Go behind the scenes with an exclusive peek at Laura Collett’s yard

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

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

Jumping Creggan Quality, a novice event horse, in her school

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

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

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

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 on NAF 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.

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.

Former five-star campaigner Mr Bass (red rug) and his field companion.

London 52 (Dan) wearing a magnetic rug in his stable.

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

Approaching a fence at speed on one of Olly ’s hurdlers

Laura uses V-poles to help the racehorses bascule

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

Tilly Hughes does all the fitness work on Dacapo – “they have a special relationship,” says Laura.

Dan’s the man: London 52 at the top of the 8f gallop. “He loves work, any work,” says Laura

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials

You may also enjoy reading…

Defending champion heads up Badminton entries – plus what’s unusual this time

London 52 – meet the eventing superstar who had to learn to go across country

How Laura Collett won Badminton: a pillar-to-post victory captured in pictures, plus ‘ride’ London 52 round the cross-country

The apple connoisseur: Badminton leader Laura Collett’s groom Tilly Hughes on how to keep London 52 happy

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Martha Terry

H&H features editor

Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on dogs of all shapes and sizes. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs, one a street dog from Gambia who was abandoned at three weeks old. Now, her constant companion, whether by her feet at her desk or walking cross-country courses, 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.