t have the biggest movement and there are tiny losses of rhythm every now and then, but overall he’s performing everything accurately. The marks are consistently 6s and 6.5s with a few 7s coming in also.

They make the transition into walk and look to be relaxed. Again, there’s no big movements, so the scores are in the 6s on the whole, but there’s nothing going wrong either. The halt is very secure at C and Romantic is very clearly happy and confident in the reinback. They strike off into canter with a smooth transition.

The canter work is similar to what’s gone before it – everything is clean and accurate and scores in the 6s. The first change is very good but there’s a bit of a muddle in the preparation for the second one; the third is more clearer.

The extended canter gets a 7 from the judge at B but there’s not a lot of stretch in the circle. The final change is really affected by the unbalance in the preparation for it and scores a 2, 3 and 4. They end up with a 7 for the final halt though.

There was a mixed bag of scores here, but overall this horse looked to be trying really hard and delivered a clear round. There’s a cheer from the crowd and a big pat for Romantic.

Rosie Bradley-Hole and Romantic score 38.

7:12am ET

🇬🇧 Alice Casburn and Topspin

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 18th Badminton, 7th Burghley
2022 – 19th Badminton, 5th Burghley, 19th Pau

🌱 ‘Spinach’ is a second generation homebred who still lives in the same stall he was born in. Alice’s mom competed his grandmother.
🎾 All the Casburn homebreds have tennis-related names.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 18th (23) 19th (22)
Burghley – 7th (23) 5th (22)
Pau – 19th (21)

🏸 form: Alice and Topspin finished in the top 20 in 2022; she was the highest-placed under-25, and the pair made the biggest climb up the leaderboard.

👶 This is the third year running that Alice has been the youngest competitor.

📋 They put down a 35.8 in the first phase at both Badminton and Burghley last season.

All smiles as they win team gold and individual bronze at the Young Rider European Championships in 2022:

Today’s Test:

Alice was rocking the leopard print look at the Horse Inspection yesterday with some very cool pants. She’s more traditionally dressed today in white breeches. I’m kind of disappointed.

They make their way up the center line perfectly straight but there’s a bobble in the halt and Spinach puts his hind foot right out, which shows up in the marks – two 5.5s and a 6 to start for them. They put it behind them though and set off in trot.

Spinach seems a little excited which shows up in the contact slightly, but he’s keeping it mostly under wraps. The 8m circle is obviously very tight for this big horse. He does seem to be settling as the test goes on though and the scores are consistently 6s and 6.5s.

They make their transition into walk and Spinach is still a tiny bit fussy in his mouth. But he’s stepping out nicely for Alice, she just can’t really push for the big marks. The halt at C is better than the first but isn’t quite square. The reinback is very good though and scores two 7s. We see this horse’s scope and power as he strikes off into canter and he seems more settled at this part of the test.

The changes are accurate and true and look to be no bother for this experienced guy. Alice doesn’t quite let me out for the extended canter – she’d be at the finish line of the cross country if she did – but she shows a clear change of pace and is rewarded with two 7s.

The final halt is rather wonky, with the other back leg stuck out this time. But there’s a nice smile from Alice at the end of the test and Spinach looks pleased with his efforts. Overall this showed what a special relationship this pair have, clearly a rider who knows her horse inside out. Onto cross country for them now.

Alice Casburn and Topspin score 35.3.

7:04am ET

🇺🇲 Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2022 – 11th Kentucky, 24th Burghley
2021 – 23rd Kentucky, 17th Maryland

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 11th (22) 23rd (21)
Burghley – 24th (22)
Maryland – 17th (21)

🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut.

👖Meghan comes from an eventing background with both her parents having competed in the sport.

📋 They put down a 29.6 at Burghley in 2022 and a 39.7 at Kentucky in 2023 before withdrawing after the cross country.

Excited to be Badminton bound:

Today’s Test:

Palmer is showing none of the fact that he’s one of the older horses in the field, he looks so fit and well and totally ready for his first Badminton.

They get their competition underway with a solid entrance and set off into trot. Palmer doesn’t have the biggest trot, but he’s got great rhythm and balance as he makes his way ’round the ring. Everything is accurate which is showing up as 6s, 6.5s and a few 7s.

They have a smooth transition into walk and Palmer really does seem relaxed and happy, which is great to see. He has a little look around but strides out nicely in the extended for two 7s and a 6.5. The marks are creeping up now. The medium also scores two 7s.

The reinback is accurate and they strike off into canter, but there’s a little loss of balance and connection coming out of the medium canter. Meghan support Palmer though and the first change is very accurate. The second one shows some anticipation and Meghan has to work hard but it turns out to be a clean change.

There’s better balance through the extended canter and the transition back is better this time around. The stretch circle is very nice and scores two 7s – it was relaxed and Palmer really does look to be very happy in his work.

They score an 8 from one judge for the final halt and Palmer gets a nice pat. A job well done and their first Badminton underway.

Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent score 34.7.

6:56am ET

🇮🇪 Georgie Goss and Feloupe

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ first-timer
Recent form: 3rd in the 4*-L at Ballindenisk last season.

⏩ Georgie took over the ride on the mare from Australia’s Benjamin Leahy in 2021.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 40th (19) 21st & 23rd (18)
Burghley – 20th (18)

🏸 form: 8 completions – made her Badminton debut in 2008 aged 19; in 2009 was the only rider to have two rides inside the time.

📋 This pair went sub-30 at Ballindenisk in the 4*-L last season, putting down a 29. More recently they’ve been low-30s.

Feloupe’s flying into her first 5*:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Feloupe canters directly up the center line and shows a square halt to begin her test. They set off into trot and look to be very relaxed in the Main Arena at Badminton. The trot work is rhythmical and supple and the medium scores 7.5s across the board. This mare has a lovely uphill tendency and the lateral work is very good for 7s across the board in most cases. The extended is very fluid and scores 7s also.

The transition into walk is extra smooth and Feloupe is relaxed. There’s a lovely swing in her walk, which is expressive and scores 7s across the board for the extended and an 8 and two 7s for the medium.

The halt is a little impatient but the reinback is accurate and gets a 7.5 from one judge. They set off into canter and show the same quality in this work too. This mare looks super rideable and therefore everything is accurate and polished, and well within the horse. The scores have been consistently 7s and above throughout, with a few 6s here and there. The changes are particularly confident and the second one scores an 8 from the judge at C.

The extended canter scores two 8s and a 7.5. It really way forward and brave.

They halt at the end and Georgie looks delighted. Lots of great marks in this test, rewarding the polish and accuracy. A great picture of a horse and rider on the same page.

Georgie Goss and Feloupe score 30.6.

6:48am ET

🇬🇧 David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 8th Kentucky (finished on dressage), 2nd Burghley (finished on dressage)
2022 – 6th Badminton, 4th Pau
2021 – 15th Pau

1️⃣ ‘Galileo’ is the highest ranked horse in the field according to EquiRatings.

🌶️ Comin’ in hot! This gelding finished on his dressage score at every FEI event he contested last season and added just 0.4 SJ time in the 4*-S at Kronenberg this season on his way to 4th place.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 8th (23)
Badminton – 6th (22) 23rd (19)
Luhmuhlen – 13th (23) 10th & 12th (21)
Burghley – 2nd (23)
Pau – 4th & 20th (22) 15th & 26th (21) 22nd & 27th (20) 33rd (18)

🏸 form: 6th on debut in 2022, the highest-placed Badminton first-timer.

🍦 In his spare time, David works with his dad at their ice-cream company.

📋 At Burghley last year he put down a 33.7, and at Kentucky a 35.6. His best at the level came at Pau in 2021, where he went sub-30 – 29.7 to be precise. But this guy is a finish on his dressage specialist don’t forget.

David and ‘Galileo’ won the Avebury Trophy at Burghley last year for the best cross country round of the day:

Today’s Test:

This horse is my pick of the entry list for EN’s team picks, and seeing him on the jog strip yesterday did not change that. He looked so fit, and so ready, for the big one.

They come straight up the center line looking to mean business here today. Galileo goes to look up in the halt but David is straight on that and they continue on in trot. This horse is so elegant in his work, really free flowing. He could show a little more suppleness through his back for higher marks, but everything is accurate and he looks to be very rideable.

David really is riding this test accurately and Galileo’s doing as he’s asked. They transition down into walk and Galileo looks relaxed and steps out cleaning. There’s not the extension for the big marks in the extended which scores 6.5s across the board, but there’s no tension either. The halt is very good for two 7s and the reinback is excellent – two 8s and a 7.5 for that.

Galileo is happier in canter and the scores are higher than for the earlier work. He performs the first change really well for two 7s but then there’s a little disagreement in the second one and Galileo kicks out a little and the scores drop. The third one is better though and gets another .

David pushes for the extended and is rewarded with a 7.5 and a 7, and Galileo takes the contact forward well in the circle for two 7s. He’s not super happy to stand at the end of the test, but David looks very pleased with his performance and Galileo gets a good pat. He really looks very relaxed to be at Badminton.

Overall this was a well-performed test by a horse that is happy in his work and well within himself delivering these difficult movements.

David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed score 33.9.

6:4am ET

🇬🇧 Tom Crisp and Liberty and Glory

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 14th Burghley
2022 – 9th Burghley
2019 – 41st Badminton
2018 – 6th Pau, 27th Luhmuhlen

🪜 At Pau in 2018, this feisty mare climbed 54 places on the leaderboard to finish 6th.
🇺🇲 ‘Lori’ was born on the 4th of July, hence the name Liberty and Glory.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 41st (19) 19th (18)
Luhmuhlen – 27th (18)
Burghley – 14th (23) 9th (22) 21st (18) 16th (17)
Pau – 6th (18)

🏸 form: 7 starts, 2 completions

🔗 Lori is out of a Thoroughbred mare who Tom’s wife, Sophie, competed. She was bred by Sophie’s parents.

🚒 In his other life, Tom is a fireman.
🏊 He also proved his swimming skills after taking a dive into Badminton lake in the spring, and showed off his sportsmanship and sense of humor with some antics for the crowds. His fire crew rewarded him with a ‘swimming the width of Badminton lake’ certificate.

📋 At Burghley last season this eighteen-year-old mare put down a 33.9 on her way to 14th place. At Badminton she scored 36 in the first phase.

Before the ducking – Tom’ll be hoping for a drier Badminton this year than last:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Tom was wearing some very distinctive white sunglasses at the Horse Inspection yesterday – for a minute I thought they were swimming goggles!

Tom posts to the trot around the arena while he waits for the bell, really showing that he knows his horse and what’s best for him as he prepares for his test.

They come dead straight up the center line and Lori looks absolutely beautiful as she shines in the sun. They set off into trot with a lovely balance and rhythm. They really show a change for the extended trot and then Lori comes back nicely for Tom. All the marks are consistent here for what looks to be a very settled and rideable horse.

They set off into walk and Lori is very extravagant at the beginning, there’s obviously a little tension creeping in which she’s showing through her back. The extended walk is kind of tentative and then the medium breaks – that scores two 4s. The halt is tricky also and then the reinback is affected – 4s in the scores for those last few movements. Some expensive mistakes, hopefully that they’ll put behind them for the canter.

Which they do. Lori looks much more settled in the canter. The first two changes are accurate and Tom’s riding really well, showing a lot of empathy for the horse that’s underneath him. He’s able to push a bit in the extended canter and is rewarded with a 7, 6 and 6.5. They turn back up the center line and finish up with a very square halt for two 7s.

It was a shame that they had those expensive mistakes as the rest of the test really showed what a lovely partnership this pair have and how hard Lori works for Tom.

Tom Crisp and Liberty and Glory score 38.

6:32am ET

🇦🇺 Sammi Birch and Finduss PB

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2022 – 25th Badminton
2021 – 11th Bicton

⏩ Finduss PFB was brought up to 3* by Britain’s Holly Woodhead before Sammi took over the reins in 2019. New Zealand’s James Avery campaigned the gelding for most of the 2023 season while Sammi was on maternity leave, with her coming back into the plate last fall.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 25th (22)
Bicton – 11th (21)

🏸 form: 7th on Badminton debut in 1999.

🌏 Sammi was runner-up at Adelaide 5* in 2004 and 3rd in 2003.
🗺️ She represented Australia at the World Championships in 2000.

📋 They put down a 35.7 at Burghley in 2022 before being eliminated out on XC; at Badminton it was a 38.7 and at Bicton a 39.

Finduss PFB is affectionately known as ‘Loopy Louis’ at home:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Good morning to our Stateside followers, now that it’s kind of an acceptable time to be up.

We’re getting back underway for the final session before the lunch break with Sammi and Finduss. (I affectionately call my equine pal Findus when he’s got his scumbag head on – nothing to do with this lovely horse!)

Anyway, the bell has rung and Sammi brings her gorgeous chestnut up the center line. They halt nice and square but not quite straight on the center line. This guy really has so much presence in the ring – he’s big and beautiful and works in a lovely frame. He drops a little behind Sammi in the tiny circle, but that’s a lot of horse to get round there. Sammi’s squeezing him forward though and so far this test is accurate. Everything’s a little tight, without the bend needed for higher marks, but it’s been very consistent scores-wise throughout the trot work – around the 6 mark.

Finduss doesn’t lower his head and neck and stretch through the extended walk and scores 6s across the board. The walk work is similar to the trot – it’s all happening accurately but it’s not really big enough for the top marks.

The halt and reinback show more accuracy and they strike off into canter. There’s a fair bit of tail swishing going on as Finduss canters around the arena, but the scores are creeping up. The first change gets two 7s. This horse looks really rideable and to be trying his best. There could be more push in the extended canter and more stretch in the circle, but he’s doing everything that’s asked of him in a settled and workmanlike way. Overall, he’s really been a good boy.

Finduss gets a big pat at the end of his test from Sammi for a job well done. Overall this was really a lovely picture of a horse who’s happy in his work and tries his best for Sammi.

Sammi Birch and Finduss PB score 36.

6:12am ET

We’re heading into a short break now. Back in around 20 minutes – at 6:32am ET / 12:32pm CEST.

6:04am ET

🇬🇧 Kylie Roddy and SRS Kan Do

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 5th Pau
2022 – 6th Luhmuhlen
2021 – 11th Pau

📺 ‘George’ is owned by Downton Abbey actor Michael C. Fox and family.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Luhmuhlen – 6th (22)
Pau – 5th (23) 28th (22) 11th (21) – 5* debut

🏸 form: 2 starts, WD last year due to the ground, looking for first completion.

🔨 When Kylie’s not busy with horses, she’s making them – saddle horses that is, which she create from upcycled furniture.

📋 They put down a 31.7 at Pau on their way to 5th place; at Luhmuhlen it was 31.4. They scored a PB at Pau in 2021 – 29.4, and matched it at Badminton in 2022 before retiring out on XC due to a lost shoe.

Clear inside the time at Luhmuhlen and delighted:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Kylie comes confidently into the ring as she gets her Badminton underway. She was dressed for the British springtime at the Horse Inspection yesterday – in a winter coat.

They get off into trot in with the same kind of confidence and Kylie looks to be riding her socks off. She shows a real difference between the extended and medium trot and SRS Kan Do is working in a nice rhythm and is being very obedient to Kylie’s aids. A consistent and safe start to their test.

The walk work is equally relaxed, it could be more forward really, but Kan Do looks to be calm and attentive to Kylie. The halt and reinback are very good with 7s across the board.

They get a good transition into canter and then a super accurate change for two 7s and a 6.5. The scores are creeping up now they’re into the canter work. The second change is slightly better for 7s across the board. Kylie pushes for the extended canter and is rewarded with two 7s. Kan Do could show more stretch in the circle, but he’s trying for Kylie and they clearly have a very good partnership.

The final change is another good one and Kylie waves to the crowd as they cheer at the end of the test. Kylie looks very happy with Kan Do, who looks very pleased with himself. Overall this test has been solid and confident and this pair obviously have a really great relationship with one another. A nice picture.

Kylie Roddy and SRS Kan Do score 34.

5:56am ET

🇬🇧 Bubby Upton and Cola

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form
2023 – 8th Badminton
2022 – 36th Badminton, 14th Burghley
2021 – 12th Pau

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 8th (23) 36th (22)
Burghley – 14t (22)
Pau – 6th (22) 12th (21)

🏸 form: 2 completions – 8th last year

🏆 British Under-25 Champion 21 & 23

🎓 Alongside her career as an event rider, Bubby studied BSc Sports Management and got a First Class degree.
🍪 Bubby is coming back to the top-level after having a serious fall whilst training last season.

📋 They put down a 31.4 here last year and a 30.4 in 2022; it was 28.3 at Burghley that year and 28.5 at Pau in 2021.

Badminton redemption last season when Bubby and Cola laid to rest the ghost of their heartbreaking run out at the final fence the previous year:

Today’s Test:

Bubby looked stunning in her classic tea dress at the Horse Inspection yesterday and was such a welcome sight after the ordeal she’s been through.

It’s really quite emotional seeing Bubby come up the center line. What a special moment for her, and for all of us who have followed her re-hab over the last months. She starts off showing great confidence – two 8s and a 7.5 for the first halt. A lovely moment.

Cola really shows great athleticism in his trot work, he’s so powerful and really pushes from behind. This great work is being rewarded with lots of 7s, 7.5s and some 8s. It’s so solid, smart and confident and Cola looks to be well within himself and really focused on Bubby.

More 8s are coming through as they transition into walk. There’s 7.5s across the board for the extended. Cola really is a picture of strength and athleticism as he walks round the arena. The halt is secure and then they get off into canter with more 8s for the transition.

Bubby rides the first change really accurately and Cola answers – the judges can’t do anything but score 7s and above. The extended canter is bold and brave and rewarded with two 8s and a 7.5 Wow, this test is confident and so polished. What a comeback for Bubby, and what a great horse Cola is.

Bubby is delighted at the end of her test – I’m pretty sure there are tears. She gets a huge cheer and Cola gets a massive hug and so many pats. What a performance from this young rider and her horse. They’re going into the lead. I need to get my tears in check before we carry on. What a sport this is.

Bubby Upton and Cola score 27.3.

5:48am ET

🇬🇧 Zara Tindall and Class Affair

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 15th Kentucky
2021 – 30th Maryland
3 Burghley starts

🧦 A more perfect barn name will not be found, although Zara affectionately refers to ‘Socks’ as “the mad guy”.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 15th (23) 3rd (17)
Badminton – 23rd (16) 16th & 19th (08)
Luhmuhlen – 2nd (13)
Maryland – 30th (23)

🏸 form: 8 starts, 4 completions

🏆 World Champion 2006; European Champion 2005
🔥 Olympic team silver London 2012, 8th individually
🥈 World Championship team silver 2014
🥇 European team gold 2005

👑 Zara’s been awarded an MBE from the Queen of England for her services to equestrianism.
📺 She was voted Sports Personality of the Year in 2006 – an exciting win for eventing breaking into the mainstream.
👖Both her mom and dad have won Burghley.

📋 They posted a personal best of 28.4 in the first phase at Burghley in 2022. They haven’t managed sub-30 since, but the highest they’ve been at the level is 33.3.

The perfect barn name:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Props to Zara for wearing sneakers on the jog strip yesterday.

Well Socks’ socks are super white – another shout out to all the grooms, what a top job they do turning out these horses just so beautifully.

Socks comes up the center line and halts nicely, looking to be nicely settled at the beginning of his test. His trot starts off really well – he’s balanced and supple and working really nicely for Zara. Lots of 7s coming in at the start of this test. His work is so fluid and there’s a lovely flow to the movements. The lateral work could have a little more bend for the real top marks, but he’s being very obedient and really trying hard.

The walk transition is very good and Socks seems happy in his work. They score a 7 for the extended, but then the tension creeps in and there’s a break. It affects the halt, which gets a 4 from one judge. Zara gets him back for the reinback which is accurate, and Zara will be happy to get into canter.

The canter work starts off well, but that tension becomes very clear. He’s not on the aids in the first change which scores a 4 and two 3s, but is much better in the second on for two 6.5s and a 6. He seems to be settling as the canter progresses. The final change is accurate and scores a 7 from one judge. They halt and Zara looks pleased. They get 7s across the board for the final halt. Zara gives socks a really big pat. Overall this test has really shown how well Zara knows her horse – a good picture of a horse and rider with a lovely relationship.

Zara Tindall and Class Affair score 37.2.

5:40am ET

🇬🇧 India Wishart and Diamond Sundance

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 27th Pau
2020 – 30th Pau (with Rosa Onslow)

⏩ ‘Sunny’ has had a few pilots at he’s moved up through the levels, including Great Britain’s Emily Orpwood and Rosa Onslow, China’s Alex Hua Tian and Australian Lissa Green. India took over the irons for the 2022 season.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form: 27th Pau 23

🏸 form: Making her Badminton debut.

🤩 India based herself with Pippa Funnell at The Billy Stud in 2020 to pursue a career as a full-time eventer.
🎓 She was part of the Wesko Equestrian Foundation program in 2020/2021.

📋 The gelding put down a 35.1 at Pau last season.

Picture perfect:

Today’s Test:

India and Sunny come boldly through the arch and seem very ready for their Badminton. They use all of their allocated time working ’round the outside of the ring before making their way up the center line.

The first halt is kind of brief, not really immobile for long enough and that carries on into the trot work – the medium scores 4 across the board. Hopefully Sunny will settle into this test quickly. India really holds her nerve and soon gets this 18-year-old gelding into a nice trot rhythm. They don’t show the difference in the paces in the extended for the highest marks, but it’s good to see Sunny settled into his work now.

The transition into walk is good, but there’s definitely some Badminton excitement showing. India can’t really push for the extended and it scores 5s and a 6. The halt is a little tricky, Sunny wanted to go straight into the reinback. India will be glad to get into canter.

Sunny definitely seems happier in canter, although there’s definitely tension showing in his frame, he’s nodding a little. The work is accurate though and he’s performing all of the movements nicely. India’s super confident in the extended canter and is rewarded with a 7.5. And then Sunny comes back to her really obediently. There’s not a lot of stretch in the circle, probably due to Sunny’s excitement, but they finish up with a good halt for a 7 and two 7.5s.

India really rode this test so well – a few bobbles but she kept her cool and must be so excited to go cross country with this horse on Saturday, it looks like it’ll be a really fun ride.

India Wishart and Diamond Sundance score 38.8.

5:32am ET

🇨🇭 Felix Vogg and Cartania

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: 15th Badminton 23

🌠 14th World Championships 22; 8th European Championships 21 (very nearly finished on their dressage)

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 6th (19)
Badminton – 15th (23)
Luhmuhlen – 1st (22)

🏸 form: Made his Badminton debut last year.

🔥 Tokyo 2020; Rio 2016
🗺️ 14th World Championships 2022; 8th European Championships 2021

🥳 Felix won Luhmuhlen on his birthday!
🤩 He’s been mentored by Michael Jung and trains with Bettina Hoy – watch out for some of that German brilliance shining through in this phase.
👖 Felix’s brother is also an Olympic eventer and their grandfather competed at the 1956 Games.

📋 This mare put down a 33.1 here last year.

Last year Cartania was the first horse to complete at Badminton under a Swiss rider in 47 years:

Today’s Test:

This pair look very confident as they make their way around the arena. They come in up the center line and look a real picture together – so elegant. They set off into trot and are very balanced and correct. The horse is obviously supple and pulls in very good marks through the lateral work – 7s and some 8s. There could have been a little more push in the extended for the top marks.

Cartania slightly anticipates the walk transition but is settled once they get there. The extended scores two 7s and a 6.5 and so does the medium. The halt at C is square and the reinback is settled – Cartania briefly thinks about putting another step in, but doesn’t and it scores two 7s and a 6.5. This test is very consistent and accurate and they seem to make a really good team.

The first change is great – 7s across the board for that – and then a 7.5 for the next one. The canter work is very balanced and the horse seems super happy in his work.

But then there’s a blip in the corner at the end of the extended and the scores drop to two 4s and a 5. Cartania seems to lose focus slightly. But Felix gets him right back and the final change is solid for 7s across the board.

Overall this test has shown a lovely picture of a horse and rider with a sound relationship, working together and in harmony.

Felix Vogg and Cartania score 32.6.

5:24am ET

🇮🇪 Sam Watson and SAP Talisman

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: 13th Burghley 23

🌠 ‘Podge’ is Sam’s World Championships ride from Pratoni, where they were pathfinders for the Irish team, coming home fast and clear cross country.

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Badminton – 34th (15) 22nd (13) 13th (10)
Luhmuhlen – 12th (19) 6th & 24th (18)
Burghley – 13th (23)

🏸 form: 4 Badminton completions

🥈 World Championships team silver 2018
🔥 Tokyo 2020

🧮 Sam is one-half of the brains behind stats gurus EquiRatings.

📋 They posted a 35.4 at Burghley last season. They’re generally a mid-30s pair but had a hoof in the 40s at Ballindenisk this season.

Shod by Tim Price and accessorized by Tom McEwen (after some slap-dash Burghley packing):

Photo by Tilly Berendt

Today’s Test:

Sam looks serious as he canters up the center line. He used all of his allocated time outside the arena. Podge has a look round in the halt to check we’re watching, but it scores two 7s – a good start for them.

They set off into a lovely balanced trot, but then Podge breaks in the corner – a tricky moment for them. He loses the balance and there are a few canter strides. This affects the scores for the next few movements as Podge continues to be a little unbalanced. He seems to settle down a little as they progress but this isn’t an easy ride for Sam thus far.

They transition to walk and Sam has to ride tactfully. He can’t really push and so can’t go for the big scores. I’s a 5.5, 6 and 6.5 for the extended. You can hear Podge grinding his teeth, he’s ready for cross country. They don’t manage to establish the halt at all and there’s a 1, 3 and 0 for that (unconfirmed). Sam’ll be pleased to set off into canter.

Podge is definitely happier now he’s cantering. The first change is very good and the scores are creeping up. There’s 7s coming in for the half passes, and another one for the change – the earlier changes were 6s and 6.5s. The extended canter showed good scope for two 7s. Sam can’t really ask for the full stretch in the circle, but it’s accurate, as is the final change which gets a 7 and two 6.5s.

They halt on the center line and Podge does some sideways steps afterwards before jiggy jogging off, showing just how much excitement Sam was containing throughout that test. Overall there was some very nice work here, and some brilliant riding, but some expensive mistakes.

Sam Watson and SAP Talisman score 39.1.

5:16am ET

🇬🇧 Max Warburton and Monbeg Exclusive

Facts and Form:

5⭐ rookie combination

Horse:
Recent form: 5th in the 4*-L at Blair castle last season.

⏩ This is a former Andrew Nicholson ride.

Rider:
🏸 form: Making his 5* debut.

🎓 Max was part of the Wesko Equestrian Foundation program.

📋 Recent 4* form in the first phase is low-30s.

Looking forward to their first 5*:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

We’re back with one of our 5* rookie combinations. What an exciting moment for Max.

Monbeg Exclusive sure looked fit at the Horse Inspection yesterday, really on his toes and having a good look around. Let’s hope he liked what he saw and is settled today.

They look like old hands as they canter up the center line. There’s a tiny walk stride into the halt, but it’s lovely a square when they get there and Max’s Badminton is underway.

The trot is a little unsettled in places, breaking in the corners and in the medium trot. But Max puts those early mistakes behind him and they settle into the test. There’s a really good rhythm in the extended trot which scores 7s across the board and the lateral work is very consistent and is rewarded with a 7.5. He makes a smooth transition into walk for 7s across the board. This is all looking much better.

Monbeg Exclusive settles nicely into the walk and there are two 7s for the extended and two 7s and a 7.5 for the medium. The halt at C is nice and square and there’s a lovely flow between the movements through the reinback and into the canter. This gelding is really listening to Max and they’re a picture of a pair working together.

The flying change is very secure for 7s across the board and the lateral work in canter is pulling in the same. They’re really coming into their own during this part of the test and both horse and rider look confident. They get 7.5s across the board for the extended canter. The final change gets two 7.5s and a 7.

This really has been a lovely test with so much potential on show. They really worked well together and made a great picture of a horse and rider relationship. A shame about the early mistakes but brilliantly pulled back by Max.

Max Warburton and Monbeg Exclusive score 31.7.

4:56am ET

We’re heading into a short break now. Back in around 20 minutes – at 5:16am ET / 11:16am CEST.

4:48am ET

🇬🇧 Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 10th Badminton, 6th Burghley
2022 – 14th Kentucky, 16th Burghley
2021 – 5th Bicton
2019 – 16th Badminton
2018 – 13th Burghley

🥈 European Championships team silver 2019

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 6th & 14th (22)
Badminton – 10th (23) 16th (19)
Bicton – 2nd & 5th (21)
Luhmuhlen – 16th (23)
Burghley – 6th (23) 8th & 16th (22) 1st (19) 13th (18)
Pau – 11th & 15th (23)

🏸 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 29.6 at Burghley last season on his way to 6th place; it was a 32.6 at Badminton. He’s been as low as 27.4 at 5*. Eyes on for sub-30 👀

A stylish pairing:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Pippa’s smiling as the bell rings, but boy does she have her game face on as she comes up the center line. Majas Hope showed a little bit of tension as he went ’round the Main Arena. He looks very keen to get on with the job and Pippa’s having to hold him steady. The scores are mixed as they get on with their trot work, there’s obviously quite a bit of excitement bubbling under the surface, which comes out every now and then. But Pippa’s riding for every mark. She’s having to keep this gelding’s mind on the job when it’s very tempted to be securely on the cross country. The scores improve for the lateral work and there are 7s and 7.5s coming in.

The walk is tentative, and then the excitement bubbles over. There’s a 5, 6 and 5.5 for the extended. It falls apart a bit really, and Pippa has to try and sit quiet.

Oh no, the halt and reinback were just too much – 2s for the halt and the reinback really is Majas Hope galloping sideways across the arena. But boy does Pippa showcase every ounce of her talent to get him back. Wow.

The canter is much better, and Pippa manages to keep everything together for the first change. The scores are much better now, with 7s and 6.5s for a lot of the canter work. There’s really not much stretch in the circle, which is totally understandable, and then Majas Hope sees the crowd and starts to get excited again – it’s 4s across the board for the final change.

What a tough ride this was, but Pippa sat relaxed and really gave everyone watching a riding lesson. What a star she is, and we’re so lucky to have such awesome riders in our sport for us to learn from. A difficult start for this pair but the best bits are to come.

Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope score 40.8.

4:40am ET

🇺🇲 Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 25th Luhmuhlen, 9th Burghley
2022 – 4th Kentucky
2019 – 2nd Kentucky
2018 – 11th Kentucky

🥇 Pan-Ams individual and team gold 2019 – finished on his dressage score of 25.6
🥈World Championships team silver 2022
🔥Top-20 in Tokyo 2020

Rider:
Recent(ish) 5⭐ form: Top-10 finishes at 6 of the 7 5*s.
Adelaide – 5th (00) 17th &18th (01) 5th (02) 1st & 18th (03) 8th (05)
Kentucky – (19 completions) 14th (23) 4th (22) 4th (21) 2nd (19) 11th (18) 7th (17) 6th, 12th & 42nd (16) 7th & 25th (15) 3rd & 8th (12) 7th (11) 4th, 11th & 12th (10) 9th (08) 11th (06)
Luhmuhlen – 4th , 8th & 25th (23) 10th (16) 3rd & 15th (14)
Burghley – 9th (23) 10th (17) 7th (11)
Maryland – 1st (21)
Pau – 8th (23) 13th (16) 7th (10)

🏸 form: Came here in 2016 and looking for his first completion this year. If/when he manages that feat, he’ll have completed at all 7 of the world’s 5*s – in fact, he’s been top-10 at all the others.

🔥3 Olympics
🗺️ 4 World Championships
3️⃣ World No. 3

🛀 It’s no secret that Boyd is partial to a nippy dip, but have you ever wondered where his love of ice baths comes from? Perhaps it’s in the genes 👖 Boyd’s parents met at the Winter Olympics – his mom competed in speed skating ⛸️ and his dad in cross-country skiing ⛷️ So that’s why he’s so speedy across the country!

📋 At Burghley last year they put down a 28.1 in the first phase; it was 31.1 at Luhmuhlen and 28.3 at Kentucky. They finished on their dressage of 27.9 on their way to 2nd place at Kentucky in 2019.

Thomas has clear opinions on that suit, although he didn’t seem to mind Boyd’s Stars and Stripes tie at the Badminton Horse Inspection so much:

Today’s Test:

If you’re watching along, you may be thinking that Boyd looks kinda tall and Thomas looks kinda small, and you’d be right. Boyd’s a tall guy on a not so tall horse.

Thomas sure is shining bright like a diamond in the Badminton sunshine. No bias here, of course, but go Thomas! They make a really balanced entry and a very good halt for 7s and a 7.5. Thomas looks very happy in his trot work, he’s in a lovely frame and the steps are all rhythmical and accurate. Lots of 7s and 7.5s coming in for the lateral work, which is supple and flowing. There’s such a lovely expression to this gelding’s work – in the way he moves but also on his face, his ears are pricked and he just looks so happy. The scores are creeping into the 8s for the transitions.

There’s another 8 for the extended walk, which also gets a 7.5 and a 7. And there’s a 9 and two 8s for the medium walk. This is such a pleasure to watch so far. A real picture of a horse who loves his job – and is very good at it.

There’s a little step in the halt at C but the reinback is accurate and they make a smooth transition to canter. Boyd’s riding really accurately, and there’s an 8 for the second change, which is very expressive and clean. In fact, all the changes have scored highly.

Thomas looks so settled, really like an old pro, so confident. There’s an 8 and a 7.5 for the extended canter.

They finish up and there’s a huge cheer from the crowd for a very polished test. This is a super start for Boyd and Thomas, really excellent. Thomas has a big scratch of his nose and looks to be very pleased with himself. Good boy Thomas!

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF score 29.

4:32am ET

🇬🇧 Wills Oakden and Arklow Puissance

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: 8th Burghley 23

⏩ ‘Mr P’ is another former Oliver Townend ride.

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).

📋 They posted a 34 in the first phase here last year before being eliminated on the XC.

Mr P flew ‘round Burghley last season to finish 8th:

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Today’s Test:

Last year’s trailblazer, Wills has had a little more breathing room before he gets his Badminton underway this time around. They come dead straight up the center line and halt square, but there’s the hint of a walk stride into the trot – just a hint. The trot work is very supple and relaxed, although he falls in slightly in the 8m circle and that causes a little wobble in the shoulder-in. Lots of 6.5s coming in so far. The second circle is better and they make a smooth transition into walk for two 7s.

The walk is relaxed enough but it does look like Wills can’t really push, so the marks are middling. The halt is fine but there’s a miscommunication in the reinback and it scores a 4.5 and a 5. They settle very quickly into the canter and the first change is very good. The scores are staring to creep into the 7s, but then there’s another little moment and the second change scores 1s (unconfirmed). Wills really does a great job to rescue things and they’re back on track incredibly quickly. The stretch circle is really nice and scores 7s.

This has been such a mixed test. Mr P anticipates the final halt and scores range from 3.5 to 5.

There was a lot of nice work on show here, and for sure a lot of potential. But it didn’t all come together for them today. Some expensive mistakes and some lovely moments.

Wills Oakden and Arklow Puissance score 39.4.

4:24am ET

🇬🇧 Tom Rowland and Dreamliner

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: 12th Luhmuhlen 22 (with Oliver Townend)

⏩ Dreamliner has previously been piloted by Oliver Townend and Irish eventers Padraig McCarthy and Jonty Evans.

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, Tom spent two years as a working pupil with Mike and Angela Tucker. He’s been mentored by Pippa Funnell since 2000.
🤓 Tom can name every Badminton winner.

📋 The gelding posted a 29.6 at Luhmuhlen with Oliver. More recently we’re looking at low-30s at 4*.

Dreaming of Badminton:

Today’s Test:

Wow, Dreamliner looks beautiful in the Badminton sunshine – props to all the grooms. This pair make a really positive entrance down the center line. The halt is a little abrupt, but Dreamliner moves off smoothly into trot.

Tom gives the judge at C a little smile 🙂 He looks to be working very hard, really concentrating. Dreamliner looks to have a little tension creeping in, we see it in the shoulder-in before the walk – there’s two 5s for that. There’s some snorting from Dreamliner too, showing that he’s keen to get on to Saturday. They make a lovely transition to walk though for a 7 and there’s another 7 for the extended. Tom did a great job of keeping Dreamliner soft in that walk. The halt at C is excellent and scores two 8s and a 7.5.

Dreamliner looks to be a little more relaxed in the canter work, but that excitement comes through in the first change for 4s. The second one is much better though and there’s an 8.5 for the half-pass right. This test is definitely growing in confidence. There’s a 7.5 for their third change. The extended canter is also very good and is rewarded with 7s. The final halt is also very good, and Dreamliner shakes his head as he’s given a big pat.

Overall, this test got better and better as it went along and the scores really showed it with some high marks coming in.

Tom Rowland and Dreamliner score 34.9.

4:16am ET

🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form: 3rd Burghley 23 on her debut at the level

Rider:
Recent 5⭐ form:
Kentucky – 5th (21)
Badminton – 16th (23) 16th (18) 3rd (14) 10th (09)
Luhmuhlen – 5th (23)
Burghley – 3rd (23) 6th (18) 15th (17)
Maryland – 7th (22)
Pau – 24th (22)

🏸 form: 12 completions, 6 top-20 finishes, 2 Armada Dishes

5️⃣ World No. 5
🥈 World Championships team silver 2014

🎖️ In 2009 Harry became the youngest person ever to receive an Armada Dish for 5 Badminton completions.
👖 Harry’s dad was a three-time Olympic gold medalist as well as winning Badminton twice and Burghley once.
🎓 Harry has a degree in Art History.
💍 He proposed to his wife during a Badminton course walk.

📋 This mare posted a 32.2 at Burghley on her way to 3rd place.

The perpetually nattily dressed Mr Meade with Cavalier Crystal at Burghley:

Today’s Test:

Harry is, famously, color blind, which sure showed in his choice of baby pink pants for the Horse Inspection yesterday. He just needed a cowboy hat to give Will Faudree a run for his Barbie money (see EN’s Kentucky Golden Chinch Awards for a treat if you don’t really know what I’m going on about). His colorful twist on the classics was rewarded with one of the best dressed awards.

Cavalier Crystal looked very settled outside the arena but definitely has a sense of the occasion as she comes up the center line. There’s a bobble of her head in the first halt, but Harry gets her attention back. As they set off in trot it’s clear that this mare is feeling the excitement. Harry’s doing a masterful job at keeping things under wraps. There are little moments when she’s unbalanced in the trot, but when she comes back the work is lovely. This looks like a tricky test to ride for Harry and he’s, of course, doing brilliantly.

The walk is very settled really, and the extended is rewarded with a 7 from the judge at C. There’s a little bit of fussiness in the mouth, definitely showing Cavalier Crystal’s excitement. The halt at C is very good for two 7s, an the reinback is clean, but there’s a pause before the canter transition.

The contact issues continue in the canter, which is a real shame. This mare is ready for cross country, although she’s not blowing her lid, so she’s obviously trying hard for Harry. The canter work is getting better as it goes along, and she shows a lot of scope in the extended canter for two 7s. She’s willing to stretch in the circle for two more 7s. This has been a bit of a mixed bag of scores overall. They finish up with a nice halt and Harry’s got the first of his three Badminton rides underway.

This was a great display of a rider managing the horse that’s underneath him on the day.

Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal score 36.7.

4:08am ET

🇳🇿 Caroline Powell and CBI Aldo

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ first-timer
Recent form: 4th in the 4*-S at North Holland Horse Trials last month.

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.

📋 This gelding put down a 31.6 in the 4*-S at the North Holland Horse Trials this season on the way to 4th place. His form is low- to mid-30s at the 4* level.

In the ribbons in Holland:

Today’s Test:

This 9-year-old was having a bit of a conversation with Caroline on the jog strip, let’s hope he’s listening to her today. He looks nice and settled as they make their way around the Main Arena waiting for the bell.

They make a very smart picture as they canter up the center line. Aldo puts his head up a little in the halt, and there are a couple of steps, but it’s the horse’s first 5* and he obviously wanted a look around. Caroline gets him back and they move off nicely into trot. This horse looks very rideable and to be trying hard for Caroline. There could be a little more bend and suppleness in the lateral work, although the later movements score higher. There’s lovely expression in the extended trot, which scores two 7s. Caroline’s really riding positively.

Aldo’s settled in the walk, Caroline’s not pushing him, obviously trying to keep a lid on any excitement bubbling under the surface. Lots of 6s coming in for the walk. The halt at C is excellent – 2 8s for that. The reinback was also very clean with 7s and a 7.5 as reward.

You can hear Aldo grinding his teeth a little, perhaps a little tension showing. The first flying change is a bit tricky and score 4s across the board, but the second one is ridden exceptionally by Caroline and pulls in 6s and a 6.5. She’s really riding accurately and going for every mark she can get. There’s another accurate, clean change for the final one, which scores two 7s and they finish up in a lovely halt.

Lots of pats for Aldo – Caroline looks delighted with him. He really tried hard for her and did a great job.

Caroline Powell and CBI Aldo score 35.6.

4am ET

🇬🇧 Tom Jackson and Farndon

Facts and Form:

Horse:
5⭐ form:
2023 – 6th Luhmuhlen (finished on dressage), 20th Pau

⏩ Farndon was brought through 3* by fellow Brit and Badminton competitor Francis Whittington before Tom took to the tack for the 2021 season.

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.

📋 Finished on their dressage score of 34.9 at Luhmuhlen for 6th place and put down a 33.2 at Pau last season.

First 5* ✅ Finish on dressage score ✅: