Hold on tight! Pippa Funnell coaxes an excitable MCS Maverick back to earth. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It’s that time!! In just a few hours, we’ll kick off the 2025 MARS Badminton Horse Trials in earnest with the First Horse Inspection. Let’s all say a collective prayer to Eventing Jesus that we’ll have an antic-free trot-up (or DO we want an antic-free trot-up??) unlike last year, when Pippa Funnell’s MCS Maverick demonstrated his airs above the ground in true fit 5* horse fashion. We’ll have a full trot-up report for you coming later today, as well as our traditional Form Guide to the field of competitors, so keep it locked right here on EN for much more from Badminton.
MARS Badminton Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream] [XC Maps] [EN’s Coverage]
Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Also on tap this weekend is our first 4*-L of the U.S. spring season, happening at the Yanmar America Tryon International in North Carolina. 13 combinations are slated to compete in the 4*-L, along with another 16 competing in the 4*-S division. There is a limited free live stream for this event, for Rings A and B in the dressage and then again for show jumping. You can view the live stream and schedule here. We’ll also be publishing press releases and a full recap here on EN over the weekend.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Tryon International Three-Day Event (NC): [Website] [Timetable] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Galway Downs Spring H.T. and Preliminary Challenge (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
River Glen Spring H.T. (TN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]
Unionville May H.T. (PA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Majestic Oaks Ocala H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Queeny Park H.T. (MO): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]
Hitching Post Farm H.T. (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
News & Reading
Olivia Cliver’s path from eventing to the international jumper ring proves there’s more than one route to the top. A former Advanced-level eventer with dreams of Young Riders, Cliver made the pivot to show jumping after parting ways with her beloved OTTB, My Mitch—and she hasn’t looked back. Now based in Texas, with her training program On The Mark Equestrian, Olivia recently scored back-to-back Grand Prix wins at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show aboard Connor 69, a quirky but talented Holsteiner with a mini companion named Apples. With World Cup qualifiers in her sights for 2025 and a goal of making it to the 2026 World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Cliver is a reminder that grace and a little humor (plus a good cookie) can take you far. Read the full story here.
Olympic #supergroom Adam Short is fresh off a memorable trip to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, where he helped Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality to a fifth place finish — and took home a $1,000 Best Turned Out prize himself. “I thought it was a joke at first,” Adam laughed, but the recognition (and the ability to celebrate with friends) meant the world. He credits the Dutta Corporation and Kentucky organizers for making the trip smooth, supportive, and even fun. “Kentucky is an amazing place, but what really makes it is the people,” he shared. Now it’s off to Badminton with more top horses and—thanks to his growing fan base—a new behind-the-scenes social media role. Read the interview with Adam here.
The FEI’s new noseband measuring device made its official British debut at Addington CDI—and according to riders, it was “a bit of a non-event.” Introduced on May 1, the tool is used to ensure nosebands aren’t overly tight, with riders like Carl Hester comparing it to a seatbelt: “You won’t think twice about it.” Stewards check by sliding the device under the noseband along the nasal bone; if it passes through, the fit is legal. Riders praised the process for being quick, low-drama, and ultimately good for horse welfare. Read more from this early usage in the UK here.
Want to up the ante with your gymnastics game this year? Build off of some previous gymnastic columns over on Horse Sport with this advanced-level grid that will help your horse build even more strengths. Think of the gymnastic grid like the squat rack for your horse! See how to set up this exercise and more here.
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Let the Badminton games begin!
