Badminton Horse Trials riders 2024 – 11 to observe at this yr’s occasion

The highlight shall be on the Mars Badminton Horse Trials riders and horses who’re in competition for the trophy this week and followers will eagerly await their performances as they take to the massive stage.

Try the information under to be sure to are absolutely within the know in regards to the high pairs to observe.

Badminton Horse Trials riders and horses: the highest 11 contenders

Record in quantity order, with data introduced as follows:

Quantity. Rider title
Rider age, nationality

Horse title, horse age, horse color, horse gender, horse sire x horse damsire, horse proprietor(s)

Kind evaluation

4. Harry Meade
40, GBR

Cavalier Crystal, 14 b m, Jack Of Diamonds x Cavalier Royale, Charlotte Opperman

This mare completed third on her five-star debut at Burghley Horse Trials, having been fourth, twelfth and fifth at her CCI4*-Ls. She gained’t be within the high echelons after dressage – and that section is usually extra essential right here than at Burghley, so in all probability not the winner – however can actually be aggressive. Harry is an area rider and his finest end result right here is third in 2014 on Wild Lone.

7. Boyd Martin
44, USA

Tsetserleg TSF, 17 bl g, Windfall 2 x Buddenbrock, Christine, Thomas IV and Tommie Turner

Boyd has accomplished each five-star on the planet besides Badminton, the place he has began however fell, so let’s hope he can spherical off the set. Tsetserleg added ninth at Burghley final yr to his different profession highs – second and fourth at Kentucky Three-Day Occasion and world group silver and Pan Am double gold. Might win on his finest kind, however in all probability a bit of previous his finest.

21. David Doel
31, GBR

Galileo Nieuwmoed, 13 db g, Carambole x Harcos, rider, Mary Fox & Gillian Jonas

These two have turn into a standing dish on the high of five-star leaderboards – sixth right here in 2022, fourth at Pau Horse Trials that autumn, eighth at Kentucky and second at Burghley final yr. They might want to pull off a greater first section than earlier than to win, however are odds-on for a dressage-score end, which makes them ones to keep watch over. David lives in Wiltshire.

34. William Fox-Pitt
55, GBR

Grafennacht, 12 b m, Birkhof’s Grafenstolz x Narew, Amanda Gould

This pair landed second at Maryland 5 Star final autumn, so may go higher than their 14th right here in 2023 this time. It appears unlikely Dorset-based William will win a 3rd Badminton at this stage, nevertheless it actually isn’t not possible. Grafennacht’s dam, Nachtigall, was a prolific nationwide winner as much as intermediate with Susan Eggleton, who then bred Grafennacht from her.

53. Ros Canter
38, GBR

Izilot DHI, 11 b g, Zavall VDL x Cavalier, rider & Alex Moody

Ros is the reigning Badminton champion with Lordships Graffalo, who retains his powder dry for Paris this time. Izilot DHI’s three worldwide wins on the bounce final autumn culminated in a victorious five-star debut at Pau. He’s sharp, so his file isn’t impeccable, and pretty inexperienced, however super-talented. They begin among the many favourites.

62. Emily King
28, GBR

Valmy Biats, 15 b g, Orlando x Hadj A, Philippe Brivois, rider’s father David & Valmy Biats Syndicate

Flintshire-based Emily is 4 occasions a starter right here, however but to be a completer – and doubtlessly very aggressive. She and Valmy had been eighth at Pau 2022 and constructed expertise final yr – nothing fairly got here collectively, however they accomplished their first Luhmühlen Horse Trials and Burghley. Scored a second Thoresby win in April. Emily’s mom is two-time Badminton winner Mary.

64. Tim Value
45, NZL

Vitali, 14 b g, Contender x Heraldik xx, Alexander & Joseph Giannamore & rider

Over the previous two years Vitali has been third and fourth at Burghley, tenth at Luhmühlen and seventh right here. He broke the dressage file at Burghley 2023 with an 18.7, however has had three down showjumping on all these runs – could possibly be a a number of five-star winner if Tim can crack that section. Tim’s finest Badminton result’s third in 2017 on Xavier Faer.

70. Gemma Stevens
39, GBR

Chilli Knight, 14 ch g, Chilli Morning x Rock King, Christopher Stone

Gemma and Chilli Knight – by Badminton winner Chilli Morning and out of Kings Gem, who competed at five-star underneath Gemma – gained the one-off Bicton five-star in 2021. He hasn’t executed rather a lot since, so that is an thrilling comeback. More likely to be off the tempo after dressage, however can climb. West Sussex-based Gemma’s finest end result right here is third on Arctic Soul in 2016.

73. Laura Collett
34, GBR

Hester, 13 gr m, Heinrich Heine x Blue Henry, Lucy Nelson

Laura is a former Badminton winner, with London 52 in 2022. Lucy Nelson’s home-bred mare has bounced round just a few riders and joined Laura in 2021. They had been 14th at Blenheim final yr, Hester’s solely CCI4*-L, and lately seventh in a extremely popular CCI4*-S at Thoresby, so must be nicely arrange for a good shot on the horse’s first five-star.

80. Tom Jackson
31, GBR

Capels Hole Drift, 13 gr g, Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan x Fortunate Reward, Patricia Davenport, Milly Simmie & Sarah Webb

After sixteenth right here and second at Burghley in 2022, plus fifth right here final yr, this pair’s bubble cracked a bit of after they had 20 leaping penalties on the Europeans on their senior squad debut. If they will put that behind them and regain their former kind – together with the all-time dressage they confirmed in Haras du Pin – they’re severe contenders.

81. Pippa Funnell
55, GBR

MCS Maverick, 11 b g, Mill Regulation x unlisted, Nick & Sarah Ross

This horse joined Pippa final yr, having been ridden by Helen Wilson, and gained Bramham CCI4*-L, earlier than making an under-the-radar five-star debut at Pau, the place he was eleventh with 20 leaping penalties throughout nation. He’s inexperienced so it’s possible Pippa gained’t push him to the max, particularly if situations aren’t good, however doubtlessly very thrilling.

For related particulars on all of the Badminton Horse Trials riders and horses, plus rating sheets to fill in because the week progresses, purchase this week’s journal, out Thursday 9 Might or choose up a free copy from the organisers’s workplace or the Badminton Cafe by the scoreboards at Badminton, whereas shares final.

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H&H journal editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a real eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand expertise of competing as much as British Eventing intermediate and worldwide CCI2*-L degree, and has labored within the trade on a high occasion yard. Pippa enjoys nothing greater than immersing herself within the sport on the highest degree, reporting from the five-stars and worldwide championships, together with the Olympics.