Tributes have been paid to Mulrys Error, the supercob with dinner-plate feet who excelled on the toughest eventing tracks going, and inspired and won hearts across the world.

Sallie Ryle’s part-bred Clydesdale, who was once sold for €1,600 (£1,300) but went on to achieve double jumping clears at Badminton and Burghley with Ben Hobday, has died aged 23 of natural causes, after a happy retirement with Ben.

“With him, I felt I could conquer the world and he let me do it,” Ben told H&H. “He was an incredible horse and I’m very lucky to have been part of it; it was very special.”

Mulrys Error was born in Ireland, by thoroughbred Eves Error, out of an unregistered Clydesdale mare who had been bought by Michael Fallon as payment for sheep shearing. He was papered at two by Michael’s friend, Mark Mulry, and sold as an unbacked three-year-old.

Sallie bought him for herself and her daughter to share, and Sallie evented him to novice level, having lessons with Ben along the way.

“They’re a really nice family, and I always used to ask if I could ride him as he jumped so well, and Sallie would say, ‘No, he’s my fun horse’!” Ben said. “She was training for her first international, a one-star at Tattersalls [in 2011], then less than a week beforehand, she said she wanted to relax and enjoy it, and would I ride him. I was very quick to say yes – and I never gave the reins back!”

Ben said Mulry was “a bit of a handful” at that first event; “pulling wheelies and bucking”, but performed a good dressage test.

“Because he was a big lad, I thought we wouldn’t make the time across country so I started off quite quick – and came back 35 seconds inside the time,” he said. “Mark Mulry was there and he was ecstatic; crying his eyes out and saying he was going to be the best horse ever, but we didn’t have a clue what was going to happen.

“From the word go, he was a real trier. I always got the sense that we were a team; he listened to me and I listened to him in return. He was an incredible animal who defied the odds. I can’t get across enough the feeling he gave me, that he could do anything and jump anything.”

After that one-star (now two-star) event, Ben and Mulrys Error moved up the levels, contesting a two-star that season and three-stars the next. They jumped clear at Burghley in 2014 and contested their first Badminton a year later.

In June 2015, Ben was diagnosed with cancer. He finished his chemotherapy treatment that September, was back in the saddle shortly afterwards – and he and Mulry jumped clear at Badminton 2016, in a moment voted the most memorable of the year at the Horse & Hound Awards six months later.

“In hindsight, I realise the state I was in,” Ben said. “I’m quite a stubborn person and if I decide to do something, I do it. Sallie didn’t treat me like I was ill, she didn’t pity me, she said if I wanted to do it, we’d do it. It gave me something to work towards, something to hope for and it got me out of hospital and started the journey.

“I’m very grateful to Sallie because a lot of people, nicely, pity you, and pity doesn’t make you stronger. You’ve always got to have something to work towards and a reason to get up and he was that reason. I’ll always be indebted to him for that.”

Inspiring others

Mulry’s last top-level event was Badminton 2018, at which he finished in front of a cheering crowd. He had become a social media sensation, with thousands of followers, and Ben said his unlikely stamp for a top event horse inspired others.

“If you’d seen him in the field and didn’t know him, you’d never believe he’d done what he did,” he said. “He probably was destined to be a hunter, but it was nice he showed the world he was so much more than that.

“I used to get so many messages from people who might not have had much money or a fancy horse, but they’d started eventing and loved it. They’d seen the cob and this northern rider doing it and warmed to it. He used to get fan mail!”

Mulry enjoyed some hunting during his retirement, which was happy to the end.

“Sallie’s amazing, and he was part of her family, but I said he’d been such a big part of my life and I’d love to look after him for the rest of his days, and he was happy,” Ben said. “He was such a fantastic horse in every way, a real dude, a gentleman, who wanted to work, the hardest trier in the stable.”

Mulrys Error has been buried at home.

“I put a big bale of straw in, a load of flowers and a picture,” Ben said. “I had a beer, sat there and cried my eyes out and then buried him. I was with him every step and that means a lot. He was a great, great horse.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The popular supercob Mulrys Error completed his third and final Badminton Horse Trials cross-country today with Ben Hobday

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Eventer Ben Hobday continued to make inroads into a second discipline, picking up his biggest show jumping win to date with a victory in the 1.50m area trial at Lincolnshire Agricultural Show (18-19 June).

Ben is known for making his mark with unusual horses — partnering the part-Clydesdale “supercob” Mulrys Error to five-star prowess — and this time he beat some very competitive company on the 15hh Lonely Van De Rikse.

“I’m buzzing, I was very happy with the little lad,” said Ben, who bought the nine-year-old gelding when he was two, starting his showjumping career two years ago.

“It was his first 1.50m and he’s only 15hh — he might be even smaller than that, we’ve not put a stick on him — and he’s really quite special. He’s a real trier who gives 100% every time.

“I’ve moved to Lincolnshire, so it’s my local show, so to win here was really nice,” he added.

Ben jumped the sole clear of the first round but the table A9 format meant he could still be beaten, as the top five combinations come forward against the clock.

“It was a bit nerve-racking,” said Ben, whose first round clear earned him final draw in the jump off. “Both Ryan Page (BP Kojax) and George Whitaker (Zirocco Zoom) had gone clear, but had four faults in the first round. Ryan had been quick but George was slower and I thought I just needed a steady clear to win it.

“I had a rub at the first fence — I might have been a bit complacent — so after that I had to put my foot down and I managed to sneak the win.”

Ben crossed the line 0.60sec ahead of Ryan and Kojax, a very consistent combination who are currently heading the BS gold league, proving Lonely Van De Rikse against the clock for the first time at this level.

“I’ve been trying to educate him, so I’ve never ridden him at pace in a big class,” Ben said. “I’d not been in that position before, so I thought I might as well give it a go. We have a lot of fun with him and he’s starting to become a right little winner.”

Ben almost sold the Connect x Back Gammon gelding as a five-year-old and started his career late.

“He was a bit behind as a five-year-old as he was little and scrawny and a bit too careful and I had too many, we thought he’d probably be a junior’s horse,” he said.

“When we took him to his first show, we jumped a 1.10m and he was giving everything 3ft. He’d have the back bar of combinations but we started to find our way with him.

“By March he’d won his first 1.10m and then he won his first 1.30m at the end of May or June and by the August he was jumping 1.40ms.

“Because he’s little, we’ve worked on the best way to train his stride bigger and it’s starting to come together. He could struggle from big oxer to big oxer on a five or six stride distance but I’ve learned a lot from watching John Whitaker ride — he rides the horse, not the course,” Ben added.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The 2025 Mars Badminton Horse Trials field was thinned by three at the first trot-up, with Paris 2024 Olympic individual medallist Shadow Man among those out of the competition.

A full field of 85 came before the Badminton ground jury of Xavier Le Sauce, Nick Burton and Robert Stevenson at this afternoon’s (7 May) veterinary inspection, and 82 will go forwards to the first phase.

Shadow Man won silver in Paris last summer with Australia’s Christopher Burton and returned to regular rider Ben Hobday ahead of an autumn campaign that included finishing 12th at Pau CCI5*. The 15-year-old gelding, who is owned by Ben and his father Stephen, was withdrawn from the holding box.

E.A.R.L. Haras Des Châteaux’s Viens Du Mont, who finished 11th here in 2023 with French rider Luc Château, and Spano De Nazca, with whom Britain’s Georgia Bartlett claimed the best under-25 prize last year, were both sent to the holding box, but were not accepted on re-inspection.

British-based US rider Grace Taylor’s Badminton Horse Trials entry Game Changer, owned by Grace’s mother Ann, was also held, before being given the nod of approval on re-presentation.

Badminton final scores

The addition in recent years of Wednesday shopping, as well as the LeMieux Grassroots Championships, which finished shortly before the first trot-up for the CCI5* Badminton Horse Trials competitors, gives added buzz to the atmosphere on this day at Badminton.

Big crowds gathered in the warm May afternoon sunshine and many of these super-fit five-star horses were on their toes.

Tom Rowland’s established campaigner Dreamliner, owned by breeders Mark and Angela Chamberlayne, cantered back towards the ground jury and was asked to trot again.

Oliver Townend’s 18-year-old four-time CCI5*-winning partner Ballaghmor Class, who is owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan, looked particularly fresh. So too did David Doel’s ride Galileo Nieuwmoed, who he owns with Mary Fox and Gillian Jonas and who was runner-up to Ballaghmor Class at Burghley in 2023.

Britain’s Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI will be the first combination between the white boards on the opening day of dressage (Thursday, 8 May) at 9am.

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials

If you want to watch the live action from Badminton Horse Trials from the comfort of your home, wherever you are in the world, you will need to subscribe to Badminton TV. This year, Badminton TV has teamed up with ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch Badminton – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £21.99. Go to clipmyhorse.tv/en_GB/badminton to subscribe or to activate your account as an existing Badminton TV subscriber. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. As part of Badminton TV, you can enjoy the documentary programme Legends and Legacy, a fly-on-the-wall insight into the 2024 event and preview of 2025.

Enjoy the best of Badminton with Horse & Hound

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How to watch Badminton Horse Trials live from anywhere in the world

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Ben Hobday and Shadow Man’s reunion has gone from strength to strength as the pair impressed with a five-star cross-country jumping clear at Pau Horse Trials today (26 October).

Australia’s Christopher Burton won individual Olympic silver with Shadow Man in Paris this summer; the horse joined Christopher on a temporary basis with the 2024 Games as the target, and returned to Ben after the exceptional feat.

Ben and Shadow Man, a 14-year-old gelding who Ben has produced to top level, finished 10th at Lignières and second at Strzegom on their most recent outings.

Those short-format four-stars have led to a tilt at the final five-star of 2024 in France. The pair followed up their sub-30 dressage with a confident cross-country performance to hold 15th place in the big Pau field ahead of Sunday’s showjumping on a score of 53.6.

“At the beginning of the year, we decided to give the horse a chance at Olympics, which Chris executed perfectly,” said Ben, after his dressage test.

“The horse got to fulfil what we had dreamed of since he was a four- or five-year-old.”

He added that the horse means so much to him that it was “very weird” not having him in the yard and watching someone else ride him, while crediting Christopher for doing “a fantastic job”.

“When he came back, it was a real moment for us, so we’re just having fun,” said Ben, who has recently been having help from Bettina Hoy on the flat.

“There’s no pressure now. That’s the way I’m looking at it. I’m just going to enjoy him and if good things happen, they do. He has to enjoy himself, and so have I.”

After cross-country, Ben added that he is “extremely proud” of Shadow Man.

“He’s had a busy year and been very successful,” said Ben, who owns the horse with Jane Chambers and Stephen Hobday. “He really gave his heart today, and you’ve got to be grateful for that.”

Britain’s Caroline Harris and D.Day head the Pau Horse Trials results after cross-country, with Ros Canter and Izilot DHI in second and Tom McEwen on Brookfield Quality third at this stage.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Pau Horse Trials, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The top three riders in the world head up a strong list of Pau Horse Trials entries for the French five-star (24–27 October).

World number one Tom McEwen is one of 25 British riders planning to compete and brings forward John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn’s Brookfield Quality, who seeks a first five-star completion after retirement at Luhmühlen Horse Trials, and MHS Brown Jack, a debutant at the level owned by Fred and Penny Barker.

Tom’s fellow Paris team gold medallist, world number two Ros Canter, also has two rides. She and Izilot DHI, owned by his rider and Alex Moody, will defend the title they won last year and aim to file another strong result after leading the dressage but retiring after an early run-out across country at Burghley Horse Trials. Ros’s other ride, Deirdre Johnston and Lady Milnes Coates’s MHS Seventeen, will have his first tilt at this level.

Other notable British entries include Ben Hobday with Shadow Man, who was ridden to Olympic individual silver this summer by Australia’s Chris Burton, but is now back with his original rider. Ben and the chestnut finished 10th at Lignières CCI4*-S since re-forming their partnership.

Zara Tindall (Class Affair), Pippa Funnell (MCS Maverick) and Emily King (Valmy Biats) are also among those seeking redemption after problems at Burghley, as is Oliver Townend with Kentucky Three-Day Event winner Cooley Rosalent. Oliver also pilots five-star first-timers En Taro Des Vernier and Crazy Du Loir.

A stallion is always noteworthy at this level and Halo will make his five-star debut here under Piggy March.

Big entries for Pau Horse Trials

There are 80 horses from 14 countries on the current full list of Pau Horse Trials entries.

World number three Tim Price brings forward a five-star first-timer for New Zealand in Jarillo, while his compatriot Clarke Johnstone will ride his Paris mount Menlo Park.

The USA’s Boyd Martin rides his Paris horse, Federman B, as well as five-star first-timer Miss Lulu Herself. He is joined in the trip across the Atlantic by world team silver medallists Will Coleman and Off The Record.

Two combinations from Sweden’s Olympic team will tackle Pau in Frida Andersen with Box Leo and Sofia Sjoborg on Bryjamolga VH Marienshof Z, as well as their Paris alternate pair Malin Asai and Golden Midnight.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Pau, Maryland, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Australia’s Chris Burton has taken on the ride of Ben Hobday’s Shadow Man, as he campaigns horses for Paris 2024 selection in both eventing and showjumping.

Ben has produced 14-year-old Shadow Man, who is co-owned with Jane Chambers, up the levels through to five-star. In 2017 the pair were crowned British novice champions at the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing, and went on to finish 10th in the seven-year-old World Championship at Le Lion. In 2019 they enjoyed four top-five placings at four-star level, and were named British national champions.

Shadow Man will join Chris, who was on the team that won eventing bronze at the Rio Olympics, for six months – with Paris selection the aim.

Ben, who has recently set up a new base in Lincolnshire, told H&H when he was approached about Shadow Man “it wasn’t really on the radar initially”.

“But then we had a good think about it, and thought what were the realistic chances of me doing Paris this year. And Shadow Man was off last year [following an injury in 2022] so it goes against you from a selection point of view sometimes, especially for Great Britain with such a strong field of talented riders and horses,” he said.

“We had a further think about it and we came to the solution that Chris could borrow Shadow Man for six months and aim for the Olympics.”

Ben said it was a “tough decision”.

“I’ve had the horse since he was a two-year-old, and although this is all very exciting, he hasn’t left my sight for nearly 12 years. It’s a good thing overall, we’ve had great results with him, and when they approached us a bit of a light bulb came on and it means Shadow Man still has an opportunity to shine. It would be selfish of me not to let him fulfil that potential,” he said.

“Chris has been very fond of the horse for a long time, he rides very well and I certainly wouldn’t have agreed if it was a different rider. Chris has evented and jumped at a very high level, and his style of riding is very accurate and efficient so I was pleased from that point of view; he would do him justice.”

Chris and Shadow Man made their debut together at Montelibretti, Italy, on 3 March, where they had a double jumping clear in the CCI3*-S, with some cross-country time-penalties.

“It’s easy for me to say he’s the best horse in the world, in my opinion, and although Chris admired the horse, it’s not until he sat on him and took him through a competition he realised how good he is. It’s nice as a horse producer and horseman for someone else to recognise what I already knew was there. That’s what I want to try and get out of this year; if Shadow Man does what I think he can do, then I know my judgement is correct,” said Ben.

“It’s an exciting year for the horse, and a new part of his journey, and I hope it brings Chris all the success in the world. He can come back home then and we can continue on our journey and partnership, and next year for me could be some big things for Team GB if things go to plan.”

Ben, who this year will be concentrating on some “exciting” younger horses in eventing and showjumping, said it is Shadow Man’s “self-belief” that makes him so special.

“When the pressure is on and things get big, some horses shrink but he grows. When people are clapping he knows it’s for him and not for anyone else,” he said.

“He’s got that inner confidence, coupled with his talent, that makes him trainable, rideable, and makes the work fun and very easy. I said it from day one, I knew he’d be a superstar.”

Chris said he is “really excited” to have this opportunity.

“I have always admired Shadow Man and I am loving getting to know him; I have loved every ride I have had on him so far, he is an extraordinary horse.

“We have an intense few months ahead of us but it will be made that bit easier by having such a lovely horse that has been so well produced by Ben up to this level. We are all really excited about the road ahead, as steep as it may be.”

The event was Chris’s first since 2021, having been focusing on showjumping in the last few years. Last summer he helped Australia secure a Paris showjumping place when he and 12-year-old mare Chedington Hazy Toulana were part of the winning team in the group qualifier at Valkenswaard, the Netherlands.

Chris will aim for Olympic selection in both disciplines, with Chedington Hazy Toulana already qualified for the Paris showjumping. He also hopes to have a second horse qualified for the showjumping, 10-year-old gelding Jacksonville Eurohill.

“Competing in two disciplines simultaneously presents a unique challenge, but I am fully committed to the cause,” said Chris.

“I am so fortunate to have the support of the Guy family at Chedington Equestrian who have shown unwavering support and enthusiasm for our ambitious pursuit.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Horse sport’s travelling circus moves to Germany this week, with Luhmühlen five-star. And there’s top-class racing and showing action in the UK too…

1. Luhmühlen Horse Trials, Germany

Dates: 16-19 June

More info: tgl.luhmuehlen.de/en

How to watch: Horse & Country 

Get the H&H lowdown: find all our web coverage at horseandhound.co.uk/tag/luhmuhlen-horse-trials plus report in next week’s magazine (issue dated 23 June)

Why we’re excited about it: a sizeable British entry comes forward in the Luhmühlen five-star including Bubby Upton (Cannavaro), Oliver Townend (Dreamliner and Lukas) and Ben Hobday (Shadow Man). They will do battle with the likes of Tim and Jonelle Price – with Jonelle on her former winner here, Faerie Dianimo – and Ireland’s Cathal Daniels, bringing Rioghan Rua back to the venue where she won European individual bronze in 2019.

2. Royal Ascot

Dates: 14–18 June

More info: ascot.com

How to watch: all the races live from 1.30-6pm on ITV, 6-6.30pm on ITV4

Get the H&H lowdown: we’ll be bringing you all the latest news and highlights at horseandhound.co.uk/tag/royal-ascot with a full report, insight and all the imagery from this five-day extravaganza in next week’s issue of H&H, in the shops on Thursday 23 June.

Why we’re excited about it: one of the highlights of the Flat racing calendar featuring 36 top flight races over five days, plus the all-important fashion. It’s a real spectacle!

3. Royal Three Counties, Three Counties Showground, Worcs

Dates: 17-19 June

More info: royalthreecounties.co.uk

Get the H&H lowdown: full report in 23 June issue of H&H

Why we’re excited about it: one of the biggest shows in the diary offering three days of action-packed showing set beneath the beautiful backdrop of the Malvern Hills. The equine village plays host to over 290 classes and there are a range of trade stands to keep you occupied between competitions. The circuit’s best riders will contend for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifications across horse and pony classes, and the supreme in-hand winner will book a pass to the Price Family supreme championship at HOYS in October. The show also has attractions, such as livestock showing and shopping, for the rest of the family.

4. Nunney Horse Trials, Somerset

Dates: 17-19 June

More info: schedule on British Eventing website

Get the H&H lowdown: read all about it in next week’s magazine, out 23 June

Why we’re excited about it: while other events struggle for entries, Nunney looks to have attracted a strong field, with over 75 in each of the international classes, the CCI3*-S and the CCI2*-S. Look out for Tamarillo’s clone Tomatillo competing in the CCI3*-S under Aaron Millar.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

There are 14 British-ridden horses are among the Luhmühlen Horse Trials entries for the five-star class (16-19 June).

Olympic team gold medallist Tom McEwen brings forward two first-timer five-star contenders in the Barkers’ Bob Chaplin and Barbara Coopers’ Braveheart B, while world champion Ros Canter will ride Kate James and Annie Makin’s Pencos Crown Jewel, who was fourth in the one-off five-star at Bicton Horse Trials last September.

World team gold medallist Gemma Tattersall is entered on Chris Stone’s Chilli Morning daughter Jalapeno, who was fourth at Blenheim Horse Trials CCI4*-L last year.

Kylie Roddy will get another shot at five-star with the Fox Family’s SRS Kan Do, who she pulled up at Badminton Horse Trials after he lost a shoe, while Kirsty Chabert – with Classic VI, owned by Carole Somers and Kirsty’s father John Johnston – and Ben Hobday (with his own, his father Stephen and Jane Chambers’ Shadow Man) will both hope to make amends for eliminations at Badminton.

David Doel, who impressed when he finished sixth on his Badminton debut with Galileo Nieuwmoed, will ride Christine Lees Ferro Point and the Pages’ Dunges Don Perignon this time. Bubby Upton is another younger rider hoping for a good result at five-star and she rides her mother Rachel’s Cannavaro, her partner in winning the under-25 national title last year.

Ireland has six entries, including two for Cathal Daniels – Jo Breheny’s LEB Lias Jewel and the Kinsella’s Rioghan Rua, the latter is the horse he rode to an individual bronze medal at this venue at the 2019 European Championships.

The Prices both bring forward five-star winners. Jonelle Price will pilot the grey mare Faerie Dianimo, owned by Trisha Rickards, Jacky Green and her rider, who won here in 2018. Tim Price has three rides, including Sue Benson’s and his own Falco IV, last year’s Pau Horse Trials winner.

There are 38 horses on the five-star list of Luhmühlen Horse Trials entries in total, with Canada, Denmark, France, Lithuania, South Africa, Switzerland, Sweden and the USA all sending representatives. The US has three entries – Matthew Flynn (the Flynns and Merry Go Round Farm’s Wizzerd), Liz Halliday-Sharp (The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Quicksilver) and Lauren Nicholson (Jacqueline Mars’ Vermiculus).

As usual, many of the top German riders will take on the CCI4*-S instead of the CCI5* and there are only two home-side combinations in the five-star – Sophie Leube makes her debut at the top level on Jadore Moi and Dirk Schrade pilots Freya Rethmeier’s Casino 80.

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There are several changes to the British Olympic eventing entries for the Tokyo Olympics following the completion of three selection competitions.

Pippa Funnell (Majas Hope) has been removed from the nominated entries and Ben Hobday (Shadow Man) has been removed from the reserve list.

William Fox-Pitt and Little Fire, recent winners of the CCI4*-S at Houghton Horse Trials, have been added to the nominated entries.

Nicola Wilson’s ride Bulana has been moved to a reserve slot and her Bicton Horse Trials CCI4*-L winner JL Dublin has been added to the nominated entries.

Britain’s final Olympic eventing nominated entries, listed alphabetically, are:

• Ros Canter with Caroline Moore’s and her own Allstar B
• Laura Collett with Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott’s and her own London 52
• William Fox-Pitt with Jennifer Dowling’s and his own Little Fire
• Kitty King with Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s Vendredi Biats
• Piggy March with John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn’s Brookfield Inocent
• Tom McEwen with Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns and Ali McEwen’s Toledo De Kerser
• Harry Meade with Mandy Gray’s and his own Superstition
• Oliver Townend with Karyn Schuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class
• Nicola Wilson with Deirdre Johnston and James and Jo Lambert’s JL Dublin

Reserve nominated entries:

• Sarah Bullimore with the Kew Jumping Syndicate, Brett Bullimore’s and her own Corouet
• Oliver Townend with Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class
• Nicola Wilson with Jo and James Lambert’s Bulana

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These 12 combinations have now been submitted to the FEI – only combinations who appear on the nominated entries list may be put forward to the British Olympic Association for final selection for the Games.

The British Olympic eventing team including one alternate and their grooms, plus the non-travelling reserves, will be announced on 28 June.

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British riders have put in more strong performances at Bicton this afternoon...

Sarah Bullimore and Corouet (pictured), with whom she listed a reserve on the Olympic longlist, put in a great dressage test at Bicton International Horse Trials supported by Chedington, this afternoon (10 June), scoring 30.2, to put them in second at the moment behind Laura Collett and Dacapo on 29.7.

“He was good — we had a couple of silly little mistakes, but actually he was much more rideable and his good bits were really mega good,” Sarah said of her own and husband Brett Bullimore’s 10-year-old. “It’s just a shame about the silly little mistake going into the right canter half-pass — I probably didn’t hold him enough on the outside rein and we just sort of swept into it — we’d come across so beautifully in the left half-pass and we changed over, and then he was like, ‘oh, canter’, but he was so quick to correct it, so that was just such a silly thing to throw marks away on. But as I say his good bits were so good in the grand scheme of things.”

Sarah said she was delighted to be named as a reserve on the Olympic nomination list.

“It’s lovely to be thought of and to be on the list is even more special because we bred him, so we’ve had him all of the way through. Just to be mentioned is fabulous. It definitely bodes well potentially for the Europeans too — that would be the realistic aim for him at the moment. It’s probably a year too early for him to go to an Olympics.”

Ben Hobday and Shadow Man II (pictured below) have also gone into third place at this point in the CCI4*-L competition, scoring 30.8.

“I’m really pleased — he was very obedient, but I’m a little bit disappointed in myself for the last flying-change as we’ve been working really hard on everything, especially with Chris Bartle,” said Ben after his test. “We’re constantly trying to try to improve that little bit every time so I always feel naturally a little bit disappointed, because it’s never perfect.”

Read the full report from Bicton in the 17 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine and keep checking back to horseandhound.co.uk for further updates and insight

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The nine pairs, plus three reserves, who will be submitted as the British Olympic eventing entries for this summer’s Tokyo Games have been named.

British Equestrian and the British Eventing selectors confirmed the following pairs will be given to the FEI as Britain’s nominated entries – only combinations who appear on the nominated entries list, which has a closing date of 21 June 2021, may be put forward to the British Olympic Association for selection to the Games.

• Ros Canter with Caroline Moore’s and her own Allstar B, groom Sarah Charnley
• Laura Collett with Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and her own London 52, groom Tilly Hughes
• Pippa Funnell with Marek Sebestak’s and her own Majas Hope, groom Emily Gibson
• Kitty King with Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s Vendredi Biats, groom Chloe Fry
• Piggy March with John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn’s Brookfield Inocent, groom Amy Phillips
• Tom McEwen with Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns and Ali McEwen’s Toledo De Kerser, groom Francesca Gorni
• Harry Meade with Mandy Gray’s and his own Superstition, groom Jess Errington
• Oliver Townend with Karyn Schuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class, groom TBC
• Nicola Wilson with James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana, groom Ruth Asquith

Reserve nominated entries:

• Sarah Bullimore with the Kew Jumping Syndicate, Brett Bullimore’s and her own Corouet
• Ben Hobday with Jane Chamber’s and his own Shadow Man
• Oliver Townend with Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class (subject to successfully completing a confirmation event)

The announcement from British Equestrian adds that “selection decisions are subject to the athlete and horse maintaining fitness and performance, and this list may be amended at any point up to 21 June 2021”.

The selected British Olympic eventing team of four pairs who will travel to Tokyo, plus reserves, will be announced on 28 June.

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Nominated entries for Britain’s jumping and dressage combinations will be announced on or around 28 May and 18 June respectively. Nominated entries for the Paralympic dressage squad will be published on or around 14 June.

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Different riders are offering different deals to those who would like to experience event horse ownership without the hefty price tag. H&H finds out about the different options on offer

INNOVATIVE riders and enthusiasts have come up with a range of syndication ideas to make event horse ownership more widely available.

World Equestrian Games team gold medallist Gemma Tattersall is offering membership of the “Kizzy Club”, in relation to her five-star ride Santiago Bay, while the new Event Horse Owners Syndicate (EHOS) has shares in a young horse ridden by Laura Collett for sale, as well as places on an “experience” scheme for Ben Hobday’s Shadow Man II.

Gemma told H&H she had to “think outside the box” to meet the running costs for “Kizzy”, who finished seventh at Burghley 2019, and whom Gemma hopes has a bright future.

For £150 per month, members will get updates on, and videos of, the 13-year-old mare, be invited to training and yard visits once Covid restrictions allow and get free or discounted tickets to events.

Gemma is also offering discounted lessons, feedback on members’ riding via video and photoshoots with Kizzy, while some of her sponsors have come on board to offer discounts on their products.

“I wanted it to be very exclusive, and a bit different to what others are doing,” Gemma said, adding that there will be no more than 15 members of the club. “Imagine being at Badminton when a horse you’re involved with is competing; you’d have to go a long way to get a feeling like that!

“I think Kizzy’s one of the best. I’d have to have a good spring, and a good placing at Badminton, but I think she’s got a strong chance of being involved in the Europeans or Tokyo, and this way people can be part of her journey.”

EHOS founders Megan Sanders and Jack Pryor are aiming for something similar.

Ms Saunders told H&H her partner Jack had seen the success of syndicates in racing, and the aim is to offer more people an affordable route to event horse ownership.

The company has bought Camouflage, a six-year-old found and ridden by Laura Collett, and hopes to sell 2,000 shares at £65 each per year, with the company retaining any unsold.

“Megan competes at grassroots and her mum has a share in an event horse,” Mr Pryor explained. “We knew we’d never be in a position to own one ourselves, and thought about how we could go about doing it.”

Mr Pryor said that as a young horse, Camouflage will be competing at a low level this year, at events that are usually free for spectators to enter, so stakeholders will be able to watch them in action. Should Covid restrictions limit numbers or prevent spectator attendance, footage will be taken at competitions and sent to shareholders. Also on offer is an annual yard visit, weekly updates, newsletters and priority access to training clinics.

The Shadow Man “experience” membership is more expensive, with 500 places at £250 each, but is more exclusive and offers similar benefits, for a horse Ben hopes to step up to CCI5* this year.

“This one isn’t ownership, but it’s a very special experience allowing people to get involved at that level without it costing an absolute fortune,” Mr Pryor said.

Laura told H&H she thought the syndicates were “a great idea”.

“Owning an event horse is expensive but this spreads the cost and the risk; I couldn’t see any negatives,” she said. “This is a way to be involved in the eventing community, which is very sociable; people can share the interest.”

She added that Camouflage moves nicely and has a very athletic jump, as well as a good brain, although he is very green.

“For me that’s the most exciting part of the journey, seeing them progress from the start all the way through,” she said.

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On Sunday (4 August), Ben Hobday was crowned the British champion at the 2019 Magic Millions British open championship at the Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe.

The class was won by New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and Classic Moet, but as the best-placed Brit in second place, Ben scooped the British Champion Trophy, with his own and Jane Chambers’ nine-year-old, Shadow Man II (pictured).

To celebrate Ben’s new title, here’s 15 things you might not know about him…

1. Ben is originally from Rossendale in Lancashire, but more recently set up camp near Morpeth in Northumberland.

2. He was born on 28 April 1988, meaning he is 31

3. He started riding when he was four and his early competition experiences included the show ring, with a first ridden win at Ponies UK.

4. He married fellow eventer Emma Carmichael on New Year’s Eve at the end of 2016.

5. He was a member of the Holcombe Hunt branch of the Pony Club and competed at the Pony Club Championships in dressage, showjumping and eventing.

6. Ben first went to work as a working pupil for eventer Hannah Bate in Cheshire and then went on to work for William Funnell after Pippa Funnell offered him a role at their Surrey base when he was 17.

7. In 2006 Ben won the under-21 national championships on Uptons Who and was selected for the British young rider squad, which culminated in team gold and individual bronze at the Young Rider European Eventing Championships in Kreuth.

8. Ben won the Burghley Young Event Horse four-year-old final in 2010 with Shadow Boxer.

9. Ben completed his first CCI5* in 2010 — this was at Pau, France on Gun A Be Good, where they finished 11th. In 2012 the pair contested their first Burghley, where they finished 33rd and won the best under-25 prize thanks to a double clear.

10. In June 2015, Ben was diagnosed with an aggressive type of Lymphoma called Burkitt non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. In mid-November later that year, he announced on social media that he was in remission.

11. Ben’s father, Steve, was a British national champion in motocross.

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12. Ben is a massive hit on social media, thanks in part to his early creation of his hashtag, #yehboi. He has almost 85,000 followers on Instagram and 55,000 fans on his Facebook page.

13. Ben is perhaps best known for his achievements with the half Clydesdale, Mulrys Error, who he first saw when the horse’s owner Sallie Ryle brought the gelding for lessons with Ben. He took over the ride in 2011 and between 2014 and 2018, the pair completed Burghley double clear, plus three Badminton completions, jumping a double clear in 2016, less than one year since Ben’s cancer diagnosis.

14. Ben runs his horse and pony selling business, Shadow Sports Horses, alongside his eventing career

15. Ben’s current top horse is Shadow Man, a Belgian-bred gelding, who Ben bought six years ago as an unbroken three-year-old. This nine-year-old by Fidjy Of Colours is something of a cross-country and showjumping machine, with super-smart paces too. This season alone he has finished second in the CCI4*-L at Ballindenisk, fifth at Bramham’s CCI4*-S and second in the CCIO4* Nations Cup competition at Strzegom, which were all good enough to earn the pair a place on the shortlist for the European Eventing Championships later this month.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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If the Magic Millions British open championship today (Sunday, 4 August) lacked in numbers — only 15 went forward to the cross-country — it lacked nothing in drama.

With two fallers — Francis Whittington and Sam Griffiths — and four other riders picking up jumping faults, it was New Zealand’s queen of speed Jonelle Price who claimed the honours on her former Badminton winner Classic Moet, owned by Trisha Rickards.

“Gatcombe is her cup of tea, and you only enter the open if you’re giving it a crack,” said Jonelle. “I did kick myself for the rail we had down showjumping — she jumped a beautiful round — but I obviously wanted a cut at it.”

Second to her after a super round and very smart dressage score was Ben Hobday on his own and Jane Chambers’ super elegant Shadow Man II.

“I told people he was world class, and now they’ll believe me,” said Ben, pleasantly surprised to find that besides being £8000 richer than yesterday, he is also the new British national champion. This lovely rangy chestnut ate up the ground: “That final loop really zaps them, but he kept running.”

Third after another spirited round was Nicholas Lucey on Proud Courage: “This is my best placing yet,” said Nick. “To come in the top three in the open championship is a big thing. It always seems to go best when I’m really going for the time.”

Owner-riders rule Corinthian Cup

The TopSpec Challenge for the Corinthian Cup — a true restricted class in which real amateur riders have a chance to shine in front of Gatcombe’s crowds — was dominated by owner riders. All three of them Pony Club members, appropriately enough given the Club’s 90th birthday celebrations held at Gatcombe this weekend.

Winner Saskia Davies came sixth in this class last year on her 14-year-old Singing Usk. She capitalised on careful course walking to plan the best lines by flying round nine seconds inside the time. Meanwhile the two riders lying in front of her both picked up refusals at the water.

“I try to do as little as possible competition wise to keep him fresh, and he’s always so consistent,” said Saskia, a keen member of the Ledbury Hunt branch of the Pony Club. She has three horses and works part-time for an events company.

Anna Stillwell rose five places to finish runner-up on her own six-year-old Rhode Island 19, despite a heart-in-mouth giant leap out of the final water — “That was just him being green and six.” Anna is a working pupil with Vicky Tuffs, and this is only her first season of novice eventing.

Third was 16-year-old Sophie Byford on her mother Karen’s Handsome, whom she’s produced from a four-year-old herself. They’ve had a light season of preparation for this class while Sophie studied for her GCSEs.

“He’s been by no means easy, but they’ve grown together,” said Karen.

Article continues below…

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Appropriately, given her racing pedigree and love of the thoroughbred, Tina Cook won the RoR/NTF championship, which curiously involves a final round of showjumping the day after cross-country. Having secured her victory over Jodie Amos and Highland Patriot, in customary fashion, Tina then regaled reporters with impressive knowledge of winner David Cricket’s pedigree.

“He’s got an incredibly famous, tough mother in [eminent steeplechaser] Lady Cricket and is by Shirocco, who’s very fashionable at the moment,” she explained.

After a brief racing career with Alan King he joined Tina and now belongs to a team of Tina’s most loyal long-term owners in Jane Lawson, Jim Chromiak, Bridget Biddlecombe and Sarah Pelham. Sarah also owned Tina’s most famous ex-racehorse, Miners Frolic, and still has him retired at home aged 22.

“I’ve never had a more laid back ex-racehorse and he absolutely loves his new job,” added Tina. “He’s only seven, and I hope he’s done enough to go to Le Lion.”

Full report from the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe in next week’s H&H (dated 8 August).

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William Fox-Pitt, Harry Meade and Nicola Wilson have all withdrawn from consideration for the European Championships, owing to injury and fitness issues.

William and Little Fire (pictured), Harry and Away Cruising and Nicola and Bulana have been replaced in the nominated entries for the event in Luhmühlen (28 August to 1 September) by Ben Hobday with Shadow Man, Imogen Murray with Ivar Gooden, and Izzy Taylor with PSH Gazelle.

“Sadly, Little Fire managed to bruise a hind cannon bone after Badminton,” said William. “There is no ligament or tendon damage to be found but he now needs to have an easy time, meaning he will miss any opportunity of Europeans selection.  He is a young horse with lots to look forward to, and I’m hoping the disappointment will be very short-lived.”

Harry said Away Cruising had missed some work, and the championships will “come too soon” for him.

“We’re considering his options for the rest of the season, but with the Olympics next year in mind, our priority is to have him in the best possible form in the spring,” he said. “It’s a great shame, but we’ll be cheering on the Brits at the Europeans next month.”

Nicola said having to withdraw was a “huge disappointment”, for Bulana and her owners, James and Jo Lambert.

“But due to multiple fractures in my neck sustained in a fall from a young horse in Arville, I’m sadly unable to compete for the rest of this season,” she said. “I’d like to thank my owners, the World Class staff, my home staff and my family, friends and the eventing community for all their support, and look forward to getting back out again next season after a busy winter preparing.”

Continues below…

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The updated nominated entries list is:

Alex Bragg with Mr and Mrs Ellicott’s Zagreb

Sarah Bullimore with Christopher and Susan Gillespie and Brett Bullimore’s Reve du Rouet

Laura Collett with her own, Karen Bartlett and Keith Scott’s London 52

Kristina Cook with Elisabeth Murdoch’s Billy The Red

Piggy French with Jayne Mcgivern’s Quarrycrest Echo and Trevor Dickens’ Vanir Kamira

Pippa Funnell with her own and Marek Sebestak’s Majas Hope

Ben Hobday with his own and Jane Chambers’ Shadow Man

Richard Jones with his own, Dinah Saunders and Sandra Martin’s Alfies Clover

Kitty King with Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s 10-year-old gelding Vendredi Biats

Tom McEwen with Barbara Cooper’s Figaro Van Het Broekxhof and Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns and Alison McEwen’s Toledo de Kerser

Imogen Murray with Aivar Ward and the M S Team’s Ivar Gooden

Gemma Tattersall with the Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul and Christopher Stone’s Jalapeno III

Izzy Taylor with Gary Power’s PSH Gazelle

Oliver Townend with Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class and Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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Eventer Ben Hobday is urging others to be aware of head and neck cancer after his own diagnosis and treatment.

The rider is backing North West Cancer Research’s #SpeakOut campaign this month to try to raise awareness of symptoms and encourage those who may be affected to visit the doctor.

Ben was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hogkin’s lymphoma in 2015. He had had a pain in his neck for some weeks but “thought nothing of it” until his barber noticed a lump in his neck, after which Ben made an appointment with his GP.

“Before my diagnosis, I was at the top of my game and felt invincible,” he said.

“I’d had a sore neck for quite a few weeks but thought nothing of it, because I’m always up and down on the horse, some aches and pains are part of the job. It wasn’t until some weeks later when my barber pointed out the lump on my neck, that I thought it could be something more serious.

“Going through treatment was the hardest thing I have ever done, but if the cancer hadn’t been caught when it had, it could have been much worse.”

After diagnosis, in June 2015, Ben was given steroids to shrink the lump, after which he underwent a five-month course of chemotherapy.

He was discharged from hospital in November 2015 and six months later, jumped double clear at Badminton on Mulrys Error, a feat that earned him the Charles Owen moment of the year title at the first H&H Awards in November 2016.

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“It’s so important to raise awareness for head and neck cancer,” Ben said. “I didn’t really know much about it before I was diagnosed and had no idea what the symptoms were.

“Head and neck cancers are one of the biggest cancer killers in the northwest and by sharing my story as part of the #SpeakOut campaign, hopefully I can help raise more awareness of the disease and its symptoms, as well as the support we can offer.

“I would urge anyone, man or woman, to visit their GP if they have any concerns, especially if they notice early cancer warning signs.”

Symptoms include a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing, a sore throat or cough for more than three weeks a red sore or ulcer in the mouth, blood in spit, hoarseness or changes in the voice and significant weight loss in a short period of time. For more information, visit the charity’s website.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Leslie Law, the 2004 Olympic eventing individual gold medallist, will ride on the British team again, more than a decade since his last squad appearance.

Leslie moved to the USA in the winter of 2005 and has not ridden on a British team since, his last cap being the 2005 Blenheim European Championships, when he was a team gold medallist with his Athens Olympic champion Shear L’Eau. Before the move he won three European team gold medals, two Olympic team silvers, an individual Olympic gold and a world team bronze, all on the full brothers Shear H2O and Shear L’Eau.

The rider has now been called up to compete on the Nations Cup team at The Plains in Virginia, USA (6-8 July), the fourth leg of the 2018 FEI Eventing Nations Cup. Leslie’s ride will be Tre’ Book’s nine-year-old Voltaire De Tre’.

“It’s exciting and it’ll be fun — I’m looking forward to it,” said Leslie. “It’s great for the horse’s owners too.”

He has been riding the chestnut Selle Français since the spring of 2016 and recently finished fourth in the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh with him. The pair were also second in the national advanced class at The Fork, held at Tryon as part of the World Equestrian Games test event in April.

“Dickie [Waygood, British eventing performance manager] sent me an email at the beginning of the year asking if there was the possibility I’d have anything for the Nations Cup and I said I’d got a horse who was going up through the grades and doing his first advanced in February, so we’d have to see how he goes,” said Leslie.

“He’s gone from strength to strength this year and is turning into an exciting horse. To handle, he’s full of himself and keeps the girls on their toes. To ride, he feels like he’s really starting to grow up and there’s a lot more to come from him. As a seven- and eight-year-old he was a big, leggy horse so I took time to allow him to mature.”

Leslie is based in Ocala, Florida, with his Canadian wife Lesley Grant-Law, who also events. The couple have a son, Liam.

Leslie’s team-mates will all travel from Britain to compete at the Plains. They are:

• Ben Hobday and his own and Jane Chambers’ eight-year-old gelding Shadow Man II, with Rachael Foster’s 11-year-old gelding Ciletto H in direct reserve
• Will Rawlin and Andrew and Miranda Rawlin’s 10-year-old gelding VIP Vinnie
• Georgie Spence with her own and Suzanne Doggett’s 12-year-old gelding Halltown Harley

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For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Every so often there’s a horse that catches the equestrian world’s imagination, based not on British Eventing points or four-star wins, but instead on an unusual star quality and the hope that we all might have a four-star horse in our humble-looking cobs… And Mulrys Error is one of those very horses.

The ‘supercob’ completed his final four-star in front of a cheering crowd at Badminton Horse Trials yesterday (6 May 2018) and will now enjoy an active retirement as a schoolmaster and hunter.

We take a look at what has made Ben Hobday’s ride such a sensation during his career…

1. He’s social media savvy

Mulrys Error has garnered a Twitter following of 4,560 and describes himself as a “Yorkshire lad. International Eventer. Biggest feet in the business. Partner in crime @BenHobday. @SallieRyle pays the bills.” Let’s hope he keeps us updated with his fun-filled retirement…

Tweets by Mr_Mulry

Badminton final scores

2. He came from humble beginnings

Life started in Roscommon, Ireland for the 16.1hh bay gelding. “He’s by an aristocratic father who had a night of passion with a bit of rough,” says Mulry’s owner Sallie Ryle. “His dam is an un-registered Clydesdale who was bought by farmer Michael Fallon as sheep shearing payment, and his sire Eves Error was a local thoroughbred champion miler with an extensive pedigree.”

Raised alongside his dam until he was two years old, Mulry was then papered by Michael’s friend Mark Mulry (hence the name) and taken to Ballinasloe Fair.

“He was sold for €1,600 as an unbroken three-year-old to Peter Houlston who bought him to the UK, backed him and turned him away,” explains Sallie.

“At the time, I was looking for a horse for myself and my daughter Vannessa to share. My friend Richard Howard, a dealer in Yorkshire, got in touch to say he had the perfect horse, so we went to have a look and Mulry was as good as Richard’s word so I bought him.”

3. His hooves have to be seen to be believed

Mulry is well known for his rather large hooves, but it wasn’t until Sallie went to collect him that she saw them in all their glory.

“When we tried him, the grass was long and Mulry had over-reach boots on so I didn’t see his feet. When I finally saw them, I nearly freaked out — they were like dinner plates! I’m glad in a way because I don’t think I’d have bought him.”

4. He’s well built despite his breeding

“I’ve always loved this horse,” says Olympic eventer Ian Stark who gave the horse his nickname – Super Cob. “Back in the day, all the showjumpers used to love the thoroughbred-draught cross because they have so much to offer and like to please. Despite his old-fashioned breeding, Mulry is incredibly well put together and rangy with a lot of scope and good balance.”

5. He has exceeded all expectations

Once back at his new home, Mulry exceeded his owners’ expectations, taking them both hunting safely and eventing with Sallie up to novice level. “I did Chatsworth on him the year I turned 60 and then decided to pack it in,” she says. “I’d been having lessons with Ben Hobday and offered him the ride, and that’s how it all started.”

6. He’s been part of the ultimate story of triumph over adversity

Mulry’s eventual rider Ben was diagnosed with cancer in June 2015, completed his chemotherapy treatment in September the same year, and was back in the saddle shortly afterwards. In May 2016 the pair rode a double clear at Badminton to finish 32nd — a story that inspired riders and non-riders alike across the globe.

Previously the pair had finished 54th at Badminton in 2015, 29th at Burghley in 2014, and 11th in the Bramham U25 championship in 2013. “It was just a bit of fun in the beginning — we never thought he’d get to this level,” says Ben.

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7. He’s proved that anything is possible with a dose of ‘Usain Bolt’s self-confidence’

“Although he looks fit and swathe now, if you saw him in the field in the winter, you’d see a big, fat, hairy Clydesdale,” says Ben. “But he is agile and athletic with Usain Bolt’s self-confidence and that’s what has got him to top level.”

Don’t miss this Thursday’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (10 May 2018) for the full report and analysis from Badminton Horse Trials 2018

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine out every Thursday

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Mulry’s Error has completed his final four-star in front of a cheering crowd at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Rider Ben Hobday paid tribute to Sallie Ryle’s part-bred Clydesdale, who will enjoy a fun-filled retirement as a schoolmaster and hunting.

Ben told H&H after the cross-country on Saturday that this would be the last CCI4* for the popular “V8 Supercob”.

The pair completed the showjumping phase earlier today (Sunday 6 May) to take their tally of four-star finishes to four — three Badmintons and one Burghley.

They have also completed numerous three-stars together, including Bramham, Blenheim, Tattersalls and Chatsworth.

Badminton final scores

“It was potentially going to be his last four-star in 2017,” Ben told H&H.

“However, he felt so good out hunting that we thought we would give it one more go and I’m really glad we did because we’ve had a great time.”

Ben added the completion “means a lot to all of us”.

“You have to remember that he is a cob — he’s a Clydesdale cross and when I started riding him for Sally it was a bit of fun,” said Ben.

“I used to help her out and help train her, we never dreamt of this. He isn’t winning, but he has won to us because he kept going and he came home when other good horses haven’t.

“We have to be really grateful for him for keeping trying — he loves the job, he really does, and he will take it easy now.

“He will do some smaller shows with some of our stable jockeys and misbehave for them now.”

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Mulry “loves hunting” and will enjoy following hounds again next season with the Tynedale.

“He is quite the celeb on the hunting field — he makes me very brave out hunting anyway!” laughed Ben.

“He loves jumping hedges and gates all day long, so he will have a very nice retiement from the big time.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Our bumper 24-page Badminton report will be in our 10 May issue, including opinion from Oliver Townend, Mark Phillips and Peter Storr.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The popular supercob Mulrys Error completed his final four-star cross-country today (Saturday 5 May) at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

The 16-year-old finished the course with 20 penalties for a circle at the Joules Corners and 71.2 time-penalties.

“I don’t think he’ll do another big event,” said his rider Ben Hobday after his round. “He’ll take it easy educating our stable jockeys, do some eventing grands prix and go out in the field with the mares.”

Ben explained what happened at the Joules Corners today: “It was a shame I had to turn a circle. He was quite tired and he flicked his back end up really big at the first corner. I was up his neck and we had no chance.

“After that we lost momentum and he was good to keep going. But we’ve hunted him the whole winter with the Morpeth and he keeps going for hours. We just stayed in an even rhythm.”

Badminton final scores

Ben added that he has also hunted with the Tynedale, jumping five-bar gates behind fellow four-star rider and field master Jamie Atkinson. He has even had a day’s hunting with his owner, Sallie Ryle.

Ben added that Mulrys Error has had a pulled hamstring in the build-up to Badminton so he wanted to look after him across country today. Although he started out steadier than two years previously, the horse still hit a wall around the eight-minute marker and he had to nurse him home steadily. But fans will be delighted that “Mr Mulry” managed a third Badminton cross-country completion.

The combination won the Charles Owen Moment of the Year at the H&H Awards in 2016 for their Badminton double clear after Ben’s recovery from cancer. They also completed in 2015 with a jumping clear across country.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Riders showed off their fashion sense at the first trot-up at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials yesterday (2 May).

Ben Hobday sports a long Holland Cooper coat and his trademark shades as he trots up Mulrys Error.

Gemma Tattersall trots up Arctic Soul in a side-button short jacket and The Amira boots in navy (with tassels) from Fairfax & Favor.

Badminton final scores

H&H columnist Harry Meade makes a statement with his trousers.

Paul Tapner goes all out with a patterned blue jacket, a red waistcoat and an appropriately-themed shirt.

Alexander Whewall starts his Badminton debut with Chakiris Star in a shirt from The Oxford Shirt Company and a little waistcoat.

A long turquoise coat with double buttons, a scarf, white jeans and boots for Becky Woolven — and they set off Charlton Down Riverdance’s long white socks to perfection.

Tight leather trousers and checks for Dee Kennedy as she presents Chequers Playboy.

Georgie Strang wears a Hicks and Brown fedora and an animal print skirt, plus The Kensington boots by Fairfax & Favor, to trot up Cooley Earl.

Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti takes the HiHo Silver prize for the best-dresssed male rider as he trots up Cult Rewind in uniform.

William Fox-Pitt dons red trousers to present Fernhill Pimms.

Selena O’Hanlon (Foxwood High) keeps Canada’s end up in a blue and white striped dress.

The Windsor Jacket in navy and red from Holland Cooper — plus matching red detail on her boots — wins the HiHo Silver best-dressed female prize for Louise Harwood, with her ride Mr Potts.

Alex Bragg, in a smart jacket and waistcoat, and Redpath Ransom.

Virginia Thompson, in a skirt with a net upper layer and gold trimmings, with Star Nouveau.

Pictures by Peter Nixon

Read our full Badminton preview in the current issue of Horse & Hound (issue dated 26 April 2018), plus a full form guide for every horse and rider

Our bumper 24-page Badminton report will be in our 10 May issue, including opinion from Oliver Townend, Mark Phillips and Peter Storr.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Caroline Powell and Up Up And Away will be first out of the start box, it was revealed during the live draw for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials running order.

The draw was streamed on the Badminton and Horse & Hound Facebook pages at 2pm today, with Rupert Bell as the compère and guests Mary King and technical delegate Marcin Konarski carrying out the draw.

New Zealand rider Caroline will also wear number 87 with her second horse, On The Brash.

Georgie Spence will be the first British rider into the arena and on to the cross-country, carrying the number two on Halltown Harley. She will also start at number 89 with Wii Limbo.

Last year’s winners Andrew Nicholson and Nereo will be number four as they defend their title.

Badminton final scores

German favourite Michael Jung and the legendary La Biosthetique-Sam FBW will start at number 30 so their dressage will be on the first day, Thursday, probably in the afternoon session.

Fans of Ben Hobday and the supercob Mr Mulry will need to make an early start as he has been drawn at number 19.

H&H bloggers Kirsty Short (Cossan Lad) and Simon Grieve (Drumbilla Metro) are numbers 55 and 39.

William Fox-Pitt, who is back at Badminton for the first time since his win in 2015, will wear number 51 with Fernhill Pimms, while three-time winner Pippa Funnell heads out 10 horses earlier as number 41 on Billy Beware.

Horses have been numbered one to 93, but the maximum starting field is 85. Two horses (Fernhill Pimms and Absolut Opposition) are still on the wait-list, plus Tina Cook and Oliver Townend still have to decide which of their entered horses they will compete, as Tina has three horses entered and Oliver four, but they can only start on two mounts.

Full Badminton Horse Trials running order

• Caroline Powell on Up Up And Away
• Georgie Spence on Halltown Harley
• Tom McEwen on Toledo De Kerser
• Andrew Nicholson on Nereo
• Alex Bragg on Zagreb
• Mark Todd on Leonidas II
• Gemma Tattersall on Pamero 4
• Harry Dzenis on Xam
• Oliver Townend on Cooley Master Class OR
• Oliver Townend on Cooley SRS OR
• Oliver Townend on Ballaghmor Class
• Tina Cook on Star Witness OR
• Tina Cook on Billy The Red
• Ciaran Glynn on Killossery Jupiter Rising
• Richard Jones on Alfies Clover
• Alicia Hawker on Charles RR
• Dan Jocelyn on Dassett Cool Touch
• Alexander Whewall on Chakiris Star
• Ben Hobday on Mulrys Error
• Clare Abbott on Euro Prince
• Dag Albert on Mitras Eminem
• Padraig McCarthy on Mr Chunky
• Louise Harwood on Mr Potts
• Kate Honey on Fernhill Now Or Never
• Alan Nolan on Bronze Flight
• Tom Jackson on Waltham Fiddlers Find
• Aoife Clark on Master Rory
• Selena O’Hanlon on Foxwood High
• Andy Daines on Spring Panorama
• Michael Jung on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW
• Patricia Ryan on Dunrath Eclipse
• Giovanni Ugolotti on Cult Rewind
• Michael Ryan on Dunlough Striker
• Tim Price on Ringwood Sky Boy
• Denis Mesples on Oregon De La Vigne
• Lydia Hannon on My Royal Touch
• Imogen Gloag on Brendonhill Doublet
• Dannielle Dunn on Zocarla BLH
• Simon Grieve on Drumbilla Metro
• Lauren Kieffer on Veronica
• Pippa Funnell on Billy Beware
• Virginia Thompson on Star Nouveau
• Flora Harris on Bayano
• Sarah Bullimore on Reve Du Rouet
• Ros Canter on Allstar B
• Yoshiaki Oiwa on The Duke Of Cavan
• Bill Levett on Alexander NJ
• Izzy Taylor on Perfect Stranger
• Georgie Strang on Cooley Earl
• James Sommerville on Talent
• William Fox-Pitt on Fernhill Pimms
• Imogen Murray on Ivar Gooden
• Will Furlong on Collien P2
• Aurelien Leroy on Seashore Spring
• Kirsty Short on Cossan Lad
• Paul Tapner on Bonza King Of Rouges
• Regis Prud’hon on Kaiser HDB 4175
• Cedric Lyard on Qatar Du Puech Rouget
• Lissa Green on Hollyfield
• Ashley Edmond on Triple Chance
• Dee Hankey on Chequers Playboy
• Carlos Diaz Fernandez on Junco CP
• Tom Crisp on Coolys Luxuey
• Becky Woolven on Charlton Down Riverdance
• Jonty Evans on Cooley Rorkes Drift
• Warren Lamperd on Silvia
• Joseph Murphy on Sportsfield Othello
• Jonelle Price on Classic Moet
• Piggy French on Vanir Kamira
• Nana Dalton on Absolut Opposition
• Madeline Backus on PS Arianna
• Hanne Wind Ramsgaard on Verstervangs Arami
• Emilie Chandler on Coopers Law
• Harry Meade on Away Cruising
• Dani Evans on Smart Time
• Will Coleman on OBOS O’Reilly
• Michael Owen on Bradeley Law
• James O’Haire on China Doll
• Sam Griffiths on Paulank Brockagh
• Gemma Tattersall on Arctic Soul
• Andrew Nicholson on Jet Set
• Alex Bragg on Redpath Ransom
• Mark Todd on Kiltubrid Rhapsody
• Harry Dzenis on Dromgurrihy Blue
• Tina Cook on Calvino II OR
• Tina Cook on Billy The Red
• Caroline Powell on On The Brash
• Ciaran Glynn on November Night
• Georgie Spence on Wii Limbo
• Oliver Townend on MHS King Joules OR
• Oliver Townend on Cooley SRS OR
• Oliver Townend on Ballaghmor Class
• Tom McEwen on Strike Smartly

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Don’t miss next week’s Horse & Hound for our full Badminton preview, including cross-country course walk with Mary King and full form guide.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The hugely popular eventing combination of Ben Hobday and Mulrys Error, owned by Sallie Ryle, are to compete at the 2018 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

The pair were eighth on the wait-list, but following withdrawals by those already accepted into the event (2-6 May), Ben and ‘Mr Mulry’, will now be able to compete.

“We’re absolutely buzzing to go — he’s feeling really good,” Ben told H&H.

Mr Mulry was last seen competing at Bramham in 2017 and was then selected to represent Great Britain in the Nations Cup team at The Plains in the USA, but a minor injury prior to the event ruled them out.

“Sallie and I agreed after that, that we would do as much as Mulry wanted to,” explained Ben. “I hunted him with the Morpeth, Tynedale and Duke of Buccleuch hunts over the winter for a bit of fun, and we even popped a couple of metal five-bar gates.

Badminton final scores

“He then felt so good that I said ‘sack it, let’s enter Badminton and see where we get to’ — if we didn’t get in, then it wasn’t meant to be. Then as time went by I thought ‘Jesus, this might actually happen!’

“I said to Sallie that we’ll just go to enjoy ourselves — he’s our baby and we want to look after him. We’re realistic in our goal — he’s designed to pull a cart, but he loves the atmosphere and people watching him at Badminton. It’s full steam ahead.”

The 16-year-old gelding famously did not make it to Badminton from the wait-list last year, but he and Ben already have two Badminton completions under their belts, most recently in 2016 when they jumped double clear. This was a particularly emotional occasion, as Ben had fought back from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with which he was diagnosed with in June 2015. H&H readers voted Ben’s double clear moment of the year at the first Horse & Hound Awards in November 2016.

Ben’s announcement to his 66,1000 Instagram followers that he and the Clydesdale x thoroughbred had got into Badminton has generated more than 10,000 likes. It is worth noting that the picture below was taken by Sallie in December 2016.

Now just four of the 14 combinations originally on the wait-list remain, William Fox-Pitt and Fernhill Pimms among them.

Badminton accepts horses with the most FEI points won in the past two years and then wait-lists the rest in points order. Wait-listed horses replace those withdrawn until 2pm on the Sunday before the event. Badminton has never accepted fewer than 14 horses from the wait-list, so it is highly likely William will be able to compete.

Don’t miss our bumper Badminton preview issue of Horse & Hound magazine including Mary King’s thoughts on every fence on the cross-country course (on sale 26 April 2018), our pull-out form guide featuring all the riders (on sale 10 May 2018) and our special in-depth report on all the action, complete with expert analysis (on sale 11 May 2017).

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A frequent recipient of the ‘best dressed’ award for his trot up outfits, Ben Hobday is certainly one of the most stylish riders on the eventing circuit. Emily Bevan finds out which brands, labels and fashions the 28-year-old is currently wearing both at home and in competition

NB: The shopping links below are provided to help you buy these items. We earn a small commission from these links.

Get the look: Ben Hobday in competition

Jodhpurs

Cavallo Donan Grip Mens Breeches (white)

Ben says: “These are the jodhpurs that I prefer to compete in as they are comfortable and practical, but look good.”

Price: £145

BUY NOW: Cavallo Donan Grip Mens Breeches

Jacket

Cavallo Roma tail coat

Ben says: “I like this jacket as it looks stylish and smart, and also fits well.”

Price: £459

BUY NOW: Cavallo Roma tail coat

Aftershave

Hugo Boss

Ben says: “A real man can’t leave home without aftershave if they want to keep it fresh and I get through about a bottle of the stuff each week. My favourite at the moment is Hugo Boss.”

Price: £42.46

BUY NOW: Hugo Boss

Hat and gloves

Uvex

Ben says: “I have grey, black and blue Uvex hats and they are great as they have little vents to keep your head cooler. I also like their range of gloves which come in lots of different colours which I can match with my outfit. They also make helmets, goggles and gloves for skiing so I kit myself out in them when I head for the slopes.”

Prices: Uvex succeed active helmet: £269.95; Uvex I-performance gloves: £26.99

BUY NOW: Uvex hat and gloves

Boots

Parlanti Roma boots

Ben says: “I had these boots made to measure and they are brilliant. They fit well and are tight around the ankles which make you look better in competition — everyone wants to have nice legs. A lot of boots wear out on the calves but these are really good quality, are long lasting and look great.”

Price: £995

Shirt

Topman

Ben says: “I like short sleeve shirts with a button-down collar but not many equestrian companies make them so I end up buying them from Topman and then add my sponsor logos myself. I like white ones and also blue ones with a white collar.”

Get the look: Ben Hobday on the yard

Sunglasses

UVEX sunglasses

Ben says: “I know it’s not that sunny in England but I still have around 15 pairs of sunglasses. Uvex do some really good ones, some even change colour if you get flies or dust in your eyes and your eyes start to water, they are all made well and look cool.”

Price: from £16.95

BUY NOW: UVEX sunglasses

Jodhpurs

Brand: Breeze Up Exercise Breeches

Ben says: “Some jodhpurs make men look a bit less manly but I like these ones as they are loser around the crotch and therefore more comfortable. You can also get waterproof ones which are very practical.”

Price: £82.50

Boots and chaps

Brand: Free Jump

Ben says: “I have quite a few pairs of these boots and chaps in different colours as they are comfy and cool as anything. The boots look like trainers and are really trendy. If I have to nip into town I can whip off the chaps and go to the shop in the boots and I don’t look like a pony rider.”

Price: €170 (£151) for the boots and €210 (£187) for the chaps

Polo, skins, coat, hat

Shadow Sports Horses

Ben says: “Around the yard I often test out our latest Shadow Sports Horses Team Hobday kit which is comfortable, warm and looks smart.”

Prices:

Polo: £35

Limited edition skin: £50

Signature limited edition jacket: £95

Winter hat: £20

Ben Hobday is sponsored by Uvex, amongst others.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The four-star eventer tells Emily Bevan about the kit that makes life run smoothly for him — from the clippers that make the horses ‘look pretty’ to the showjumps that make the arena look like an international show

NB: The shopping links below are provided to help you buy these items. We earn a small commission from these links.

1. Liveryman Arena C130 mains clipper

Ben says: “My wife Emma really likes these handheld clippers as they are handy, easy to use and they are not noisy so the horses don’t get scared. A lot of clippers break or wear out quickly but these ones are really good quality and make the horses look pretty.”

BUY NOW: Liveryman Arena C130 mains clipper from Amazon from £299.99

2. Fairfax & Favor The Cadogan Travel Bag

Ben says: “When I go away to an event I use this bag for my trot up gear and other personal clothes as it’s a good size and looks really smart. Emma and I both have one as they were a wedding present and they are both personalised which is a really nice touch.”

BUY NOW: Farfax & Favor The Cadogan Travel Bag from Amazon from £585.00

3. Honda lawn mower

Ben says: “When I was a kid my dad used to spend hours mowing the lawn and I used to wonder what on earth he was doing but now I have discovered lawn mowing and it is life changing! It is so therapeutic and I take a lot of pride in mowing the grass around the yard. Although I only have an old school Honda push lawn mower I am hoping to upgrade to a sit on John Deere one soon.”

BUY NOW: Honda rotary petrol push lawnmower via Amazon from £349.99

4. Equilibrium Therapy massage pad

Ben says: “I have a couple of massage pads — one for the yard and one we take to competitions — and they are so useful. They really help to loosen the horse up or to cool down when they’ve worked hard. At shows they can be good to help a horse switch off and relax in a busy environment and they are really quiet so it doesn’t scare them.”

BUY NOW: Equilibrium therapy message pad via Amazon from £279.00

Continued below…

Read more about Ben Hobday:

‘It was really difficult’: watch Ben Hobday ride side-saddle at Blenheim

The popular four-star event rider took part in

Pre-cross-country dance sessions — and other things you didn’t know about Ben Hobday

Fresh off the back of his double clear

5. Bloomfields horsebox

Ben says: “I recently got a 3.5 tonne lorry from the Scotland branch of Bloomfields horseboxes and it’s awesome. Mine is silver and blue with a union flag on the side and I love it. You only need a normal licence to drive it, it takes two big horses and is built around the horse’s safety. Although it’s smaller than my big lorry there’s plenty of room, it’s sturdy and it’s much more economical. For general running around it saves a fortune and it’s quicker too.”

Price: Build price from £14,995 + chassis & VAT

6. Training set of Equibox showjumps

Ben says: “I get a lot of use out of my showjumps and they are great for training. There are so many different colours, shapes and sizes with various fillers and water trays that it makes the arena look like an international show. Often when you go and try a horse they only have one showjump for you to use which annoys me, so I like it that when people come to my yard to try a horse they have a whole course of great jumps to choose from.”

Price: from £2,000

7. Spalding International dressage saddle

Ben says: “My Spalding dressage saddle is so comfy, it’s like putting your favourite pair of pants on. It fits most horses and puts you in the right balance which helps you to do your job better. For Badminton in 2016 Spalding gave me a bright blue jumping saddle which was a one off — it was pretty cool.”

Price: £1,650

8. Equestrian Services 1.5m Equestrian Trackmaster

Ben says: “There’s so much rubbish on the market but this Trackmaster Grader is brilliant and is reasonably priced. It’s really easy to use as it just hooks onto the back of the quad bike. It has spikes which break up the surface and two roller bars to roll it at the same time. It leaves the ground looking smart and level and resembling an Olympic arena in no time!”

Price: £1,800 + VAT

Amongst others, Ben Hobday is sponsored by Spalding International Saddlery and Equilibrium Products

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Oliver Townend is in the lead in the Event Rider Masters’ class at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe, and is on course to repeat his 2016 victory.

Riding Andrew Cawthray’s Note Worthy, Oliver scored 38.7 to take pole position in the CIC3*.

Bill Levett is second on 39.2 with Shannondale Titan, and Brazilian rider Marcio Jorge is third on Lissy Mac Wayer with a mark of 40.

“He did a clear round in his test, but I still think there’s more to come from him,” said Oliver, who won the Smith & Williamson British Intermediate Championships on the horse in 2015.

Intermediate championships

Oliver scored a fourth victory in the intermediate championships today with Angela Hislop’s Khoi Traveller, an American ex-racehorse.

The pair were only 29th after dressage with a score of 33.3, but the jumping phases were particularly influential today and, despite a pole down in the showjumping, they rose 11 places to start the cross-country in 18th place.

The time round Mark Phillips’ cross-country track is always tight, and Oliver was the fastest of the class with just 4.4 time-faults to secure the victory.

“Speed’s a big thing at Gatcombe and he’s got plenty of that,” Oliver observed. “It didn’t feel as though we were going ridiculously quick and he stayed very well – I was impressed with him in all three phases today.”

Matt Heath was second on Hazel Livesey’s Sportsfield Lord Livesey, having led going into cross-country.

“I’m over the moon with him – he just got tired on very soft ground,” said Matt.

Tom McEwen took third on the mare Royal Roxey.

Continued below…

Jonty Evans’ crowd-funding campaign boosted by £150k with two weeks to go

The Irish rider, who is attempting to raise £500,000 to secure the ride on his Olympic horse, still needs more

‘Never underestimate horses’ healing power’: rider returns to eventing after cancer diagnosis

The rider, who was diagnosed the day before her wedding, said competing is the ‘best tonic ever’

Novice championships

Ben Hobday won his first Gatcombe title – the Dodson & Horrell British Novice Championships – with his own Shadow Man II, having led from start to finish.

“He’s perfect – everything you could want,” said a delighted Ben. “He’s athletic, intelligent and kind; I do very little on him because everything’s easy.”

William Fox-Pitt took second place with Catherine Witt’s The Graduate, while Hayden Hankey made a welcome return to the eventing ranks with third place on You’ve Got The Lux. Hayden was the fastest of the class across the country with just 3.6 time-faults.

“I didn’t have a single sticky jump – all I have to do on her is see a forward stride,” said Hayden.

Full report from the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 10 August

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It was a sizzling feast of sport at St James’s Place Barbury Horse Trials last weekend — and we learnt some new things, too. Don't miss the full Barbury report in H&H this Thursday (issue dated 13 July).

Tom Carlile and Upsilon win the Event Rider Masters at Barbury 2018. Picture by Peter Nixon

The EquiRating Stacks app returns for the Event Rider Masters leg at Barbury (7-8 July). Tom Carlile and Upsilon on their way to victory at last year’s event

Billy Cuckoo takes a look at a fence in the CIC2* with Pippa Funnell.

Teenager Hannah Francis passed away on 1 August last year, but her legacy is everywhere. Numerous riders now ride with Berry Ponies on their backs, the relations of Hannah's mascot, Willberry Wonder Pony — there is now a registered charity in Hannah and Willberry's names, funding bone cancer research and granting equine wishes to seriously ill people. Here is Pippa Funnell on Sandman 7 with a Berry Pony.

Imogen Murray and Ivar Gooden at Barbury 2017. Picture by Peter Nixon

Nice work by Craig surviving this twist by Especially Dassett in the CIC2*.

The EquiRatings Stacks app game returns for the Event Rider Master

Having had baby Evie at the end of May, New Zealand rider Lucy Jackson was out eventing again by the end of June. Here she is partnering her faithful campaigner Willy Do in the CIC2*.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A “minor injury” to Sallie Rylie’s Mulrys Error has ruled the popular horse and his equally popular rider Ben Hobday out of travelling to the USA, where they were due to make their British Nations Cup debut at The Plains on 8-9 July.

Ben’s team-mate James Sommerville will not make the trip either as his own and his mother Jennifer’s horse Talent has also incurred a minor injury.

“It is anticipated that both horses will soon be out competing again in the not too distant future. We thank both riders and their owners for making the horses available,” said a statement from British Eventing.

USA-based Brit Justine Dutton has been boosted up from the reserve spot and will now join the team on Jak My Style. Emily Llewellyn has been called up and will make the trip to the USA with Emirati Nightsky. She said on Facebook that her whole team is “super excited”.

The other two team members, Matthew Heath and his own and Hazel Livesey’s One Of A Kind II and Nicky Roncoroni with her mother Janey and Lorna McWilliam’s Watts Burn, are unchanged.

Continued below…

More eventing news:

Ben Hobday and Mulrys Error make British team debut with a trip to the USA

The popular rider will fly to Virginia to represent Team GB with his equally loved equine partner, Mulrys Error

Germany names likely squad for eventing European Championships in Poland

Find out which riders will defend Germany's double gold medals in Strzegom in August

Mark Phillips: Luhmühlen was not a four-star competition *H&H VIP*

Mark Phillips on the dangers of tracks missing their designated rating

This is the second year the USA has hosted a leg of the Nations Cup at The Plains. Britain finished third of the three teams competing last year, represented by Jodie Amos (Wise Crack, third), Ben Way (Willows Tipster, 26th), Justine Dutton (Huck Finn, 36th) and Ros Canter (Zenshera, eliminated for a fall across country). The USA won, with Canada second.

Britain currently holds first place in the 2017 Nations Cup overall standings, after finishing second at all three competitions so far (Strzegom, Houghton and Tattersalls). The next fixture on the calendar is Wiener Neustadt in Austria (30 June-2 July), followed by The Plains, Aachen in Germany (19-23 July), Haras du Pin (10-13 August), Waregem in Belgium (22-24 September) and Boekelo in the Netherlands (5-8 October).

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Ben Hobday has received his first British Nations Cup call-up and will ride on the team at the US leg of the eventing FEI Nations Cup at The Plains, Virginia (8-9 July).

Ben will partner Sallie Ryle’s popular 15-year-old gelding Mulrys Error, with whom he recently finished 27th in the CCI3* at Bramham. The pair also jumped a double clear at Badminton last year and finished 29th at Burghley in 2014.

Two other riders also make their British team debuts at The Plains — Matthew Heath, who will ride his own and Hazel Livesey’s One Of A Kind II, and James Sommerville with Talent, owned by James and his mother Jennifer.

Nicky Roncoroni and Watts Burn, who helped the Brits to second in the Nations Cup at Tattersalls, Ireland, last month, complete the squad. Watts Burn belongs to Lorna McWilliam and the rider’s mother Janey.

American-based Brit Justine Dutton is the reserve with Jak My Style.

This is the second year the USA has hosted a leg of the Nations Cup at The Plains. Britain finished third of the three teams competing last year, represented by Jodie Amos (Wise Crack, third), Ben Way (Willows Tipster, 26th), Justine Dutton (Huck Finn, 36th) and Ros Canter (Zenshera, eliminated for a fall across country). The USA won, with Canada second.

Continued below…

Related articles:

24 accepted from Badminton wait-list; Ben Hobday not among them

H&H Awards: the winners are revealed

Britain currently holds first place in the 2017 Nations Cup overall standings, after finishing second at all three competitions so far (Strzegom, Houghton and Tattersalls). The next fixture on the calendar is Wiener Neustadt in Austria (30 June-2 July), followed by The Plains, Aachen in Germany (19-23 July), Haras du Pin (10-13 August), Waregem in Belgium (22-24 September) and Boekelo in the Netherlands (5-8 October).

The British Nations Cup teams are supported by the National Lottery-funded equestrian World Class Programme, a portfolio within the British Equestrian Federation.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Horses down to 24th on the wait-list have been accepted into this week’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

The final cut-off for wait-listed pairs to replace withdrawals was 2pm yesterday (Sunday, 30 April).

The last rider to be offered the chance to run was Italy’s Pietro Sandei, with his long-term partner Mouse, a former ride of both Oliver Townend and Mark Todd. Pietro replaced Ireland’s Aoife Clark, who withdrew Richard Last’s Fernhill Adventure over the weekend.

There were originally 36 pairs on the wait-list, but three below the cut-off withdrew, so nine riders were disappointed as they were unable to get into the event from the wait-list.

They include Ben Hobday, who was one of the great stories of last year’s event when he returned from beating cancer to jump a double clear on Mulrys Error. He made it in from the wait-list in 2015 and 2016, but was 29th on the list this year so missed the cut.

Badminton final scores

“I would be very disappointed not to get in, but this isn’t an Olympic year and there may be fewer withdrawals. But there are bigger problems than not getting to Badminton,” Ben told H&H a couple of weeks ago, explaining that his illness has given him perspective.

H&H blogger Kirsty was another to miss out, writing in her diary on Friday: “I’m sitting here right now thinking we are just too far away on the list to get into the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this year.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us on the lead-up to Badminton, especially Horse & Hound for following our journey.

“But if we do get that last hour phone call, Bouncer [Cossan Lad] and I are ready to go; trot-up outfits will be ready courtesy of Teddy Edward – the only thing we might be rushing to get is the human food.”

More Badminton news…

Related articles:

British Rio horse withdrawn from Badminton

Badminton first-timers: Shane Rose — the failed Flat racehorse making waves in the eventing world

Badminton first-timers: Dominic Furnell — ‘If someone offered me a fortune for her I wouldn’t take it’

The other pairs who didn’t make it in are Emma Hyslop-Webb (Pennlands Douglas), Dag Albert (Mitras Eminem), Alexander Bragg (Redpath Ransom; Alexander will compete on Zagreb); Arthur Duffort (Herbst Golden Eclipse), Louisa Milne Home (King Eider), Andrew Heffernan (Millthyme Corolla) and Mark Kyle (Jesmond Justice).

Two riders still have three horses on the Badminton entries list, but they can only bring two horses to the event. The riders are Tina Cook (Star Witness, Billy The Red and Calvino II) and Oliver Townend (MHS King Joules, Samuel Thomas II and ODT Ghareeb).

Don’t miss this week’s H&H for your 16-page pull-out guide to Badminton, including form guide for every horse and rider competing.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Eventing stars gathered for a special Badminton Horse Trials preview event held in memory of Hannah Francis.

The Vale of the White Horse (VWH) Hunt hosted Willberry does Badminton on 11 April at Wick Bottom Barn, Rockley, in aid of the Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony charity.

In total, £18,000 was raised through the sale of tickets to the event, which included inspirational talks, a hog roast and music, as well as an auction.

Among the riders speaking at the event were Mark Todd, Spencer Sturmey, Tim and Jonelle Price, Jonty Evans, Kitty King, Tom McEwen and Ben Hobday, who is a patron of Willberry Wonder Pony.

Leading the discussion was Badminton’s new course designer, Eric Winter, who spoke about this year’s track.

Young riders and Badminton first-timers Lissa Green and Danni Dunn also joined the guest speakers.

“It’s not every day you get to sit in between Mark Todd and Kitty King,” said H&H blogger Danni.

“I was quite nervous because I would be much happier riding in front of thousands rather than speaking to a room full of 300 people! But it actually turned out fun and went well — I enjoyed it immensely.

“To top it all, the evening raised a huge amount of money so it was just brilliant all round.”

The auction offered money-can’t-buy prizes.

A helicopter ride to Badminton was won for £500, a day in the life of Mary and Emily King for £240 and a morning on the gallops with Oliver Sherwood for £220.

A Chilli Morning stud fee secured a winning bid of £1,000, and a signed copy of Valegro the book by Carl Hester went for £70.

The event was made possible thanks to hosts Susie and Konrad Goess-Saurau.

“We had a great evening and the weather was kind, so people could enjoy their drinks outside,” said Susie.

“Willberry Wonder Pony is such an inspiring charity and we were so pleased to be able to raise so much on the evening.

“I am very grateful to Ben and all the riders who supported the event and wish them well at Badminton!”

Continued below

Wobbleberry army set to raise thousands for Willberry Wonder Pony

Event rider Andrew Hoy is supporting the challenge

Willberry on TV: did you spot the famous equine in this prime time drama?

Many viewers did a double take as one

‘Find a way — not an excuse’: inspiring young rider presented with Hannah Francis Award

Evie Toombes, who was born with a form

Equestrian photographer and charity representative Jon Stroud added: “We were delighted to see such a fantastic and enthusiastic turnout for Willberry does Badminton and its accompanying online auction,”

“For such great names in the sport to continue to offer their time and support in the name of Hannah is both heartwarming and inspiring.

“Thank you, everyone, for your amazing effort and for the outstanding sum raised.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Six lucky riders will have the chance to line up with Nick Skelton, Ben Hobday and either William or Alice Fox-Pitt in a race at Cheltenham in aid of Willberry Wonder Pony.

Tina Cook will also be among the competitors in the flat race, which is also in aid of the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, on 20 April next year.

The celebrities will be joined by six riders from the “wider equestrian community”, and applications are open now.

Ian Peters, trustee of Willberry Wonder Pony, said: “The equestrian community has been overwhelming in its support for Hannah’s legacy and to share this day with the Bob Champion Cancer Trust is the highest honour.

“We hope people will generously support the heroes riding, and those inspiring their efforts – Bob and Hannah.

“The fight against cancer needs heroes and we know the equestrian community will stand shoulder to shoulder with ours.”

Before she died, teenage event rider Hannah Francis said she would like a race to be run in aid of her charity, which supports bone cancer research and granting horsey wishes to those with serious illnesses.

An official lunch and fundraising activities will also take place on the day of the race.

“Hannah Francis was a brave and inspirational person and I was fortunate enough to have met her,” Mr Champion said.

“I feel honoured that the Bob Champion Cancer Trust can celebrate her life with the Champions Willberry Charity Race, linking the charity she set up as her legacy with the Bob Champion Cancer Trust.

“I hope that everyone gets behind supporting us whether this is by applying to ride, attending the lunch, sponsorship, donations or prizes, so we can raise much needed funds for both charities.”

Applications from riders are invited from today (16 November) until 5 December.

Related articles:

• ‘Fantastic’ BE boost for Wobbleberries
• Hovis’ Friday diary: ‘as much energy as a tortoise after a zumba class’
• Riders to shave off their hair for Willberry Wonder Pony

Successful applicants must be aged 18 or over, be competent riders and be able to provide their own horse. Download application forms and guidelines here.

Ian Renton, regional director of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “We are delighted to be able to host this charity race in honour of two such rewarding charities.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The great and the good of the equestrian world descended on Ascot racecourse last week (3 November) to celebrate a stellar equestrian year with the inaugural Horse & Hound Awards. Take a glimpse of the star-studded celebrations in action...

A team selfie with the Charles Owen Moment of the Year winner Ben Hobday

Emily King gets her #Skelfie fix

Ben Hobday shares his memories of eventer Hannah Francis, winner of the H&H Inspiration of the Year Award

We imagine Valegro was cheering on the Horseware Groom of the Year Alan Davies from home…

H&H‘s magazine and eventing editor Pippa Roome doesn’t miss the chance for a selfie with Ben Hobday

Pikeur Amateur Rider of the Year nominee Tamsin Drew shares her highlights of the evening

Crown Riding Club share a snap of their award

Eventers Emily King, Ben Hobday and Mary King

Showing producer and dressage rider Louise Bell and the Horseware Groom of the Year Alan Davies

Dressage riders Rebecca and Gareth Hughes

Dressage riders Anna Ross and Bobby Hayler

Showing producer Katie Jerram with Olympic eventer Chris Hunnable

Paralympian Anne Dunham with Gill Hartley

Guest speaker Mary King takes the audience on a trip down memory lane

Paralympian Sophie Christiansen makes an entrance

Dressage riders Anna Ross and Bobby Hayler take the spotlight against the H&H glamour board

Eventer Jonty Evans with his wife Jane

Showjumpers Nick Skelton, Graham and Tina Fletcher, Addington’s Tim Price and course designer Bob Ellis

The morning after…

Read all about the winners of the inaugural Horse & Hound Awards in today’s issue of the magazine (10 November)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Ben Hobday managed to canter and jump side-saddle in a charity display at Blenheim, but admitted he found the new way of riding challenging.

The popular four-star event rider took part in the display to raise funds for cancer charities Willberry Wonder Pony and Bright Red.

Ben was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma in June 2015, but announced he was in remission in November.

International side-saddle judge and trainer Ginny Oakley Pope gave Ben a lesson on former intermediate eventer Ashton Flight, who sported a Willberry Wonder Pony quarter mark for the occasion.

The 14.3hh coloured gelding was crowned national side-saddle reserve champion with his owner Lauren Allin at Addington last month.

“It was really difficult, but it was great fun,” said Ben.

“It’s a totally different kind of balance. I was trying to listen as much as I could to Ginny.

“The horses are very well trained,” he added.

Willberry Wonder Pony was launched by Hannah Francis, who passed away last month aged 18 (1 August).

Since her osteosarcoma diagnosis in May 2015, Hannah raised significant funds for various charities.

Her own charity was approved as a registered charity in May.

All funds raised by Willberry Wonder Pony go towards bone cancer research and granting horsey wishes to those with serious illnesses.

The challenge also raised funds for blood cancer charity Bright Red.

Related articles:

• Pre-cross-country dance sessions — and other things you didn’t know about Ben Hobday
• Ben Hobday returns to competition after cancer battle
• ‘She was a magical person’: showjumper organises Hannah Francis memorial event

Side-saddle demonstrations were given twice a day throughout Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (8-11 September), with Ben appearing on the first day.

The Side Saddle Association has been promoting the discipline at the event for nine years, with a side-saddle rider traditionally opening Blenheim’s high jump contest — which also supported Willberry Wonder Pony this year.

The popular high jump competition involves a ‘knockout’ style class in which there is just one fence that goes higher and higher.

This year’s competition was jointly won by four riders — Vicky Laing, Jack Pinkney, Scarlett Ward and Gemma Tattersall — who shared the £500 prize, which was donated to Willberry Wonder Pony.

“The total monies raised by Ginny Oakley Pope, A Bit on the Side and Ben Hobday was £1,000 – thanks are due to Northampton Branch of Barclays Bank who matched pound for pound the money collected,” said a Blenheim spokesman.

“The money will be divided between Bright Red and Willberry Wonder Pony Charities of which Ben Hobday is patron.

People can continue to donate to Bright Red by texting BENH34£3 to 70070 and to Willberry Wonder Pony via Just Giving.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Eventer Ben Hobday will be riding in a new direction at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials this week (8-11 September), as he takes part in a side-saddle demo in aid of two cancer charities.

Ben will have a lesson on former intermediate eventer Ashton Flight, who was crowned national side-saddle reserve champion with his owner Lauren Allin at Addington last month.

“We’re going to teach Ben a little bit of elegance and history and hope we can get him walking, trotting and cantering on both reins. He may even jump a little fence — Polly Stockton did last time so we’ll see how it goes.” said international side-saddle judge and trainer Ginny Oakley Pope, who will be training Ben.

“It’s a little tongue-in-cheek with the gents although we do have gentlemen side-saddle riders who show. We won’t make him dress up though — he’ll be in civvies!” she said.

Side-saddle demonstrations will be given twice a day throughout Blenheim, with Ben scheduled to appear some time on Thursday (September 8), depending on his dressage time.

The Side Saddle Association has been promoting the discipline at the event for nine years, with a side-saddle rider traditionally opening Blenheim’s high jump contest — which will be supporting the late Hannah Francis’s charity Willberry Wonder Pony this year.

Ben’s side-saddle experience will also raise funds for Willberry Wonder Pony — of which he is a patron — as well as backing blood cancer charity Bright Red.

Related articles:

• 12 elegant (and very daring) ladies hunting side-saddle
• Pre-cross-country dance sessions — and other things you didn’t know about Ben Hobday
• Why we still adore Zara Phillips’ Toytown *PICTURES*

Ben has been supporting the organisation since he was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma in June 2015.

Ginny said that the Northampton branch of Barclays is backing the fundraising efforts, which will involve bucket collections and wristband sales.

“They’ve been brilliant — we’re hoping it will raise a lot of money,” she added.

This year’s side-saddle display team will once again include ex-eventer French Connection, who competed at Blenheim in 2011 with Bill Levett.

He’s now owned by the Quorn’s Emma Brown, who has previously used the gelding to open the high jump contest.

“Side-saddle a wonderful third or fourth career for some horses,” added Ginny. “We go to Blenheim to promote it and show that it’s accessible to everybody.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Fresh off the back of his double clear at Badminton, where he finished 32nd with Mulrys Error, Julie Harding finds out a bit more about the 28-year-old eventer who beat cancer to return to competition this season

1. Ben‘s secret weapon is a Shetland pony

“Shadow Super Steve puts a smile on everyone’s face after a busy day.”

2. He knows how to wine and dine clients

“My favourire restaurant is Gusto in Knutsford, where they cook the best steaks. I take a lot of my clients there, so anyone wanting to buy a horse from me will get to visit and enjoy it. They also make great cocktails and I love playing cocktail roulette when the bar staff choose your drink. I find I sell a lot of horses after that.”

3. He’s secured some first-class grooms

“My best tip for saving time around the yard is to find some super grooms who will run your life. I have some, but I can’t name them in case someone else offers them a job.”

4. He’s partial to some pre-cross-country dancing

“When I’m on the lorry I listen to rap, house and a bit of R&B. Georgie Spence once caught my team and me at Badminton having a dance session before I rode across country.”

5. He follows his heart

“I once flew to Marbella for the day following an invite from Emma Carmichael. She hadn’t expected me to go — we had only met briefly at Bramham beforehand — but it is just as well I did as she is now my fiancé.”

6. He has a penchant for chocolate

“My biggest indulgence is chocolate. I wish it could be drip-fed, but because I’m an athlete I don’t indulge at this time of year, of course.”

7. He’s learnt from his mistakes

“The biggest mistake I have learnt from was falling at the last fence during my first advanced at Witton Castle. I came in at a flat-out gallop, the horse fell through it and I did a triple somersault. That taught me to respect every fence, from the first to the last.”

8. In another life, he would like to have been a racing car driver

“If it hadn’t been eventing, I would have raced cars like my dad Steve, who was also a British motocross champion. Motocross has no appeal to me because there’s no money in it, but I fancy my chances in Formula One. I love the idea of pushing myself to the limits.”

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Ben Hobday returns to competition after cancer battle

Wish it was this time last week? 19 moments to ease your post-Badminton gloom

9. He has his priorities right

“Cancer taught me that life is short and you have to enjoy every minute, work hard and push boundaries. If you want to do something, do it now. What’s the worst that can happen?”

Don’t miss our feature about what makes Ben’s ride Mulrys Error so special in the 26 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out next week

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Pictures by Peter Nixon

The first horse inspection… the start of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and nerves are racing. No one wants their competition to end here — and it has happened in the past, sometimes even to those who think their horses are perfectly sound.

But away from the high drama, the trot-up is also a catwalk, a chance for riders to show their flair for fashion.

Which of these looks are weird and which are wonderful? You decide…

Louise Harwood (Whitson and Mr Potts, pictured): turquoise was a popular colour among female competitors this year, as shown here in the ties of Louise’s jacket. White jeans were also a frequent sight.

Badminton final scores

Dani Evans (Raphael II and Smart Time, pictured): the 24-year-old sported a classy monochrome look, with a black and white jacket over a black dress.

Megan Heath (St Daniel): the New Zealand rider paired her culottes with a spangly top.

Kirsty Johnston (Opposition Detective): this one got my stylish mother-in-law’s vote for the best look — a white and blue dress, with black boots, set off by Kirsty’s curly hair.

Ben Way (Galley Light): the amateur rider took our “judges’ choice award” — admittedly the panel were all female… his classic outfit combined a tweed jacket with loafers.

Andreas Ostholt (So Is Et): a close runner-up for the “judges’ choice award” — you can’t beat a man in uniform…

Clarke Johnstone (Balmoral Sensation): although the gentlemen of my acquaintance tell me blue suits and brown shoes are “uber-naff”, there were a fair few examples of this on display and I thought they looked rather smart. Also, we have questions about Clarke’s scarf and the name Balmoral — is there a Scottish connection?

Ben Hobday (Mulrys Error): the popular rider showed off a look involving shades and a tweed jacket and waistcoat — and received the biggest cheer of the day.

Tina Cook (Star Witness): Tina let her jewellery do the talking today, with a matching necklace and earrings.

Alex Hua Tian (Harbour Pilot C): the Chinese rider looked particularly striking in a bow tie, patent shoes and a jacket with a chevron pattern.

Zara Tindall (High Kingdom): another in white jeans, Zara also wore a loose black and white jacket.

Emily King (Brookleigh): the youngest rider here, Emily showed off her slim figure in a tight-fitting orange dress.

Bettina Hoy (Designer 10): the German’s look was my personal favourite — the statement piece being a short navy jacket with white piping.

Paul Tapner (Vanir Kamira): known for his dashing outfits, Paul wore his trademark red this time in his bow tie and socks, plus he wore a jacket on which the trimming matched his trousers.

Lucy Jackson (Bosun): we overheard someone say, “Is that Robin Hood from Sherwood Forest?” as Lucy took to the strip — her feathered hat was certainly the most outlandish fashion item on display.

Dee Hankey (Chequers Playboy): known for her high heels, former popstar Dee kept the footwear pretty conservative this year. She was one of several ladies to wear fur, in her case on the collar and cuffs.

Follow all our Badminton online coverage and make sure you buy next week’s magazine (12 May) for a full 24-page report.

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Alice Dunsdon has been accepted into next week’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (5-8 May) from the waiting list.

Alice, a Badminton first-timer, is bidding to make history as the first person to complete all six of the world’s four-star horse trials on the same horse.

Badminton is the last of the set she has to attempt, but when she entered this year she was 22nd on the waiting list. It’s usual for the event to be over-subscribed and horses are accepted strictly on the basis of FEI points won at three- and four-star competitions over the past two years. While Alice’s ride Fernhill Present has an excellent completion rate, he has not been well-placed on his top-level runs so has few FEI points.

Horses are accepted from the waiting list to replace those who withdraw until 2pm on Sunday (1 May), so those rooting for Alice have been on tenterhooks waiting to see if she would get in. Her place was confirmed in a phone call from the Badminton office earlier this morning.

Alice blogged for H&H during her epic trip to complete the Australian four-star at Adelaide last year and has returned to our bloggers’ roster for Badminton. Having chronicled the ups and downs of being on the waiting list, she will now continue to report her progress through the event.

Badminton final scores

• Read Alice’s blogs

Ben Hobday to ride Mulrys Error

Ben Hobday, who was one place below Alice on the waiting list, has also been accepted Badminton with Mulrys Error. Ben has a huge following on social media and his fans were particularly keen to see him run as he has returned to competition this season after battling cancer last year. He posted his reaction to the news in a video on his facebook page.

There is just one rider now left on the waiting list, France’s 2002 world champion Jean Teulere with Matelot Du Grand Val. With four days still to go until the cut-off, there is a good chance he will also come off the list and be able to run.

Continued below…

Oliver Townend to be Badminton 2016 pathfinder

Throwback — Badminton first-timers: Emily King — ‘It’s surreal to be riding, not watching Mum’

6 great reasons to visit the H&H stand at Badminton

Today’s withdrawals that have given Alice and Ben a chance to compete are Ireland’s Jim Newsam with Magennis and British-based Swedish rider Ludwig Svennerstal with King Bob.

US star Boyd Martin also had to pull out one of his two rides, Master Frisky, yesterday when the horse suffered a bout of cellulitis. Boyd still competes on Cracker Jack.

The Irish challenge has been severely been depleted over the past week, with Sam Watson (Horseware Bushman) and Aoife Clark (Wasting Light) both withdrawing as well as Jim.

UPDATE (8.45am on Thursday, 28 April): Patricia Ryan has withdrawn Tullineasky Hi Ho, another blow to the Irish. Jean Teulere has been accepted from the waiting list with Matelot Du Grand Val, meaning all the riders and horses initially on the waiting list have now been offered the chance to run.

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Ben Hobday has completed his first horse trials since his recent battle with cancer.

The popular four-star eventer competed at Lincolnshire Horse Trials on 18 March.

He rode youngsters Ekamorka, Shadow Cointreau Z and Shadow Soldier in the BE100.

“First event back,” Ben wrote on his Facebook page. “[It] felt great! All my babies had their first run and were very grown up.”

27-year-old Ben was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the end of June last year and underwent treatment at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Badminton final scores

He announced he was in remission from cancer on 18 November.

That day he told H&H he was feeling “very relieved”.

“I can get back to normal life and enjoy life,” he said.

He added the support he has had from everyone, including the hospital staff, his fiancee Emma Carmichael and her family, his family and the staff on the yard has been “amazing”.

Badminton Horse Trials

Ben has been put on the wait list for Badminton Horse Trials in May.

Fans keen to see the star take part in the iconic four-star have set up a Facebook page entitled Ben Hobday to go to Badminton.

“He is a real crowd pleaser and the sport needs him to bring it back into the media spotlight,” said Sharon Smallridge.

However, Katy Ferrari pointed out that Badminton is run on qualification points, not “who they choose to let in”.

“No amount of campaigning will change this unfortunately,” she said. “Nice to show your support though.”

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European silver medallist Kitty King was among the award winners at the Eventing Riders Association (ERA) of GB’s ball on 28 November.

Both British Eventing (BE) and ERA awards were presented at the party.

Kitty, who finished fourth at the FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle in September, was presented with the Jane Holderness Roddam Trophy for the leading British rider at the event.

She also picked up the ERA International most influential rider of 2015 prize.

Emily King, who made her four-star debut at Pau this year (21-25 October), was another rider to win multiple awards.

The 19-year-old took the Goldman Cup for the leading under-21 rider of the season, which Dani Evans collected on her behalf.

Emily also won the ERA International rising star award.

Ben Hobday, who is in remission from cancer, was the winner of the ERA GB’s best use of social media accolade and made his acceptance speech via video link.

“Thank you very much for the award tonight,” he said. “It is really kind and overwhelming.

“Everyone’s support and well wishes, really it has helped me and means a hell of a lot so thank you so much.”

Young eventer Hannah Francis, who is going through treatment for osteosarcoma, was the winner of the ERA GB’s against all odds award.

“It was a truly magical evening that I honestly do not think I can put into words or explain to you all just how much it meant to me,” she said on social media.

“But it will be a night I will never ever forget and a was total dream come true. Thank you.”

William Fox-Pitt was the winner of the ERA’s riders choice award.

The Tony Collins award for the leading British rider of the season went to Oliver Townend, who topped the overall rankings for 2015 with 2,086 points.

The Mitsubishi Motors leading rider award for the top grassroots rider was given to Katie Hancock.

Alex Postolowsky took the leading foundation point rider, heading the ranking table above Piggy French and Vicky Tuffs.

Eighteen-year-old Alex Tordoff received the Hubert Allfrey Trophy for his performance at the FEI Junior European Championships in Bialy Bor, Poland

Meanwhile earlier this year, Thomas Tulloch, 16, took the Jane Rook Trophy for being the highest placed rider in the GB squad at the FEI Pony European Championships in Malmö, Sweden.

In November, Will Furlong was given the Sir John Burder Trophy for his individual gold medal at the 2015 FEI Young Rider European Championships in Strzegom, Poland.

Other ERA award winners included Barbary Castle (favourite competiton venue), Helen West (favourite event organiser), Miranda Collett (favourite event secretary), Keith Watkins (favourite volunteer), Bicton (best use of social media by an event organiser) and Felicity Collins (best use of social media for an amateur rider).

Hosted by rider Jonty Evans, the ball was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Winkfield.

The BE awards were presented by the organisation’s chief executive David Holmes.

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Eventer Ben Hobday is in remission from cancer.

Ben was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the end of June this year and has been undergoing treatment at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

He told H&H today (Wednesday, 18 November) that he is feeling “very relieved” and will be celebrating this evening.

“I can get back to normal life and enjoy life,” he said.

He added the support he has had from everyone, including the hospital staff, his girlfriend Emma Carmichael and her family, his family and the staff on the yard has been “amazing”.

Ben also shared the news with his 14,500 Twitter followers, 32,000 Instragram followers and 25,300 Facebook fans this morning.

He posted a collage of photos across the social media sites of some of the doctors and nurses who treated him.

“REMISSION!!! Cancer NO More!!!” he said.

“Thank you I am forever grateful you incredible people #NHSistheBest”

The post already has more than 6,000 Facebook likes.

The four-star eventer completed his chemotherapy treatment on 30 September.

He returned home and has started riding again, this weekend taking part in masterclasses alongside Australian rider Paul Tapner in front of crowds in Stoneleigh Park, Warks.

“That was amazing — we had a really good time,” said Ben.

“Paul put on a really good show and the whole team had a great weekend.”

Last month, Ben told H&H that he was planning his comeback and was said he couldn’t wait to return riding “horse after horse after horse”.

A frequent competitor at top-level events, Ben has jumped clear across country at multiple four-stars including Badminton 2015 and Burghley 2014.

His eventing successes include young rider team gold and individual bronze at the 2008 European Championships in Germany.

He also won the under-21 CCI2* at Weston Park in 2006 and has numerous placings at three-star.

Most recently, he came ninth on Ramilo in the CIC3* at Bramham (11 June).

Since revealing his diagnosis, the equestrian community has shown huge support and tens of thousands of pounds has been raised for cancer charities through fundraisers.

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William Fox-Pitt, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro’s groom Alan Davies are among the list of Brits that have been shortlisted for the 2015 FEI Awards.

A total of 29 candidates — seven of which are British — are up for prizes that will be presented at a gala dinner at the FEI general assembly in Brazil on 13 November.

Alan has been nominated for the best groom prize along with fellow Brit Imogen Mercer, who works for eventer Sam Griffiths.

This award recognises “behind the scenes team members who work around the clock” to give their horses the best possible care and attention.

“I’m really lucky, looking back I have always enjoyed my career,” Alan told H&H.

“Over nearly 30 years I have worked with some of the best riders, horses and grooms in the world and you never stop learning.”

Joining Alan and Imogen on the shortlist is Jennider Arnsten (USA vaulting team), Marlen Schannwell (Bertram Allen), Jose Eduardo Garcia Luna (Steffen Peters) and Zoltan Herczeg (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl).

Charlotte Dujardin and William Fox-Pitt have made the shortlist for the Reem Acra best athlete category.

Also nominated is Boyd Exell, Jaques Ferrari, Ingrid Klimke and Jeroen Dubbeldam.

Showjumper Jessica Mendoza, who made her senior championship debut at the Europeans in Aachen this year, is on the list for the Longines rising star accolade.

This is for equestrians aged between 14-21 who demonstrate “outstanding sporting talent”.

World record-breaker Phoebe Peters has also made the shortlist for the rising star award.

Dressage rider Phoebe, 16, made history at the pony European championships in Malmö, Sweden (5-9 August) after breaking world records in the individual test and the freestyle.

As well as winning two individual gold medals, Phoebe was also part of the British gold medal-winning team.

Phoebe and Jessica are up against Ireland’s Bertram Allen, Juan Matute Jr from Spain, Kelsey Russell from the USA and Germany’s Gina Schumacher.

Four-star eventer Ben Hobday has been put forward for the Against All Odds category.

Ben was diagnosed with cancer in June and is now returning to riding following treatment.

Also nominated are Gerado Tazzer from Mexico, Oriana Ricci Mannisille from Uruguay, Austria’s Pepo Puch and Rixt van der Horst from the Netherlands.

Hollywood actress Bo Derek, chair of the jury for this year’s awards, will present the honours.

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Eventer Ben Hobday has told H&H he is planning his return to the saddle.

Ben revealed in June that he had been diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing treatment at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

On 30 September, Ben finished chemotherapy and is now building up his immune system.

He told H&H on Wednesday (14 October) that he is hoping to ride in a demo with Paul Tapner at Your Horse Live on 14-15 November.

His mother, Lisa Hobday, has also been raising money for a place at Jack Berry House, the Injured Jockeys Fund’s new rehabilitation centre in Yorkshire.

Twenty-seven-year-old Ben said he will “see how it goes”, but is hoping to start working on building his fitness up once his blood levels are up.

His aim is to be back riding properly by January.

“I am going to try to improve my fitness and keep pushing myself to get back to riding for the beginning of next season,” he told H&H.

“I am looking forward to returning to my horses and normal life.

“I really miss it — I can’t wait to be back riding horse after horse after horse.”

Ben’s eventing accolades include winning the under-21 CCI2* at Weston Park in 2006.

He also has multiple placings at three-star level and has jumped clear around Badminton and Burghley.

Most recently, he came ninth on Ramilo in the CIC3* at Bramham (11 June).

He runs Shadow Sport Horses in Cheshire and his top horse is part-Clydesdale Mulrys Error, who he completed Badminton with in April.

Since sharing the news about his diagnosis, Ben has received huge social media support and has even had a video message from Virgin mogul Richard Branson.

Fundraisers held in support of Ben have also raised tens of thousands of pounds for cancer charities.

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Four-star eventer Ben Hobday has finished chemotherapy.

The 27-year-old event rider revealed this morning (30 September) that he had completed the treatment.

“Last chemo done of the treatment — scan in six weeks — now home to rest and build an immune system,” he said.

“Huge thank you to the doctors, nurses and the whole hospital and everyone of you sending me kind messages of support.

“You have helped me get through this tough part of my life which appeared impossible at times.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Ben revealed in June that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

Following his diagnosis, the equestrian community rallied behind him.

The Eventing Family, a group set up to support eventers and their connections going through tough times, hosted a party at Bicton Arena in August in support of Ben and others.

They raised more than £30,000 that was split between Spinal Research, Cancer Research UK, Teenage Cancer Trust and Motor Neuron Disease Association.

More than £20,000 was also raised at “Ben’s Bucking Fundraiser”, held at Somerford Park Horse Trials (22 August) in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The auction and party was organised by Ben’s head girl, Rachel Moran, and Somerford-based Laura Ritchie Bland.

The total came to £21,500, which included a lesson with Ben that went for £560.

He also received a message of support from Richard Branson in July.

“Hi Ben, it’s Richard here,” Richard said. “Just want to wish you all the best…you can come out [of the illness] 100% at the end of it. Good luck,” said the Virgin Group founder.

Ben, who runs Shadow Sport Horses in Cheshire, told H&H at the time that he was “quite overwhelmed”.

Supporters are also continuing to organise events and cancer charity fundraisers in support of Ben and fellow eventer Hannah Francis, who has osteosarcoma.

Ben’s eventing successes include young rider team gold and individual bronze at the European Championships in Germany in 2008.

He has competed at a number of four-stars, including Burghley 2014 and Badminton 2015 on the popular Mulrys Error, a Clydesdale x thoroughbred, who has his own Twitter account.

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British eventer Ben Hobday, who is being treated for cancer, has received a special get well message from Richard Branson.

The founder of Virgin Group spoke on video and sent his support to the popular eventer.

Ben shared the video on his social media pages.

“Hi Ben, it’s Richard here,” Richard said. “Just want to wish you all the best…you can come out [of the illness] 100% at the end of it. Good luck.”

Ben, who shared the news of his cancer last month (3 June), was delighted to receive the message.

“It was a very nice surprise,” he told H&H. “I’ve never met him before — it was very, very kind. I’m quite overwhelmed.”

The four-star eventer, who jumped a clear round the cross-country at Badminton this year with Mulrys Error, spoke of the support from the eventing community.

“It’s very, very nice, people do things they don’t have to do,” he said.

“I’ve had lots of visitors, it’s amazing. Friends have driven up for five hours to see me.

“It just makes things a bit easier.”

Ben’s eventing successes so far include team gold and individual bronze at the 2008 young rider European Championships in Germany, first place in the under-21 CCI2* at Weston Park in 2006 and individual sixth at the 2006 young rider European Championships at Blair Castle.

He also has multiple top-10 placings at two- and three-star level and as well as a number of double clears as three and four-star.

Most recently, he finished ninth at this year’s Bramham CIC3* (11-14 June) riding Grub’s Ramilo.

Since becoming ill Ben has been able to check in with Grub’s Ramilo through FaceTime.

“He’s my boy, he’s a good horse. It was nice to see him,” he added.

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A fundraising party has been organised by a group of eventers in support of friends and family facing difficult times.

Started by Aaron Millar, the group is called The Eventing Family and has both a Twitter account and Facebook page.

Other group members include Helen West, Beccy Barrett, Alex Jackson, Sophie Richardson and Andrew Fell, who are helping to arrange a party at Bicton Horse Trials on 22 August.

Money raised this year will be split between Spinal Research, Cancer Research UK, Teenage Cancer Trust and Motor Neuron Disease Association.

The support for Spinal Research is for Jemima Green – Jodie Amos’ fomer head girl – who sustained life-changing injuries in a car crash earlier this year in which 25-year-old groom Louiza Covey died.

The cancer charities were chosen for Hannah Francis (pictured left) and four-star event rider Ben Hobday (pictured top), who are both undergoing chemotherapy.

The decision to support motor neuron research was made in support of Helen West’s mother, Pat.

So far a host of famous names and organisations have made donations to the charity raffle and auction.

These include a training day for horse and rider with Andrew Nicholson and a life-time British Eventing membership for a rider plus a year’s membership for a horse.

Speaking to H&H earlier last week, Ben said he is “overwhelmed” with the amount of support and well wishes he has received.

“It really makes me feel so much more positive and motivated about getting through these next few months,” he said.

“Obviously it is a life changing issue. However, the support has given me the determination to battle through it and look forward to next season.

“I can’t thank you all enough for all of the messages, calls, cards and gifts. It really makes a big difference.”

Olivia Robertson, who is also on Eventing Family’s event committee, runs the Willberry Wonder Pony website that she set up in support of Hannah.

The 19-year-old heard about Hannah’s diagnosis and despite having never met her, decided she wanted to do something to help her raise the £800 needed for a wig.

Olivia set up a website for Hannah and Willberry – a toy horse who accompanies Hannah to her hospital appointments – a month ago after seeing their posts on Instagram.

Since then, both 17-year-old Hannah and the toy have kept a regularly-updated blog and have a range of wristbands, cross-country base layers and onesies for sale.

Olivia said the response has been “incredible” and estimates around £12,000 has been raised so far.

This will be split between Hannah and a number of cancer charities.

“It is amazing,” she said. “Everybody joins together – eventing is such a friendly sport.

She added that Hannah has been so inspiring and “really is kicking cancer’s butt!”

The pair, who have a number of mutual friends, are set to meet for the first time this weekend.

Hannah said: “I’ve been totally overwhelmed by support from every person and never expected it to grow so big! The whole raising awareness has been the best bit as many others are realising just how many people go through this horrible disease everyday.”

“Thank you for everyone’s ongoing support from the bottom of mine and Willberry’s heart.”

Visit www.facebook.com/eventingfamily for information.

A separate fundraising show and party has been organised for the Bright Red Charity, which supports the cancer units at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle where Ben is receiving treatment.

The event, which is not connected to the Eventing Family party at Bicton, will be held on 9 August at Todburn Equestrian Centre.

Visit www.todburnequestriancentre.co.uk for details.

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Fans of top event rider Ben Hobday have come out in huge support after he revealed he has cancer.

The popular four-star event rider shared the news on his personal Twitter account last night (Tuesday, 3 June) with his 11.7k followers.

The post said: “Sorry I have been quiet recently. But the last few weeks have been very difficult, I have been in hospital for lots of tests and I have been diagnosed with cancer.

“My head is all over the show at the moment but all your support really helps, thank you.

“I will never give up and I will beat this.”

Ben posted a thanks on his Facebook page this morning to everyone who has sent their support.

He said: “Everyone’s support even in the last 12 hours has been unbelievable. I can’t thank you enough, it really picks me up.”

Ben, who jumped clear round the cross-country at Badminton this year with Mulrys Error, received a Twitterstorm of well wishes in response to last night’s post.

The FEI tweeted: “Our thoughts are with you Ben — you’ll be beating this in no time.”

Eventing legend Lucinda Green, Olympic bronze medallist Sharon Hunt, inspirational former event rider Claire Lomas and Bramham CCI3* winner Flora Harris are among the masses who have sent their best wishes.

@Willberrywonderpony — a Twitter account for toy pony Willberry whose owner, Hannah Francis, also has cancer – was another to tweet support.

Many of the tweeters used supportive hashtags, including #kickingcancersbutt and #HobdayMyHero as well as hashtag #yehboi, an expression which Ben is known for using.

Ben’s eventing successes so far include team gold and individual bronze at the 2008 young rider European Championships in Germany, first place in the under-21 CCI2* at Weston Park in 2006 and individual sixth at the 2006 young rider European Championships at Blair Castle.

He also has multiple top-10 placings at two- and three-star level and as well as a number of double clears as three and four-star.

Most recently, he finished ninth at this year’s Bramham CIC3* (11-14 June) riding Ramilo.

In 2012, he picked up the prize for the highest placed under-25 rider at Burghley Horse Trials.

Ben runs his own business – Shadow Sport Horse Ltd – from his base in Cheshire.

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Setting strong foundations during the early stages of your horse’s career is crucial. Ben Hobday, who completed his second Badminton CCI4* this year, reveals seven pieces of advice that have helped him produce brave cross-country horses time and time again.

1. Do little and often

You don’t want to jump a horse every day, but schooling near fences on a regular basis is useful because being around other horses and seeing different obstacles becomes normal.

Ben has daily access to a course, but most riders don’t. He says: “Hacking out and finding banks, streams and ditches is just as effective. A young horse will grow in confidence.”

2. Aim for consistency in between fences

Send the canter forward and back during your warm-up to help get the horse listening and his stride adjustable.

“It’s typical of a young horse for the stride to vary,” explains Ben. “They will be travelling forward nicely and then something will distract them — either something in the distance or another horse — and their attention comes off the rider. Keep your aids consistent to get the focus back.”

3. Teach a horse to be brave

This is achieved through repetition.

“Would you jump a fence if you didn’t have any power or rhythm? I wouldn’t,” says Ben. “When I kick the horse should take me forward every time.

“It’s easy to ruin a horse’s confidence, but not so easy to fix it. If you ride positively and consistently, the horse knows what you’re expecting of him. I think it’s better to ride consistently badly than inconsistently, because then the horse is always clear.”

4. Ask questions

Simple questions that are easy for the horse to answer will help him learn and boost confidence. For example, rather than approaching a fence on a long, straight line every time, try turning to it off a tighter bend.

“You have to ask questions of young horses to help them learn, but in a way that if they get the answer wrong they won’t lose confidence.”

Continued below…

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5. Never waver off a line

Pick your line and insist the horse stays on it. On landing, continue in a straight line until you say otherwise.

“This is a common mistake,” says Ben. “Without thinking about it the rider lets the horse turn and doesn’t correct them — then wonders why they can’t travel straight to a fence on a related distance. You must be consistent whether you are training or at an event.”

6. Don’t panic

It is natural for a young horse to back off a new fence, which is why your leg must always be on, supporting and encouraging him forward.

“When the horse looks to you for confidence, he gets that from your aids being clear,” explains Ben. “For some riders it might be tempting to flap with your arms, but forwardness only comes from your leg. Anything else distracts the horse.”

7. Be firm, but kind

Ben allows his horses to take the rein forward and look down as they approach water, but they aren’t allowed to stop moving.

“Contact is important because if you drop the rein, a horse’s natural reaction is to suck back and then you’ve lost all connection,” says Ben. “Keep the leg on all the way through, so that if the horse hesitates at any point you are still telling him to go.”

Read the full cross-country training article with Ben Hobday in the June 2015 issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It doesn’t matter what level you event at, being effective in the saddle is crucial. Ben Hobday, who has Sallie Ryle’s Mulrys Error on the waitlist for Badminton this year, reveals his top tips for successful cross-country riding

1 Warm up effectively

“This is the time to make sure the horse is in front of the leg,” says Ben. “I call it running through the gears — sending the canter forward and forward again, but also dropping back and shortening just as easily. Don’t interrupt the flow and rhythm by making tight turns. It should be smooth, like a driving test.”

2 Have plenty of power in the canter

“You can give any horse the power to jump better by choosing the right gear and putting more quality into the canter,” adds Ben. “It’s not about going faster, but having rhythm and the feeling that the horse is taking you to a fence.

“You can see a stride 100 times better if your horse is travelling forward. If he’s behind the leg you’re leaving it to hope — and you should never leave jumping to hope.”

3 Get the power earlier so that you have less to do in front of the fence

“You know when a rider hasn’t seen a good shot because four strides out they suddenly say ‘go, go, go’ with their legs, essentially asking the horse to be quicker. But logically that makes no sense — if you can’t see the stride you’ve got to allow time to see it by sitting into the horse and waiting for the fence.”

4 Work out the best take-off spot for your horse

Ben’s CCI4* contender Grub’s Ramilo, who features in the above video, likes to be close to a fence.

“It means he can tuck his hindleg underneath, push off and go higher, which takes less effort. When you get to a fence on a long stride, the hindleg is further back and the jump is flat.”

5 Having a confident cross-country horse is like a bank account

“Every time a rider puts their leg on they are topping up the account, but if you’re constantly spending confidence — with a poor canter, lack of power, bad line etcetera — the bank manager will be after you,” explains Ben. “Keep topping up the account. If it’s empty you risk problems, such as refusals and run outs, creeping in and it takes time to save up.”

Read more of Ben Hobday’s cross-country advice in the April issue of Eventing magazine, on sale now

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now