Horse & Hound’s exclusive Badminton 2026 form guide, featuring every horse and rider
Want to find out all about the Mars Badminton Horse Trials entries for this year’s event (6-10 May)? We’ve got you covered!
Below you will find H&H’s full guide to every pair who plan to start at the event, including factual information about the horses and riders and an assessment of their form and chances of taking the Badminton Horse Trials crown.
Badminton Horse Trials entries 2026: H&H’s exclusive guide
The information is presented in the following format:
Rider number, rider name (* denotes a top pair with a real chance of winning)
Age, nationality
Badminton final scores
Horse name, age colour gender, sire x damsire, owner
H&H’s exclusive guide to the pair’s past form and chances at Badminton.
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1. Harry Meade
42, GBR
Et Hop Du Matz, 12-year-old bay gelding, Nouma D’Auzay x Easy Star, Mandy Gray & rider
“Hoppy” shares his sire with world champion Banzai Du Loir. He made an unfortunate five-star start when Harry fell from him at Maryland 5 Star 2024, but made amends with third at Kentucky Three-Day Event and ninth at Burghley Horse Trials last year and the world number one really rates him as a cross-country horse. Harry will want to polish up showjumping after two down at Burghley.
4. Cosby Green
25, USA
Jos Ufo De Quidam, 18-year-old chestnut gelding, Lobby Des Fortes x unlisted, Heather Morris
This horse competed with his owner Heather Morris before Cosby took over and they were eighth (Luhmühlen Horse Trials) and 22nd (Pau Horse Trials) on his first two five-star runs last year. He’s not as flash as her withdrawn ride Highly Suspicious, but they have an impeccable international cross-country record and it’s all good experience for the Dorset-based rider. Cosby was 31st here in 2024.
5. Tom Jackson
33, GBR
United 36, 10-year-old bay gelding, Ucello x Espri, Michael Stenning
United 36 joined Tom in 2024, having been produced by Max Warburton, and the pair had three top-12s at four-star in competitive company in Britain last season, as well as 17th at Boekelo. Showjumping let him down recently at Kronenberg CCI4*-S, but then won at Thoresby, so worth keeping an eye on. Fifth (twice) is Tom’s best finish here.
6. Caroline Powell
53, NZL
High Time, 14-year-old bay gelding, Hemingway x unlisted, Ruth Armstrong, Serena Greenwell, Jo West, Tom Craig, Annabel Jenks and rider
Caroline started riding High Time in 2023 and the pair were second at Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-L in 2024. Having completed Pau 2024, High Time was 21st here last season and then improved for eighth at Burghley, so the top 15 or even 10 could beckon this time. Suffolk-based Caroline won Badminton in 2024 on her other ride this time, Greenacres Special Cavalier.
7. Holly Richardson
32, GBR
Ballyneety Silver Service, 11-year-old grey gelding, Butlers Cravat x Great Palm, Fi & Issy Saxby
The grey “Butler” really impressed at Burghley last year with a fast clear cross-country, finishing 14th after showjumping let him down. He’s not stellar in the dressage, either, but worth keeping an eye on if he can repeat his Burghley performance in the crucial middle phase. North Yorkshire rider Holly has started here once but bids for a first completion.
8. Gemma Stevens*
41, GBR
Chilli Knight, 16-year-old chestnut gelding, Chilli Morning x Rock King, Christopher and Lisa Stone
The 2021 one-off Bicton Horse Trials five-star winners, who have since been 14th and 15th here, as well as ninth at Burghley. Third after cross-country last year, a phase this horse loves (sometimes too much, as recently at Thoresby), but showjumping proved costly. Leaderboard climbers. The West Sussex rider’s best finish here is third in 2016 on Arctic Soul.
9. David Doel
33, GBR
Ferro Point, 16-year-old bay mare, Match Point x unlisted, Christine & Hannah Lees & Molly Nunn
David lives in Wiltshire and was sixth here in 2022 on his debut, with Galileo Nieuwmoed. This mare comes to her first Badminton after six other five-star starts, her best result being 13th at Luhmühlen 2023. Not a frontrunner, but she jumped round Burghley last year with 20 penalties before being withdrawn ahead of the final trot-up, so can aim for a solid completion.
10. Austin O’Connor
51, IRL
Sixmilewater, 12-year-old bay gelding, OBOS Quality 004 x Buster King, Nicky Bennell
This horse joined Austin in late 2023 and has slightly chequered form, but he’s a big type and Austin believes he’s now ready to step up, having needed time to strengthen. He schooled round Burghley on his five-star debut with 20 penalties at The Maltings, so the Irish rider will hope to build on that. Austin has been third here twice on Colorado Blue.
11. Simon Grieve
44, GBR
Autograf, 13-year-old bay gelding, Birkhof’s Grafenstolz TSF x Condios, rider, Evie Mackel & Geraldine Torr
Leicestershire-based Simon makes his 20th five-star start. He and Autograf jumped a double clear at Burghley last year for 18th, so are well set up for this, although the higher dressage standard and the fact Badminton tends to be less forgiving of time-faults than Burghley may prevent him bettering his previous best finish here (28th in 2018 on Drumbilla Metro).
12. Bubby Upton*
27, GBR
Cola, 16-year-old bay gelding, Catoki x Contender, rider’s mother Rachel
Suffolk-based Bubby suffered a serious spinal injury in August 2023, so it’s remarkable she’s still competing. Cola has taken Bubby from two young rider medals to this ninth five-star start, with their six top-15 placings including two eighths and a 10th here. Bubby will want to put their record right again after a fall at Pau last year – and they could even win.
13. Sarah Bullimore*
52, GBR
Corimiro, 10-year-old chestnut gelding, Amiro Z x Lovis Corinth, rider’s husband Brett, Bruce Saint, Christopher and Susan Gillespie
Corimiro is out of Sarah’s championship mare Lilly Corinne, also dam of her 2021 individual European bronze medallist Corouet. He made a hugely exciting five-star debut at Pau last year, leading after cross-country and finishing fifth, and is one to watch here. The Berkshire-based rider’s best result at Badminton is 18th in 2018 on Reve Du Rouet.
15. Aistis Vitkauskas
53, LTU
Commander VG, 15-year-old dark bay gelding, Viegaard’s Come Back II x Abantos NRA STB 83 4, M and B Kloeve-Mogensen and rider
This pair have a wild mix of five-star and championship form dating back to 2020, ranging from 11th and 13th at Luhmühlen and two jumping clears here – including in 2025 – to eliminations and retirements, including at last year’s European Championships. Last season didn’t go badly for them apart from that so perhaps they can repeat their personal best of 26th here in 2023.
16. Georgie Goss
37, IRL
Feloupe, 16-year-old brown mare, Ustinov x unlisted, rider, Suzanne Doggett, Lucy Fleming & Kelly Holmes
This pair do a great dressage test and have been 27th and 28th here – if they could reduce their time-penalties, they’d be top-15 candidates. Wiltshire-based Georgie (née Spence) – a medalled British under-21 rider before she swapped nationality – has 10 Badminton finishes from 10 starts (21st on Wii Limbo in 2018 her best finish) to her name.
17. Katie Magee
44, GBR
Treworra, 12-year-old bay gelding, Jaguar Mail x Tower Of Magic, Angela Hislop
Katie and Treworra made an impressive debut here last year with 11th, after 13th at Pau 2024, and followed up with 20th at Burghley, where they had a run-out on the return trip through Defender Burghley. The Co-Durham-based rider improved her dressage by two marks between five-stars last year; if she can keep cracking sub-30s, the top 10 beckons.
18. Cassie Sanger
21, USA
Redfield Fyre, 13-year-old bay gelding, Canabis Z AKZ x Guidam, rider
Cassie, the youngest rider here, went very well across country at Burghley last year, adding 17th there to 18th at Kentucky in the spring. First and last phases are less impressive for this young US pair, but a first Badminton completion with a good clear in the middle phase would be a thrill. Cassie is based with Ros Canter when in the UK and is also studying journalism.
19. Lucy Latta*
29, IRL
RCA Patron Saint, 15-year-old bay gelding, Birkhof’s Grafenstolz x unlisted, Alison, David & Lesley Crampton
We form-guide writers were caught out in 2024 when debutante Lucy blasted to second here with the fastest cross-country round. The pair missed Badminton last year when “Paddy” cut himself at home and had a late run-out at Burghley. Lucy, who works in marketing, will want to extend her improved four-star dressage to this level to help her be competitive again.
20. Tom Bird
24, GBR
Cowling Hot Gossip, 14-year-old dark bay gelding, Away With The Fairies x Welton Ambassador, rider, his mother Frances & Helen Kerry
Tom lives in Warwickshire. He was 39th here on his Badminton debut with this horse, with a jumping clear across country and has also completed Burghley twice. They’d need to make a serious improvement on their first and last phase scores to move up the ranks, but they have put up some decent cross-country performances and should keep building experience.
21. Arthur Marx
32, FRA
Church’Ile, 14-year-old bay gelding, Birkhof’s Grafenstolz TSF x Apache D’Adriers, rider’s father Philippe
Arthur bred Church’Ile with his father. Fiftieth at Badminton last year – a first completion at their third attempt – as well as 24th at Burghley, but have had cross-country jumping penalties on their past six international starts and never showjumped clear. In all, they have started seven five-stars and completed four, so will aim to keep improving that record.
22. Kylie Roddy
44, GBR
SRS Kan Do, 16-year-old bay gelding, VDL Arkansas x Touchdown, Anne & Colin Fox
Badminton has proved frustrating for this capable pair, with Kylie pulling up after the horse lost a shoe on their 2022 debut, being eliminated for missing a flag in 2024 and then having a fall early on last year. But they’ve been fifth, 11th and 19th at Pau, as well as sixth at Luhmühlen, so capable of top 20 if it all comes together. Kylie is based in Buckinghamshire.
23. Jesse Campbell
36, NZL
Cooley Lafitte, 14-year-old brown gelding, Je T’Aime Flamenco x Scirocco D’Elle, Jay Jaffar
This pair were in the top 21 at both British five-stars in 2024. Last year the Kent-based rider withdrew after a disappointing dressage here and pulled up after an early run-out at Burghley. He rounded out the year with 20th at Pau, where their first two phases went well but they had 16 showjumping faults. Could be back in the top 20 if it all comes together.
24. Emma Hyslop-Webb
43, GBR
Jeweetwel, 12-year-old bay gelding, Dexter R x Special D, rider
This Leicestershire pair have crossed the finish flags at Burghley twice with 20 jumping penalties across country and recently won a small-field CCI4*-L in Portugal. Their scores there wouldn’t be competitive here, but hopefully it will give them confidence for a decent run. Emma completed Badminton on two horses, Waldo III and Pennlands Douglas, in 2019.
26. Sam Ecroyd
29, GBR
Boleybawn Lecrae, 11-year-old bay gelding, Boleybawn Ecstasy x Lux Z, Stewart & Vicki Irlam
A long-awaited Badminton debut for Sam, who was poised to come here when he suffered a serious fall in 2021. He had a great 2025 with Boleybawn Lecrae, with 10th at Bramham Horse Trials CCI4*-L and then 17th at Pau, where three rails down was the only disappointment. Sam is based in north Wales alongside his partner, fellow Badminton rider Emily King.
27. Jonelle Price
45, NZL
Chilli’s Midnight Star, 12-year-old bay gelding, Chilli Morning x Laban, Nikki & Elise Axon & Merrill Halstead
One of three progeny of the 2015 Badminton winner Chilli Morning competing this year, this horse was ninth on his five-star debut at Maryland – which sounds impressive but it was a small field, so this was achieved despite 31 jumping penalties across country. His four-star form is also a bit mixed. Dorset-based Jonelle won Badminton 2018 on Classic Moet.
28. Helen Bates
30, GBR
Carpe Diem, 16-year-old dark brown gelding, Contendro I x Escudo I, rider & her parents Christine & Alistair
Helen and her parents bought “Demon” as a four-year-old from Brightwells Auction. The pair have completed Badminton twice (37th in 2024 and 42nd in 2025) and been inside the top 26 at Pau twice. Likely to be towards the back after dressage and go steadily across country but should put another finish on their CV. Helen lives in Gloucestershire.
29. Sarah Ennis
51, IRL
Grantstown Jackson, 15-year-old bay gelding, Clover Brigade x Right Win, Peter Cole & Susanna Francke
This horse caught the eye blazing the Irish trail at the 2023 Europeans (14th) but his record has been mixed since, including 17th here in 2024 (Sarah’s best placing in five completions), elimination at Burghley 2024 and 40 jumping penalties at Badminton in 2025. Seventh at Boekelo last year was hopeful, but recently had a 20 at Kronenberg, so unpredictable.
30. Tiana Coudray
37, USA
Cancaras Girl, 16-year-old brown mare, Cancara x Narew, rider and Jatial Ltd
This mare has made five five-star starts and recorded her two completions at Badminton, with 25th in 2024 and 44th last year, when she had 20 penalties at The Quarry. Tiana took a fall from her at Pau last autumn and they recently had 20 penalties at Kronenberg CCI4*-S so it’s not the ideal run-in and they’ll want to find the Badminton 2024 magic again.
32. Tayla Mason
32, NZL
Centennial, 15-year-old bay gelding, Euro Sport Centavos x Moonwalker, rider, her mother Sonya and brother Kyle, Sue Rutter
Wiltshire-based Tayla and Centennial, who was bred by Tayla’s mother Sonya, had a last minute call-up from the waiting list in 2025 and acquitted themselves well to finish 19th. Finished the year with eighth at Maryland, where they improved their dressage by 10 marks but missed a flag across country. They’ve also completed Pau twice. Can be top 20 again.
33. Arne Bergendahl
35, GER
Luthien NRW, 14 gr m, La Calido x Templer GL, Helmut Bergendahl
This pair’s Badminton debut last year came to a damp end when Luthien NRW stumbled on landing in The Lake. Made amends by repeating their 2023 14th place at Luhmühlen and then 13th at Pau. Their dressage is nothing to write home about but their good record in both jumping phases, bar a couple of blips at five-star, suggests a decent completion is feasible.
34. Michael Owen
47, GBR
Monbeg Darwin, 11-year-old bay gelding, Kiltealy Silver x Porter Rhodes, G Mayer Plant Hire Ltd
This Cheshire rider’s best Badminton result is 21st in 2002 on Perks Of The Job. Monbeg Darwin makes his five-star debut after three solid CCI4*-Ls, including ninth at Scone and 35th – marred by a flag penalty – at Bramham last year. His dressage is likely to leave him mid-field and may rack up time-penalties but will hope for an experience-building completion.
35. Will Rawlin
32, GBR
Ballycoog Breaker Boy, 14-year-old bay gelding, Womanizer x Bonnie Prince, rider & his parents Andrew & Miranda Rawlin
This pair have been 24th (best British first-timers) and 23rd at the past two renewals of Badminton and although Burghley has never worked out for them, no reason they can’t go well here again. No doubt Will would like to reduce his time-penalties across country and improve on three down showjumping each time. Recently third in Thoresby’s Grantham Cup.
36. Alex Hua Tian
36, CHN
Chicko, 16-year-old bay gelding, Corea x unlisted, rider, Kate & Peter Willis
Cheshire-based Alex has long been China’s flagbearer in international eventing. With Chicko, he’s been fourth and sixth at Pau. Last year Alex had some drama when he was thrown forward by Chicko catching a fence during the cross-country and plunged into a ditch, but could well improve on the rider’s Badminton best of 26th here on Magenta in 2010.
37. Harry Meade*
42, GBR
Annaghmore Valoner, 14-year-old bay mare, Coroner x Black Walter, Dinah & Stephen Posford & their daughter Juliet Carter
The 2024 Bramham CCI4*-L winner, who has twice been fourth at Burghley. It must be only a matter of time before world number one Harry wins a five-star and this mare can do a sub-30 dressage, so if that continues to improve and the right conditions materialise, she could be the one. Harry lives near Badminton (but doesn’t sleep at home during the event) and third in 2014 is his best result here.
40. Max Warburton
27, GBR
Deerpairc Revelry, 12-year-old grey gelding, Hermes De Reve x Dobel’s Cento, Paske Syndicate
A young pair who are undoubtedly talented. They had an experience-building season in 2025, with a CCI4*-S win at Aston-le-Walls and completions at the British five-stars, though with jumping penalties across country at both. Also second at Bramham CCI4*-L and 18th at Burghley in 2024. A top-20 finish is possible if it all comes together.
41. Wills Oakden
36, GBR
Keep It Cooley, 11-year-old bay gelding, Ramiro B x Master Imp, Elspeth & Geoff Adam
Fife-based Wills’ best Badminton results are two 12ths (2024 on Arklow Puissance and 2023 on Oughterard Cooley). Keep It Cooley didn’t have a great 2025, with retirement on his five-star debut at Luhmühlen and a rider fall at Scone CCI4*-L, but has good four-star form otherwise, including a win at Blair CCI4*-L in 2024, so Wills will want to recapture that.
43. Emma Thomas
26, GBR
Icarus, 13-year-old bay gelding, Otangelo x Lucky Boy, Wolfgang Nagy, Arthur Thomas and rider’s mother Rebecca Velarde
“Stixxy” is talented but can be tricky and this pair have never quite managed to recapture the form of their first Burghley (18th in 2023). But they have since been 36th and 28th there, as well as 52nd here last year with an early 20 penalties. It’s all good experience for young British talent Emma, a biology graduate who is based in Warwickshire.
44. Fiona Kashel
43, GBR
Creevagh Silver De Haar, 18-year-old grey gelding, Camiro De Haar Z x Golden River, rider
Surrey-based Fiona made it in off the waiting list three days before Badminton last year, then made a splash with seventh after dressage. She finished 35th, building on 50th in 2022. They’ve also completed Pau and Luhmühlen twice each (12th at Luhmühlen 2023). Time-faults seem to hold them off better placings, but no reason they can’t keep improving.
45. Luc Château
42, FRA
Viens Du Mont, 17-year-old bay gelding, Norway De La Lande x King’s Road, E.A.R.L. Haras Des Châteaux
On form and with a tougher cross-country day, this pair could be top 15, having been ninth at Pau 2022 and 11th at Badminton 2023. But it hasn’t quite come together since, with 32nd at Badminton 2024, after 20 jumping penalties across country, and some other less stellar form. They won’t be prominent after dressage, with international marks up to 54.6 last year.
46. Ros Canter*
40, GBR
Lordships Graffalo, 14-year-old bay gelding, Birkhof’s Grafenstolz x Rock King, Michele & Archie Saul
This Lincolnshire pair – defending champions, double Badminton and Burghley winners, 2024 Olympic team gold medallists and 2023 European champions – start as the out and out favourites. If they can win, Lordships Graffalo would become the first horse to win here three times. Ros had her second daughter in January, but there’s no sign that will slow her down and she and all-round brilliant performer “Walter” will be very difficult to beat here.
48. Emily King*
30, GBR
Valmy Biats, 17-year-old bay gelding, Orlando x Hadj A, rider & rider’s father David
This pair have been fourth and fifth here, but still haven’t cracked consistency, with retirement at Burghley and elimination at Pau 2025. So they certainly could win, but could equally well not finish – and they haven’t had the easiest build-up. Emily lives in north Wales with fellow competitor Sam Ecroyd. Her mother is two-time Badminton winner Mary King.
49. Alexander Bragg
45, GBR
Quindiva, 16-year-old bay mare, Quintender 2 x High Roller, The Roe Family
Alex is based in Somerset and is a former semi-professional rugby player and farrier. He and Quindiva hit the heights when third here in 2024 and consolidated with eighth at Burghley. A minor injury kept the mare away from competition last spring and she was then pulled up after a surprise stop at a big drop at Maryland in October. Top-six finishers on their day.
50. Sam Watson
40, IRL
Ballyneety Rocketman, 12-year-old bay gelding, Diamond Discovery x Errigal Flight, rider & his wife Hannah
Ballyneety Rocketman was 40th here last year, with a late 20 penalties, but improved in every phase for 13th at Burghley, so Sam can have hopes of a top-20 finish this time. The rider seeks a seventh completion here, with 13th his best result (2010, Horseware Bushman). Sam is co-founder of equestrian data analytics company EquiRatings.
52. Marcio Carvalho Jorge
51, BRA
Royal Encounter, 11-year-old bay gelding, Lancelot x Cavalier Royale, rider & Alastair, Annabel & Ken Vere Nicoll
Wiltshire-based Marcio has completed Badminton twice, his highest placing 23rd in 2014 on Josephine MCJ. Royal Encounter makes his five-star debut, having been second at Millstreet CCI4*-L last year and had three fifths at CCI4*-S. Average dressage and likely time-faults mean they are not gunning to win, but they can aim for a decent completion.
53. Laura Collett
36, GBR
Bling, 13-year-old chestnut mare, Kannan x Bahamian Bounty xx, Yvonne Ferguson
Gloucestershire-based Laura, a three-time Olympic medallist and Badminton 2022 winner on London 52, has had an interrupted spring due to collarbone surgery. Bling, a home-bred for her owner Yvonne Ferguson, had a useful run round here last year when she was just taken by surprise by a big drop, and was then 10th at Burghley, so could be competitive this time.
54. Tom Rowland
35, GBR
Dreamliner, 16-year-old grey gelding, Jumbo x Baryshnikov, Mark & Angela Chamberlayne
Gloucestershire-based Tom took on the Chamberlaynes’ home-bred Dreamliner in 2023 – he’d been placed at five-star with Oliver Townend – and they’ve had two great Badmintons with seventh in 2024 and 12th last year. Although the second half of the year never proves so successful for this grey, they return with high – and realistic – hopes of a third good result.
55. Daisy Berkeley
54, GBR
Diese Du Figuier, 13-year-old chestnut gelding, Enzzo x Fuego Du Prelet, rider
Gloucestershire-based Daisy was an Olympic, world and European medallist and third here in 2010 with the great Spring Along. The “petite, but beautifully balanced” French-bred Diese has brought her back to the big time, with second at Blenheim CCI4*-L in 2024. Backed that up with a double clear (16th) at Bramham CCI4*-L last year; dark horses for a top 10.
57. Nadja Minder
26, SUI
Toblerone, 19-year-old bay gelding, Yarlands Summer Song x unlisted, Nicole Basieux
Badminton debutants, who’ve completed three other five-stars including 20th at Burghley 2024 and been in the top 25 at the past two European Championships. Could be in the top 20 if everything goes well and a solid completion would be lovely as this grand campaigner, who has been Nadja’s partner since young riders, comes towards the end of his long career. Oldest horse.
58. Wouter De Cleene
38, BEL
Quintera, 14-year-old bay mare, Quintender 2 x Waldstar xx, Katrien Arnauts & Bart Goeminne
This pair made their debut here last year and finished with a run-out at the arrowhead in The Lake on their record. They went on to represent Belgium at the Europeans, but Wouter fell in the GFS Saddles Water. Put the wheels back on with a solid recent performance at Kronenberg CCI4*-S. Here to keep building experience rather than take a prize.
59. Aaron Millar
39, GBR
Friendship VDL, 16-year-old bay gelding, Azteca VDL x A Hold Up Premier, Heidi Bates & Hilary Prewecki
Friendship VDL has solid four-star form, including sixth at Bramham CCI4*-L 2024, and was 25th at Burghley that year, but was withdrawn after dressage at Badminton last year and before dressage at Burghley. Let’s hope he can make the cross-country start this time. Aaron, who completed Badminton 2009 on Stormstay, lives in Wiltshire.
60. Benjamin Massie
40, FRA
Filao De Perle, 11-year-old bay gelding, Upsilon x Echo Des Forets II, rider and Veronique Real
Benjamin was 30th on his only previous visit to Badminton, in 2010 with Haston D’Elpegère. Filao De Perle is one of the first progeny of his sire, the prolific four-star winner Upsilon, to reach top level. His four-star form is solid rather than outstanding, but after a couple of “trial runs” at five-star, he was seventh at Pau last autumn, so worth keeping an eye on him.
61. Lara de Liedekerke-Meier
38, BEL
Hooney D’Arville, 13-year-old grey mare, Vigo D’Arsouilles STX x Jet Set Du Rezidal, rider’s mother Barbara, Five Star Eventers srl & Larga SPRL
The 2024 Luhmühlen winners, who were 14th here last year and seventh at the Europeans. Not 100% reliable across country and had a fall at Kronenberg this spring, but could be top 10 on best form. Lara’s best result here is 10th in 2014 on Ducati Van Den Overdam. Home-bred Hooney’s embryo transfer foal, by Diarado, is due on Badminton weekend.
63. Felix Vogg*
35, SUI
Cartania, 15-year-old dark brown mare, Cartani 4 x Clinton, Phoenix Eventing Sàrl and rider
Although she’s been in the top 15 at two championships, this mare has made five-star her speciality and proved she’s one of the elite when she won Maryland last year. Fell at the double of gates near the end last year here, which was a blip in otherwise good results – she’s also been 15th and 11th here and 13th at Burghley. Should be top 10 or could even win.
64. Tim Price*
47, NZL
Falco, 17-year-old bay gelding, Cardenio 2 x Weinberg, Sue Benson & rider
Dorset-based Tim has won six five-stars but not yet Badminton; his best result is third. Falco could change that, having won Pau, been second at Maryland, taken double world bronze and been sixth at the Paris Olympics – although he hasn’t done much since withdrawal at the final trot-up at Kentucky last year. His owner Sue Benson was second here in 1979.
65. Padraig McCarthy
48, IRL
Lady Ophelia, 14-year-old bay mare, Legal Lady x Over The River, Emma De Haan, Denis Hickey, Pamela Idelson & rider
Eighth in 2018 on Mr Chunky is Devon-based Padraig’s best Badminton finish. Dressage is likely to prevent this mare from beating that, but she was 15th at Pau last year – after falling at Burghley 2024 – and has decent four-star form. A late-starter in eventing, Padraig has a PhD and previously showjumped. His wife Lucy (née Wiegersma) was second here in 2008.
66. Gaspard Maksud
33, FRA
Zaragoza, 13-year-old bay mare, Cevin Z x Saracen Hill, Martin Thurlow & Jane Young
This pair were 25th here last year, when they broke a frangible at the sunken road and had 12 showjumping penalties, but can go better, as sixth and seventh at the past two Burghleys prove. They were also in the top eight individually at the 2023 Europeans (team bronze) and the 2022 worlds. A top-10 finish is a realistic aim for Surrey-based Gaspard.
67. Grace Taylor
30, USA
Game Changer, 14-year-old bay gelding, Cassidee x Titus Livius, rider’s mother Ann
This pair have been 18th and 30th on their two starts here, although autumn five-stars have been more mixed with elimination at Maryland 2024, retirement at Burghley last year and then 16th at Pau. So they aren’t hugely consistent, but Badminton has been good for them so far and on their best form they can return to the top 20. Grace lives in Northamptonshire.
68. Tom Strawson
37, GBR
Public Address, 12-year-old bay gelding, Milan x Robellino, rider
Lincolnshire-based Tom works full-time in property and was Midlands Area champion point-to-point jockey three times. Public Address also came out of racing, running twice in Ireland. He cost Tom less than £2,000 and the pair were 21st at Burghley 2025. Hoping to up their game in the first and last phases on this Badminton debut.
69. Holly Richardson
32, GBR
Bally Louis, 16-year-old brown gelding, unlisted x unlisted, Andrew, Julie and Sarah Wingfield
This Yorkshire pair made a strong start at five-star with 22nd at Burghley 2023, but it hasn’t quite worked out since, with an error of course at Badminton 2024 and withdrawal at the second trot-up at Burghley that year. Bally Louis sat out the first half of last season and then did some four-stars at the end of the year. Here for experience rather than the front ranks.
71. Harry Meade*
42, GBR
Cavalier Crystal, 16-year-old bay mare, Jack Of Diamonds x Cavalier Royale, Charlotte & Peter Opperman
Harry wasn’t sure this mare would make five-star but she’s now an out-and-out performer at the level, with three thirds at Burghley and fourth at Badminton last year on her first-phase score. So far, it’s dressage preventing world number one Harry from taking the winner’s spot, but odds-on for a top-six again. Third in 2014 is Harry’s best Badminton placing.
74. Caroline Powell*
53, NZL
Greenacres Special Cavalier, 13-year-old bay mare, Cavalier Royale x Touchdown, Chris and Michelle Mann and rider
The 2024 Badminton winners – fifth at Pau 2022 and sixth at Maryland 2023 – who’ve since won twice at four-star but not had shown much at five-star with a retirement at Burghley and withdrawal before dressage here last year. Likely to be top 10, but unlikely to win again – but then, it felt unlikely the first time, so let’s not discount them. Caroline’s yard is in Suffolk.
76. Tom Jackson
33, GBR
Hawk Eye, 14-year-old bay gelding, Beach Ball x unlisted, Helen Scott
Surrey-based Tom took over this horse last year and the pair were third at Bramham CCI4*-L and 19th at Burghley, with an unfortunate run-out late on. Tom was fifth here in 2023 and 2024 on Capels Hollow Drift and while he won’t be super prominent after dressage this time – unless he can repeat an outlying 25.9 from Burgham last year – he could rise to the top 10.
77. David Doel
33, GBR
Midnight Rollercoaster, 16-year-old dark bay gelding, Diamond Roller x Osilvis, Alison Lidstone
David initially took over this horse last season while his owner Alison Lidstone, who produced him to advanced level, had knee surgery and has managed to hang onto the ride for the horse’s five-star debut. He’s only had one cross-country blip with David so while unlikely to better David’s sixth here on his 2022 debut, he should be set for a fair crack.
This Badminton Horse Trials entries form guide is also available in 7 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine.
How to watch and listen to Badminton Horse Trials
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.