Over 200,000 spectators are expected to attend the Mars Badminton Horse Trials when it begins on Wednesday, with a course described as “big and technically demanding.”
Course designer Eric Winter has introduced 13 combinations—more than in previous years—although some feature fewer elements. The track, which runs anti-clockwise this year, is expected to test both precision and decision-making.
“Riders will need to exercise judgement if they are to achieve the optimum time,” said Winter. Past winner William Fox-Pitt “I think it will be a suitably challenging track for what looks a high-class field.”
Dual winner Ros Canter heads the field and will be the one to beat following her standout victory at Burghley last autumn. She returns aiming for a historic hat-trick aboard Lordships Graffalo.
Other five-star winners include New Zealand’s Tim Price (Falco) and Caroline Powell (Greenacres Special Cavalier), Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier (Hooney d’Arville), and Switzerland’s Felix Vogg (Cartania). British contenders include Oliver Townend, runner-up last year with Cooley Rosalent, alongside Gemma Stevens (Chilli Knight) and Harry Meade, whose cross-country expertise means he can never be ruled out. Riders will be watching his round as he has been drawn first on the course.
Twelve nations are represented, but for the first time there is no wait list. New Zealander Tayla Mason, who spent four years with Tim and Jonelle Price when they were based just outside Marlborough, now runs her own yard in Ramsbury and is looking forward to competing with her home-bred Centennial (Chase). The pair made their debut last year following a late call-up from the wait list, making this year’s experience very different.
“Last year it was quite stressful, so we’ve had a much more enjoyable lead-in this time,” she said. “He was fantastic to finish 19th, but I feel more prepared now and Chase feels great. He’s brave, honest and always wants to please. He’s a very powerful horse, and it’s good to be sitting on that type of horse for Badminton.”
As well as past support from the Prices, now based in Dorset, Mason is grateful for guidance from two of the sport’s greats, Sir Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson, who are both based locally.
“Andrew has been a massive influence on my riding, and Mark has been a huge help as well,” she added. “He comes to my yard most weeks as he part-owns one of my horses, so he’s been helping with my jumping and dressage. I’m very lucky.”
Another locally based (Baydon) nternational rider, Marcio Carvalho Jorge, representing Brazil, is competing at Badminton on Royal Encounter (Felix) for the first time since 2017. He has competed at three Olympic Games, including Paris in 2024.
“It has been a long time since I have ridden at Badminton, so I am quite excited,” he said. “This is the horse’s first five-star, but he is ready. Felix went well in the long-format four-star at New Street, won the Open Intermediate at Barbury in March, and I was really pleased with his prep run at Thoresby, where he finished eighth.”
“The horse is good in the dressage—not flashy, but very correct. He doesn’t get excited by crowds and noise, and he is a careful jumper,” he added.
Felix’s temperament is also a talking point, according to Marcio’s wife, Ana.
“I have to add that Felix is the most relaxed horse we’ve ever seen. No matter where he is, he always takes naps during the day in the stables. He properly puts on his pyjamas, lies down and sleeps—this happens at home or at competition!”
Wiltshire rider David Doel will be riding two Badminton first-timers and his confidence will be on a high following his impressive third-place finish at Kentucky with Galileo. Will Rawlin also arrives in good form with Ballycoog Breaker Boy after strong prep runs, finishing third at Thoresby and seventh at Barbury.
Pure dressage enthusiasts can look forward to displays from international rider Anna Ross on Thursday and Friday at 12:30pm.
Access to the event is by ticket only, and all tickets must be purchased in advance by midnight on the day before attendance.
Jan Perrins
Wanted – 10 acres of land for SEND children’s farm
