Last week, Laura Collett rode into the Badminton Horse Trials history books by finishing on the lowest ever score at the event, which was presented by Mars Equestrian. Here, we take a look back at how Laura Collett won Badminton on London 52 from start to finish…
First horse inspection
Laura Collett trots up Badminton winner London 52
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Laura and London 52 kicked off their week by looking fantastic at the first horse inspection, which is held in front of Badminton House.
Dressage
Laura Collett and London 52 lead the dressage at Badminton 2022
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Laura and London 52 performed their dressage test on the Friday of Badminton. The ground jury of Seppo Laine, Christian Landolt and Anne-Marie Taylor awarded Laura a leading first phase score of 21, with no less than three 10s given for good measure.
Badminton final scores
“It’s not often you go into an arena at Badminton and have a lovely time, but that horse is just so nice to ride and he was so with me – I can’t believe how emotional I am,” Laura said after her test. “This was what we all dream of – he just was so with me and I just knew anything going wrong was going to be my mistake, so I’m just so proud of him.”
Cross-country
On cross-country day, Laura gave her equine partner a masterful ride. They had an early sticky moment on the course when London 52 left a leg at the first part of the HorseQuest Quarry at fence four.
The moment you realise schooling all those Olly Murphy Racing racehorses and going to Cheltenham Fit gym pays off ? Amazing sequence of photos captured by Emma Spindletree spindletreephotography.co.uk ?Posted by Laura Collett Eventing on Tuesday, May 10, 2022
He then had a little look at the Vicarage Vee and looked like he might be tiring when they were held three-quarters of the way around the course. Arguably this helped London 52 to recover a little before being re-started and galloping home as they came in clear inside the 11min 44sec optimum time, but Laura said afterwards, being held with him was an unknown as it had not happened to him before throughout his eventing career. Laura described the course as “relentless” after her round.
What happens to a horse when they get held on course?Here's a little insight to what happened on Saturday when London 52 and Laura Collett were held during their round.Captured by @equineproductions @JockeyCamPosted by Badminton Horse Trials on Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Now it’s time to strap yourself in and ‘ride’ around Badminton aboard London 52…
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What an incredible week and what an incredible winner, but we are not ready for the fun to be over quite yet.Come and ride every stride and jump every jump with our 2022 Winner Laura Collett and London 52.Thanks to Equine Productions and Laura Collett Eventing for making this possible.3, 2, 1 GO…#badmintonhorsetrials #equineproductions #marsequestrianPosted by Badminton Horse Trials on Monday, May 9, 2022
Final horse inspection and showjumping
Laura Collett and London 52 en-route to winning Badminton
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
London 52 flew through the final horse inspection on the Sunday morning, before becoming the final horse into the main arena to jump later in the afternoon, and what a round it was. The pair jumped an immaculate clear round, adding just .4 of a time-fault to their 21 dressage, winning by almost five penalties.
Laura Collett riding London 52 for GREAT BRITAIN during the trot-up of the Badminton Horse Trails presented by Mars Equestrian, held at Badminton House in the village of Badminton near Malmesbury in Gloucestershire in the UK, on the 04th May 2021
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
