Meghan O’Donognue and Palm Crescent. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Spring is well and truly in the air as we eagerly await the big CCI5* entry lists, and we’ve got our first fish this afternoon as MARS Badminton has released an 87-combination roster for the 2024 running. We also anticipate getting a first glance at Kentucky entries later this week, so keep an eye out for those.
The Badminton roster can always be counted on as a who’s who of top sport, and this year’s list certainly doesn’t disappoint. A total of 87 pairs have been accepted, with an additional three so far on the Wait List. This list includes representatives from 11 countries, and we’ll see a handful of North American-based pairs heading across the pond as well.
Cosby Green and Copper Beach. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The North American entries include:
- Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit
- Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl
- Cosby Green and Copper Beach
- Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF
- Boyd Martin and On Cue
- Meghan O’Donognue and Palm Crescent
- Grace Taylor and Game Changer
Tim Price and Vitali. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
As is typical, we’ll also welcome back a handful of past Badminton winners, though at this time 2023 winning horse Lordships Graffalo is not on the entry list with Ros Canter. She’s instead got Izilot DHI entered, though word is that she’s also entered the 2023 Pau winner at Kentucky. 2022 winner Laura Collett has two first-time 5* horses entered: the 13-year-old Hanoverian mare Hester as well as the 11-year-old British Sport Horse mare Bling. 2021 winner Piggy March will bring forward the 15-year-old Brookfield Inocent, who was second at Pau in 2020 as well as at European Championships in 2021. Another former Pau winner (2022) and Badminton winner (2018), Jonelle Price, has entered 5* winner (Pau) Grappa Nera, while husband Tim has entered the stalwart Vitali, with whom he partnered at the Tokyo Olympics and has collected a slew of top-five finishes at the 5* level.
Sam Watson and SAP Talisman at Aachen. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
This year, we have a “bye week” in between Kentucky and Badminton, where typically they are held on consecutive weekends. The extra time in between will benefit the riders, grooms, media, and officials who are working both events. This means Badminton will kick off with the First Horse Inspection on Wednesday, May 8 and conclude with show jumping on Sunday, May 12. Stay tuned for much more from spring 5* season, coming your way from the EN team! Go Eventing.
EN’s coverage of MARS Badminton Horse Trials is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.
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