One Big Thing: Laura Collett & London 52 Target Historic Fourth Straight Bicton Victory
Laura Collett and London 52 clinch their third Bicton title in 2025. Photo by Libby Law.
The outstanding partnership of Laura Collett and London 52, who have scored a hat-trick of wins in the showpiece CCI4*-S at Bicton International Horse Trials, are entered again for the Devon event next weekend where they could have a crack at a record fourth successive victory.
The Olympic gold medalists and European champions have won all three running’s of Bicton’s showpiece class in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and are at the top of their form after a convincing win at the same level at Belsay in Northumberland. Last year, Laura also spearheaded the home team’s victory in the British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup series.
The TopSpec CCI4*-S, which incorporates the British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup, has attracted a strong international entry, with a clutch of young riders from the US gaining experience on the European circuit, plus New Zealanders — including Tayla Mason, recently a brilliant sixth at Badminton — and Japanese and Irish riders — including local Devon-based Padraig McCarthy. There will be more than 300 horses going across country over the renowned, spectacular viewing tracks at Bicton designed by Helen West.
Two of Britain’s highest ranked U25 riders in the world, Elizabeth Barratt and Isabelle Cook, will also contest the competitive CCIY3*-L for young riders, and some of the world’s top athletes, including dual Olympic gold medalist Tom McEwen and Australian Olympian Kevin McNab, are bringing young horses for the 70-strong CCI2*-L.
Major International Events This Weekend
Millstreet International CCI4*-S (IRL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
US Events This Weekend
Virginia Horse Center Eventing (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Woodside Spring HT (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Flora Lea Spring HT (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times]
Sol Events at Willow Draw (TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Spring Coconino HT (AZ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Other Links and Reading
- Breed’s Influence on Performance in 5-Star Eventing
- How to ride accurate circles for higher marks – with advice from self-confessed ‘circles geek’ Becky Moody
- Can a Blood or Stool Protein warn us when a common horse painkiller is damaging the gut?
- LAEC Town Hall today, May 21: How to Attract, Rein and Structure Event Sponsorship
Training Tip of the Day
Bec Braitling knows a thing or two about event horses… so listen in for her tips on what you should be looking for when choosing your next partner:
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Go Eventing
Desirée Schmidt and Fairy Tale B have been through everything together:
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