Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent held onto the top spot after cross country and are aiming for a second 5* win together after taking the Kentucky crown last year. Photo by Cealy Tetley.
This is it. The Badminton title awaits. There’s just the small matter of keeping the poles in the cups first…
I’ll be with you for every fence, bringing you a ringside seat as the competitors duke it out for Badminton glory. Remember, refresh, refresh, refresh to keep up with the live blog.
Things are due to get underway at 2:45pm local time / 9:45am EST / 3:45pm CEST, but while we await the buzzer, here’s a look at how things stand as we head into the final phase:
1️⃣ 🇬🇧 Leading the pack is Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent on a score of 22.3, 3 penalties ahead of the rest of the field – that’s 3 seconds but not a fence.
2️⃣ 🇬🇧 Chasing the top spot and hoping to take the title for a second time after reigning supreme in 2023 is Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo on a score of 25.3 – they have a fence in hand over third place.
3️⃣ 🇬🇧 4.2 penalties behind second place and 7.2 behind the lead is Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight on a score of 29.5 – they’re just 1.3 penalties ahead of…
4️⃣ 🇮🇪 Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue who are on a score of 30.8, with just one second of time in hand over…
5️⃣ 🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Superstition on a score of 31.8.
It’s tight up there in the top 10, with not a fence separating Austin in fourth from Emily King and Valmy Biats in tenth. Oliver can have one fence and stay ahead of Gemma in third, but not two.
You’ll find the full leaderboard right here.
With two horses in the top 7, Harry Meade will jump out of order with Cavalier Crystal, but he’s well used to that, given his penchant for having multiple 5* entries and delivering clears inside the time on cross country day – two here at Badminton, two at Kentucky a couple weeks ago, and two at Burghley last year. Although, if he continues in this fashion I, for one, would back a petition to see him ride Roman-style in the final phase. The remaining competitors will jump in reverse order.
You can catch up with all the competition thus far via these links:
▶️ Dressage Day One – Test-by-test Analysis
▶️ Dressage Day One – Morning Report
▶️ Dressage Day One – Afternoon Report
▶️ Dressage Day Two – Test-by-test Analysis
▶️ Dressage Day Two – Morning Report
▶️ Dressage Day Two – Afternoon Report
▶️ Cross Country Live Blog
▶️ Cross Country Report
As you know, here at EN we are ridiculously happy to wear our fingers down to tiny stumps in order to feed eventing nerdsters every scrap of info, fun, crazy, weird and wild that 5* events so kindly throw up. You’ll find all of our blood, sweat, tears and hilarity from MARS Badminton right here. And that’s not all because we’re nothing if not generous in sharing our crazy. There’s also fun stuff going on over on our Instagram channel @goeventing – follow along here.
Note: If you’re catching up with this live blog later and are the type to like things in order, scroll ⬇️ and read ⬆️. If going backwards is more your jam, have at it. Spoiler alert though, the winner will be revealed at the top, so eyes closed when scrolling.
With all that said, it is time. Let’s find out who wins MARS Badminton 2025.
Go eventing!
MARS Badminton Horse Trials: [Website] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]
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EN’s coverage of MARS Badminton is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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10:48am
And that’s it. MARS Badminton is done and it’s been a hot one. In case you missed it, here’s the top 3:
1️⃣ 🇬🇧 Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo – 25.3.
2️⃣ 🇬🇧 Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent – 26.3.
3️⃣ 🇮🇪 Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue – 31.2.
You’ll find the final scoreboard right here.
Stay tuned for EN’s full round-up of all that went down in today’s finale.
From me though, it’s over and out.
Thanks for coming along for the live blog ride!
Go eventing!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MARS Badminton Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream] [XC Maps] [EN’s Coverage]
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EN’s coverage of MARS Badminton is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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10:45am
🏆 ONCE MORE – THE WINNERS OF MARS BADMINTON ARE ROS CANTER AND LORDSHIPS GRAFFALO 🏆
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10:44am
🥉THIRD – AUSTIN O’CONNOR AND COLORADO BLUE🥉
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10:43am
🥈 RUNNER UP – OLIVER TOWNEND AND COOLEY ROSALENT 🥈
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10:42am
👏 LET’S HEAR IT FOR OUR BADMINTON CHAMPION ROS CANTER 👏
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10:41am
Double Badminton winner Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
🐴 LET’S HEAR IT FOR OUR BADMINTON CHAMPION LORDSHIPS GRAFFALO🐴
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10:40am
🏆 THE WINNERS OF MARS BADMINTON ARE ROS CANTER AND LORDSHIPS GRAFFALO 🏆
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10:45am
🇬🇧 Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent
Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
🌟 5* winning combo!
Dressage: 21.1
Cross Country: 0 + 1.2
Score: 22.3
Place: 1
OK this is it.
Oliver’s got his game face on.
He’s got to jump clear.
Clear at the first, and the second. 3 – clear, and 4. The water tray’s next – clear. Perfect at 6. Clear at 7, and then through the double at 8. 9 – clear and then… 10 goes. They haven’t won. They continue on clear, the final part of the treble gets a rattle but stays. Clear at the last. An expensive rail drops them down to second. 1 down.
Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent finish on a score of 26.3.
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10:42am
🇬🇧 Rosalind Canter and Lordships Graffalo
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
✨ Multiple 5* winning combo!
Dressage: 25.3
Cross Country: 0 + 0
Score: 25.3
Place: 2
They’re clear over the first and the second. There’s plenty of air over the next two big oxers. No question. The water tray at 5 is easy. They see a big distance to the upright at 6. They clear the line through 7 and then 8ab. Clear all the way so far. Oh, there’s a tap at the plank but it stays. Final line. Clear through the treble. She jumps the last. The crowd are so loud. Hugs for Walter as they gallop round the ring. Clear.
Rosalind Canter and Lordships Graffalo finish on a score of 25.3.
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10:39am
🇬🇧 Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight
Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
🌟 5* winning combo!
Dressage: 29.5
Cross Country: 0 + 0
Score: 29.5
Place: 3
They’re good over the first and convincing over the second. They give the oxer at 3 air and are really good over the fourth. No worries for them at the water tray fence at 5. Gemma’s such a great show jumping rider. But oh, they have the first part of the double at 8 and then the next two fences go. This is such a shame. The middle part of the treble goes as well. They clear the last. That’s really sad. Gemma’s tearful as she leaves the ring. 5 down.
Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight finish on a score of 49.5.
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10:36am
🇮🇪 Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue
Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
🌟 5* winning combo!
Dressage: 30.8
Cross Country: 0 + 0
Score: 30.8
Place: 4
They’re neat over the first and then really give the wide oxer at 3 plenty of room. They rattle the back rail of the fourth but it stays. They make a tight turn back to 6 and then get a great shot over the double at 8. Salty’s jumping really, really well. Austin says Woah as they make their way through the treble and then the crowd goes wild. Austin laps it up. Salty gets a kiss on the neck. A great round from them. Clear jumping, 0.4 time.
Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue finish on a score of 31.2.
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10:33am
🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Superstition
Harry Meade and Superstition. Photo by Abby Powell.
Dressage: 31.8
Cross Country: 0 + 0
Score: 31.8
Place: 5
They’re easily clear over the big oxer at 1 and then are class over the next couple. They give the oxer at 4 plenty of space but then rattle the Guide Dogs fence at 6 but it stays. They’re very neat down the line through the double but then it all goes wrong at the Spillers parallel and they demolish that. Harry sits tight. Phew. They continue on and have the middle part of the treble but then clear the last. Big cheers from the crowd nonetheless. 2 down.
Harry Meade and Superstition finish on a score of 39.8.
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10:30am
🇩🇪 Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH
Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 32.2
Cross Country: 0 + 0
Score: 32.2
Place: 6
Christoph takes his time coming round to the first after the bell. Oh, he comes down on the first and it’s down. He’s more careful over the next few but is a bit sticky over the water tray fence at 5. He’s good over 6. Christoph is taking some tight turns. They tap the first part of the double at 8 but it stays. The white plank’s no problem at 11. They dive through the middle part of the treble though and take that down. They’re clear over the last. 3 down.
Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH finish on a score of 44.2.
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10:27am
🇳🇿 Tim Price and Vitali
Tim Price and Vitali. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
✨ Multiple 5* winner 🙋♂️
Dressage: 30.6
Cross Country: 0 + 3.6
Score: 34.2
Place: 8
OK, the first goes. But the second stays and then he’s great over the third. There’s a tap at the fourth but it stays. He’s careful over the water tray at 5. He taps the rail out at the upright at 7 but then he’s neat through the double at 8. He’s very careful at the white plank at 11 and then there are a couple of taps through the treble but all the rails stay up. And then they have the last. 3 down.
Tim Price and Vitali finish on a score of 46.2.
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10:24am
🇮🇪 Ian Cassells and Master Point
Ian Cassells and Master Point. Photo by Cealy Tetley.
Dressage: 30.7
Cross Country: 0 + 3.6
Score: 34.3
Place: 9
Oh dear, they have the first down. They put it behind them and clear the second. They’re good over the next two big parallels but then they too have the water tray at 5 down. They give 6 a big rattle but it stays, and then another rub at the upright at 7 but that stays also. They’re clean over the plank at 11 and then turns for the final line. They make it through the treble well and then the last goes, that was a late falling rail. 3 down, 2.4 time.
Ian Cassells and Master Point finish on a score of 48.7.
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10:21am
🇬🇧 Emily King and Valmy Biats
Emily King and Valmy Biats. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 27.3
Cross Country: 0 + 7.2
Score: 34.5
Place: 10
They look confident over the first and then good over the second. There’s a tiny tap of the front rail at 3 and then they have the big upright with the water tray down. She steadies him for the double at 8 and it comes up well for them. They’re careful over the plank at 11 and then really good through the treble. They clear the last. 1 down.
Emily King and Valmy Biats finish on a score of 38.5.
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10:18am
🇬🇧 Bubby Upton and Cola
Bubby Upton and Cola III at Badminton 2022. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 30.2
Cross Country: 0 + 6
Score: 36.2
Place: 11
They have a great shot over the first and then are very tidy over the second. He really shows his scope over the MARS fence at 4 and takes an open distance but it doesn’t pay off and they have the next fence down. They’ve got it back together for the tricky line through 7 and 8ab. But then the treble doesn’t come up for them and they have the first part down. They make it through the rest of that combination and clear the last. Some great shots there, a couple not so much. 2 down.
Bubby Upton and Cola finish on a score of 44.2.
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10:15am
🇬🇧 Katie Magee and Treworra
Treworra’s EN Trading Card. Photo by Ed Ryder.
Dressage: 31.8
Cross Country: 0 + 5.2
Score: 37
Place: 12
They’re neat over the big oxer at 1 and then have a smooth run back to the upright at 2. They give the MARS oxer plenty of room but then have the upright over the water tray at 5 down behind. They’re convincing though the double and then clear over the plank at 11. They rattle the middle part of the treble but it stays. Oh, the last goes. A Badminton completion nonetheless. 2 down, 1.6 time.
Katie Magee and Treworra finish on a score of 46.6.
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10:12am
🇬🇧 Tom Rowland and Dreamliner
Tom Rowland and Dreamliner. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 33.1
Cross Country: 0 + 8
Score: 41.1
Place: 13
They’re neat over the first and then come round to the upright at 2 and clear it well. Very tidy over the oxer at 3 and then again over 4. It looks like a steady round so far. Ah, they take Guide Dogs fence at 6. They work hard through the double and then rattles the Spillars fence at 10 but it stays. They have another tap at the first part of the treble but they’re clear through there and then over the finish. 1 down, 1.6 time.
Tom Rowland and Dreamliner finish on a score of 46.7.
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10:09am
🇬🇧 Tom McEwen and JL Dublin
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
🌟 5* winner 🙋♂️
Dressage: 22.4
Cross Country: 11 + 10.8
Score: 44.2
Place: 14
They give the first some air and then come round and clear the upright at 2 well. No worries at the big oxer at 3 and clear over the next two fences. Dubs is jumping really well. They make the line through 7 and 8ab really easy and Dubs is still giving the fences plenty of space. Tom’s leaving nothing to chance. They’re excellent through the treble. They clear the last as a huge cheer goes up. Clear inside the time.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin finish on a score of 42.2.
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10:06am
🇳🇿 Taylor Mason and Centennial
Tayla Mason and Centennial. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 40.2
Cross Country: 0 + 4.4
Score: 44.6
Place: 15
What a cool feeling it must be for this pair to be jumping in the final round at Badminton, and top 20 no less. They’re very confident through the first four fences and then Taylor does a great job when the horse trips a little after 4 and she rebalances him. Things look to be getting a little tricky as their round goes on and they have the b element of the double down at 8. She’s kind of picking this horse up over the fences now. The middle part of the treble goes also. But they come over the line for a Badminton completion. 2 down. 1.2 time.
Taylor Mason and Centennial finish on a score of 53.8.
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10:03am
🇧🇪 Lara De Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville
Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
🌟 5* winning combo!
Dressage: 31.7
Cross Country: 0 + 13.6
Score: 45.3
Place: 16
They get the perfect shot to the big oxer at 1 and then look very convincing over the second and third. They take the back rail of the wide oxer at 4 though. They come round to the line against the crowds and tap the upright at 7 but it stays. They get a great turn from the double at 8 into 9. They are superb through the treble. She’s really getting tight lines with the time in mind. They rub the last but it stays. A shame about that fence. 1 down.
Lara De Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville finish on a score of 49.3.
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10am
🇬🇧 Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy
Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 30.6
Cross Country: 0 + 16
Score: 46.6
Place: 17
They look strong over the oxer at 1 and then again over the upright at 2. They seem to be confident and ready for it. There’s a slight tap at the water tray fence at 4 but no worries there. Another tap coming out of the double at 8 but again, the poles are playing ball. But then they take the plank at 11 with the hind end. And then the last part of the treble goes. And the final fence. That was expensive after a great start. 3 down.
Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy finish on a score of 58.6.
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9:57am
🇳🇿 Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera
Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
🌟 5* winning combo!
Dressage: 3835.3
Cross Country: 0 + 11.6
Score: 46.9
Place: 18
The mare’s poking her nose in the air as she comes to the first but she clears it nicely. They get a great shot over the big oxer at 3. They’re doing a neat job so far over the fences. Oh, but then 7 comes down but Jonelle gets things back together to clear the double. They’re careful at the plank at 11. A little tap at the c element of the treble and then the final one goes. 2 down, 0.4 time.
Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera finish on a score of 55.3.
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9:54am
🇬🇧 Alexander Bragg and Ardeo Premier
Alex Bragg’s Ardeo Premier (GBR). Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 35.2
Cross Country: 0 + 12.8
Score: 48
Place: 19
Alex looks focused as he approaches the first but then it’s not quite right when they get there and down it comes. A wake up call there for them. They continue on with a little more forward encouragement from Alex and things are on the up. The horse tries really hard through the double and they’re neat enough through there. It doesn’t look like the easiest ride but the poles are staying up. There’ s vocal encouragement from Alex through the treble and then they clear the final fence. 1 down.
Alexander Bragg and Ardeo Premier finish on a score of 52.
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9:51am
🇩🇪 Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice
Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 35.2
Cross Country: 0 + 14.4
Score: 49.6
Place: 20
They’re good over the first and then come round to the orange upright at 2 and have a real miss there. Yikes. That affects the jump at the third but they clear that. A couple more uncomfortable jumps come after that but they stay up. They seem to have settled though and make it through the double well. The horse works really hard through the treble and then they clear the last really well. A round of two halves. 1 down and 1 second.
Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice finish on a score of 54.
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9:48am
🇫🇷 Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza
Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 30.7
Cross Country: 11 + 8.8
Score: 50.5
Place: 21
They come through the start and unfortunately have the first down. The mare picks up over the upright at 2 and things seem to have settled. They jump through the tricky line at 7 and 8 – clearing the double as they go and then are really careful at the plank at 11. There’s an ooo from the crowd through the treble as things don’t go to plan and they have the middle element down. And then the last. A shame for them. 3 down.
Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza finish on a score of 62.5.
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9:45am
🇬🇧 Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal
Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Dressage: 33.8
Cross Country: 0 + 0
Score: 33.8
Place: 7
Harry brings ‘Nell’ into the ring to the applause of the crowd. He comes around the the first which is a big oxer and the mare pricks her ears and leaps on over. The parallel at 2 and the National Lottery parallel at 3 are no problem. It’s a tricky line to 4 but no worries for Harry. They get a great shot down the double at 8 and then are careful over the planks. The treble against the crowds comes up for them at the penultimate fence and then they fly the last. Huge cheers. He’s finished on his dressage.
Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal finish on a score of 33.8.
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MARS Badminton Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream] [XC Maps] [EN’s Coverage]
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EN’s coverage of MARS Badminton is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.
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