Here come the stars: top riders arrive at Badminton Horse Trials 2018

Excitement levels are reaching fever-pitch Horse & Hound HQ ahead this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (2-6 May 2018), with the first horse inspection kicking off at 4.30pm this afternoon (2 May) and the first rider taking to the dressage arena tomorrow morning at 9am (3 May).

Take a look at the equine and human stars making their arrival on the hallowed turf…

Lissa Green and Hollyfield

❤? WE MADE IT !!! ?❤ #Badminton

A post shared by Lissa Green (@lissagreen88) on May 1, 2018 at 9:29am PDT

The daughter of six-time Badminton victor Lucinda settles in with the 14-year-old gelding Hollyfield

Chris Bartle

Bartle and his bike?World Class British Performance Coach, Christopher Bartle taking an unusual ride around the #MMBHT stables! @mitsubishimotorsuk . . . . . #eventing #britisheventing #badminton #badmintonhorsetrials #eventersofinstagram #horsesofinstagram

A post shared by Badminton Horse Trials (@bhorsetrials) on May 2, 2018 at 4:25am PDT

Expertise on hand: the World Class British Performance Coach is spotted in the stables

Simon Grieve and Drumbilla Metro

Splash making his way in to one of the most famous stable yards in the world! #badminton #pocketrocket #flexonstirrups #beddownbedding #horsesofinstagram #nobleoutfitters @flex_on @nobleoutfittersuk @beddownbedding @merna.merrett @caths_chaos

A post shared by Simon Grieve (@simongrieve) on May 1, 2018 at 10:03am PDT

Not your average stables: the 11-year-old Drumbilla Metro takes a sneak peek of his fellow residents for the weekend

Harry Meade and Away Cruising

Found a mini Meade on the way back from working Away Cruising this morning. #MMBHT #nomorerainplease

A post shared by Harry Meade Eventing (@harrymeadeeventing) on May 2, 2018 at 4:26am PDT

The Badminton local bumps into his son after a (wet) morning ride. A Pony Club star in the making?

Ben Hobday and Mulrys Error

Show Pony ? #BadmintonCOB #ShadowsportsCOBS #shadowSportsHorses #TeamHobday #V8SuperCOB #YehBoi

A post shared by Ben Hobday (@benhobday) on May 2, 2018 at 3:54am PDT

Calling all cob fans: Mulrys Error the ‘super cob’ is ready for action

Kate Honey and Fernill Now Or Never

We have arrived!!! #spillerhorsefeed #equifeast #voltairedesign . . . #badminton #feelingreal #horsesofinstagram #horseshow #eventinghorse #betweentwoears #feelinggood #tuesday #view #nearlytime #letsdothis #thisgirlcan #nowornever #competition #country #rider #lifeofandequestrian #picoftheday #amazing #butterflies #quiettime #calmbeforethestorm #mitsubishi #green #happyhorse #quiettime #settlingin #hacking

A post shared by Kate Honey Eventing (@katehoneyeventing) on May 1, 2018 at 9:07am PDT

Thirty-three-year-old Kate is ready for her Badminton debut with Fernill Now Or Never

Tom Jackson and Waltham Fiddlers Find

Just helping them keep the lawn trimmed ? . . . #badmintonhorsetrials #walthamfiddlersfind #handgrazing #mmbht #eventinglife #tomjacksoneventing

A post shared by Tom Jackson (@tomjacksoneventing) on May 1, 2018 at 11:37pm PDT

Tom’s ride makes the most of that iconic grazing spot…

Lydia Hannon and My Royal Touch

@bhorsetrials are you ready!!? We are on our way!!@flora_harris_eventing @gainequinenutrition @ksbequine @lintbells_pet_health @fairfaxandfavor @joshua_jones_uk @daltonsonline.co.uk #saddledoctors #thepracticethame

A post shared by Lydia Hannon (@lydia.hannon) on May 1, 2018 at 7:03am PDT

Twenty-nine-year-old Lydia hits the road with her precious load

William Fox-Pitt and Fernhill Pimms

Pimms arrived happy and chilled. In Chilli’s stable! #goodstart @badmintonht #greatestevent @jeep_uk @mustoclothing @burlybedding62j @epbarrus @albionsaddlemakers @fox.pitt.eventing

A post shared by Alice Fox Pitt (@alicefoxpittplunkett) on May 1, 2018 at 1:11pm PDT

William’s wife Alice snaps his ride Fernhill Pimms settled into his stable — the same one that 2015 winner Chill Morning was in…

Georgie Strang and Cooley Earl

Think Cooley Earl wants to move in ?? #MMBHT #couldgetusedtothis #badmintontime @balancedhorsefeeds . . . . #eventing #britisheventing #badminton #badmintonhorsetrials #horsesofinstagram #eventersofinstagram #fourstar #countrylife #wednesday #wednesdaymotivation #morning #manorhouse #badmintonhouse

A post shared by Georgie Strang (@georgie_strang_eventing) on May 1, 2018 at 11:47pm PDT

What a view! Cooley Earl takes in his surroundings ahead of making his Badminton debut

Today is your last chance to get your hands on our special Badminton preview issue of Horse & Hound magazine (26 April 2018), complete with our exclusive course walk with Mary King

The full report and analysis from this year’s event will be published in the 10 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine