The Olympic gold medallist is gearing up to defend the Badminton title she won last year on London 52, who she was recently forced to withdraw from this year’s event after a minor injury. Last month, H&H paid a visit to Laura Collett’s yard in Gloucestershire to witness her exceptional work ethic and meet some lovely horses. Here’s a sneak peek at what goes on behind the scenes in the life of a top five-star event rider.
Laura starts riding at 6.30am and the day of H&H’s visit, she worked three Flat racehorses in the school. They are trained by William Haggas, and are staying with Laura for some pre-season training.
Laura washes down three-year-old Flat horse Lord Bertie after schooling
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Laura might ride up to 14 or 15 horses a day. They will be a mix of her own event horses, Flat racehorses in for schooling, and National Hunt horses for jumping practice. The work is varied, from schooling on the flat, visits to the gallops, jumping and hacking. The local hacking is exceptional over the Salperton Park estate where Laura’s yard is based, and there are plenty of hills for fitness.
Laura hacks out a four-year-old Flat filly in company with groom Polly Holbrook aboard a youngster
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Jumping Creggan Quality, a novice event horse, in her school
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Two terriers are part of the scene at the yard. As well as Laura’s dog Coco, groom Hannah Norvill has Tui (named after a New Zealand bird, not the travel company).
Coco doesn’t think much of the wind and rain
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The team: Hannah Norvill (and Tui), head girl Tilly Hughes, Laura (and Coco), Elsa Ireland and Polly Holbrook in the American barn where Laura keeps her eventers
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Most of the horses are on straw beds to keep costs down, except for those who need to be on shavings.
Tilly Hughes mucking out. Most of Laura’s horses are kept in this American-style barn, and there is an additional L-shaped block of stables outside
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Laura’s horses are fed on Dodson & Horrell. The younger horses have fibre cubes and alfa, while the more advanced horse are on Elite Sport Muesli and alfa. The ones that need fattening up get build-up mix. Laura has all her horses onNAF SuperFlex, a joint supplement. “People think you only need it for older horses but I think it helps the younger ones as they learning new things, and don’t have as much musculature to support their joints.”
Feeding champions with Dodson & Horrell and NAF.
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Laura’s old favourite, Mr Bass, lives the life of Riley turned out full time in a large field. Although the other horses do not get as much turnout time during the cold, wet months, they are kept busy, on the walker, wearing the magnetic rugs, and being ridden.
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Former five-star campaigner Mr Bass (red rug) and his field companion.
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London 52 (Dan) wearing a magnetic rug in his stable.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
A home away from home
Laura doesn’t just ride at home. Halfway through the day, she drives up to Olly Murphy’s National Hunt yard, where she schools seven jumpers.
Ready for a leg-up
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Approaching a fence at speed on one of Olly ’s hurdlers
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Laura uses V-poles to help the racehorses bascule
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
On the way home from Olly’s, Laura stops off at Jackdaws Castle to gallop her two big guns, London 52 and Dacapo, whom Tilly has driven over.
Unloaded and ready to gallop at Jackdaws Castle
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Tilly Hughes does all the fitness work on Dacapo – “they have a special relationship,” says Laura.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Dan’s the man: London 52 at the top of the 8f gallop. “He loves work, any work,” says Laura
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How to watch Badminton Horse Trials
If you are interested in watching Badminton Horse Trials live from the comfort of your home, wherever you are in the world, then you will need to subscribe to Badminton TV. To sign up, visit watch.badminton-horse.tv – click the “Sign Up” link in the top right corner of your screen, then follow the instructions. An annual subscription to Badminton TV costs £19.99 and gives you 365 days of access to all of the content in the Badminton TV library, the ability to watch the action live, and the option to replay all of this year’s action later.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
