Four-star event rider, Dee Kennedy endured “the most terrifying experience of her life” last night (23 July).

Dee had taken her four-star partner, Chequers Playboy (Kenny, pictured) to all-weather gallops at Kelsall Hill in Cheshire. Half-way up the hill on their third canter of the session, Kenny’s bit broke clean in two.

“Kenny is very strong, even at the best of times. I ride him in a twisted Barry gag and I always still have a double handful,” said Dee, who runs an event yard from her Cheshire base.

When the bit broke, Dee went to pull the reins and each half of the bit came up the sides of Kenny’s face to behind his ears.

“Initially feeling the bit behind his ears sent him forward, so I did my best to pat him and calm him down,” explained Dee.

Unfortunately Kenny soon realised he was free and bolted. He left the gallops at high speed and turned off onto a grass farm track.

“I had a neckstrap, so tried to use that to slow him down, but it was having absolutely no affect at all. All I could do was keep talking to him,” added Dee.

The rider said she didn’t want to bail out for two reasons. “Firstly I didn’t know where he would end up if I went out the side door, but also it would have hurt,” she said.

By this point Dee and Kenny were heading downhill towards a woman coming up the hill on a hack.

“I shouted to the lady ‘please can you get in my way’, but unfortunately she thought I was telling her to get out of the way,” explained Dee.

Thankfully the distraction of another horse was enough to slow Kenny down to a trot, at which point Dee jumped off.

“My legs were like jelly. I put the reins through Kenny’s mouth to keep hold of him while I led him about half a mile back to the horsebox,” said Dee, who had made the trip to the gallops on her own.

“I called my husband Hayden and asked him to come and help me re-group and to make sure I was still human.”

Luckily horse and rider both escaped without injury.

Dee, who was formerly in a pop band that toured with Boyzone, is aiming Kenny at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in September, which will mark his fifth attempt at four-star level.

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Badminton Sunday

Dee was very pleased with three fences down on the final day of Badminton Horse Trials 2009

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Badminton Saturday

A delighted Dee completed the cross-country clear with a few times faults

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Badminton Friday

Dee was very pleased with Big El’s dressage performance and walks the cross-country for the third time.

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Badminton Thursday

Dee prepares Big El for his dressage and fits in a bit of shopping at the trade stands

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Packed and ready

Dee reports on her final preparations for Badminton

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A week of very mixed emotions

Dee is looking forward to Badminton, but was rocked by the news of Ian Olding’s death at Belton

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What to wear at the Badminton trot-up?

Big El continues to work well, while Dee Kennedy considers her footwear for the trot-up

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Good day at Burnham Market

Badminton Horse Trials entrant Dee Kennedy is impressed with Big El in the three-star at Burnham Market

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First advanced run of 2009

Dee Kennedy and Big El tackle the advanced course at Weston Park as part of their Badminton preparation

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We are in at Badminton!

The waiting is over… entries have closed for Badminton and to our delight, Big El (“Eliot”) and I are in!

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Big El does his first event

Big El was a true pleasure around the cross-country. He is so easy and he reminded me why I love him after the other two phases…

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Youngsters’ first event

Friday was our first eventing outing of the year — the BE100 at Stafford — and it didn’t go entirely without problems…

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Big El is on track

On Thursday Big El had his first “away from home canter” and this was a really great sweetener as he loved it and worked very well. He went beautifully on the flat the next day, making me think I should canter him more often…

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Plans for the eventing season

Hi, I’m Dee Kennedy and I’ll be writing every week in the build-up to Badminton. I thought this week I would start my blog by introducing myself and telling you a bit about my eventing career so far…

• Read Dee Kennedy’s first blog

Listen to all of Dee’s audio blogs

I’ve just completed my show jumping round, which went very well. We had three down but we have had several more than that at previous three-day events, so I was delighted with the way he jumped. He felt really fresh and springy.

The ground was great, it was nice and spongy and he jumped really well so I am absolutely delighted to have completed Badminton for the first time, after not having such a good time last year!

This morning he trotted up really well, which was great. I wore my Jimmy Choos again and got several comments from the crowd and a big clap which I think is quite fun, whether the ground jury appreciate it or not! Elliot trotted very well. He was lifted by the atmosphere of the clapping from Polly [Stockton], who I followed in the trot up. He trotted really well, ears pricked and we were all delighted and we got the ‘accepted’ very quickly.

Then we jumped on and brought him up to the collecting ring to get the canter back to a shorter show jumping canter after all the galloping and lengthening yesterday. I watched several rounds before getting back on for a final jump before our round. He felt still fresh and fantastic. I’m absolutely delighted with how he has gone, and completing Badminton.

Badminton final scores

Our plans for the future have changed slightly. We had it in the back of ours minds that this might be his last four-star as he is now 18, but having completed the way he has, we are now looking to go to Burghley and then fingers crossed he will do another year. Having finished as well as he has, I don’t see why he won’t be able to.

Thank you very much for taking an interest into my blog in the lead up to Badminton, and listening to my blog while we have been here at Badminton. It has been very enjoyable for me; I hope it has been you for.

Dee

Listen to all of Dee’s audio blogs

Listen to Dee’s blog

Firstly thank you all for listening in to my blog here on Horseandhound.co.uk. It’s Saturday and I’ve just finished the cross-country and I’m very excited as we went clear. A few time faults but better to be home safe and sound!

This morning I woke up thinking ‘oh my goodness, why do I do this? I feel terribly sick’. I think that’s quite normal for riders and if I didn’t feel nervous I’d worry what was wrong with me. I got up and went for a nice positive final course walk and I was really happy with all my lines and the fences.

Then I was really looking forward to getting on Elliot (Big El). It’s always nice to take your horse for a bit of a canter and let them see the crowds, because the crowds arrive really early so than it’s not a shock when they come out for their cross-country round. It’s nice to get on your horse and just feel comfortable in your jumping saddle and think ‘oh wow, I’m sat on a horse I love, know’.

So I took him for a bit of a canter and he came back really exuberant because the Shetland Grand National was going on as I was coming back and there was loads of applause and he thought it was brilliant and all for him!

Badminton final scores

Then we let him have a nice quiet morning. We came up to watch the screens that are provided for the riders. I watched William’s round and watching him as the first rider out on the course really filled me with confidence. I know I’m not William, but watching him ride round really positively and it rode really well, and then I watched several more and they made it look like a nice flowing course.

I think the designers have done a really good job of the course here. It hasn’t caused too many problems and from the sport’s point of view, it’s been a good picture. There hasn’t been anything awful or sad happen, but it has caused a few problems so it hasn’t been a walk in the park, and it’s certainly been enjoyable to watch for the audience.

I loved my round. He was brilliant! It was a really good galloping course. The horse and riders that rode positively had a good ride and I certainly had that in my game plan, and it seemed to work. He had a few moments where he switched off a little bit, but I gave him a little reminder if he gave me a dodgy jump but there weren’t many and I was delighted with him.

He slipped a little bit in Huntsman’s Close to the gate, which I know has caused a lot of problems in the past, but I hunt a lot so it didn’t worry me. A number of people have asked me about it, because his back end went from under me, but I just picked him up, and he picked himself up, and it was fine.

Then it was on to the dreaded quarry, where I had my spectacular fall last year. It is quite a good long stretch up hill from Huntsman’s to the quarry on a horse that is starting to tire — he still felt great but was starting to feel it. I just did my best to get him back and had a great ride through the quarry. It was good to get that one out of the way!

When I passed through the finish line I was ecstatic, and everyone who was with me was ecstatic. The horse finished great, recovered great and looked on top of the world. He was real perky and looking around when he finished. We will let him rest now and do what we need to be ready for the trot up. I didn’t have any moments on the course where I think he damaged himself or has any reason to be sore for tomorrow so that’s a good thing.

So that’s it from me today. I’ll look forward to speaking to you all tomorrow after the dreaded trot-up and show jumping!

Horse & Hound has a new crush. We were chatting in the press room, attention slightly off the pace, when H&H’s eventing editor, Pippa, pointed out reprovingly that “this is a really good test”.

Heads swivelled to the telly, where Italian rider Roberto Rotatori was packing in the eights on Irham De Viages. He parachuted in to second place at this stage with a mark of 43.7. We bolted out of the press office and down to the collecting ring to interview him.

It’s just great when someone unexpected does really well – 90% of the time we are interviewing people who we know riding horses we have all heard lots about before, and it’s hard to find something new.

Forty-one-year-old Roberto Rotatori (great name) was thrilled with his horse’s performance but, unlike we ignoramuses (ignorami?) he wasn’t surprised.

“I’m not a great dressage rider, but this horse is a machine,” he said modestly.

Badminton final scores

Riders usually say they are looking forward to the cross-country, even if it scares them rigid, but Roberto really can’t wait.

“I’ve been here about 10 times to watch but this is my first Badminton as a rider, and I’m so excited about it,” he said. “My horse loves cross-country and is very clever. When I ride him, it feels like a pre-novice [he’s obviously not quite up to speed on BE100], not a four-star. The course is big but beautiful.”

The pair jumped clear in Beijing last year – how brilliant if they ended up in the top 10, or as the best first-timers. I know I’ll be cheering for him.

Now to more crucial matters. H&H diarist Dee Kennedy (pictured) showed me a picture on her phone at the cocktail party last night of her Jimmy Choos, which she wore to the trot-up. Totally covetable and gorgeous, but how on earth does she run in them? And aren’t they wrecked afterwards? Will she have a different pair for the second horse inspection on Sunday? What if a heel snaps – will she keep running on two different levels, or kick both off? We need to know…

Check later for a report of the second day of dressage.

Don’t forget to buy H&H next week (14 May) — our 15-page Badminton report will include comments from Carl Hester, Mark Todd and Tina Cook, plus cross-country course analysis and plenty of colour photographs.

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

Listen to Dee’s audio blogs here

Friday

I’ve just done my dressage test, which I was delighted with. There were a few little mistakes, but as a whole I was really pleased and the score was good so I can’t complain at all.

This morning we got up and rode him quite early on. I rode him for about 40mins and he worked well, then we put him away and gave him a pick of grass. Then I rode him again and went through the test and put him away again. Then I got myself changed — I had a good hour to get changed which was good as there was no rushing.

Then we went up to warm up for the actual test and again he worked well even though it is windy, so it’s difficult conditions, and very noisy with everything rattling.

Badminton final scores

When it came to the test I was absolutely delighted with him. He went into the arena and, instead of tensing up and becoming small because of the crowds, he went in and grew with presence. That put a smile on my face straight away and filled me with confidence to ride a really positive forward test. We did have a few little mistakes but as a whole I’m delighted.

I’ve now adorned my wellies for course walk number 3. Hopefully we are going to walk it today and be pretty positive about where we are going and then I’ll have one finally course walk tomorrow — course walk number 4, it keeps you fit! Obviously you need to know all your options so you’ve got to think of worse case senarios, but on the whole it will be a positive walk.

Then I’ll watch as much as I can on the screens and go out and watch a couple of the more tricky fences such as the coffin, the flowerbeds, perhaps Huntsman’s Close and the Lake, which is nice and close. Then it’s time to get on and kick on!

In the morning after doing my coursewalk, I’ll jump on and take him for a nice little canter and just let his wind open up. I’ll aim for a really nice and relaxed canter to let him think he’s on top of the world and give him lots of pats.

Then I’ll put him away and he’ll have some time to relax and we will try to keep away from him as much as possible. He has had a lot of attention today with us plaiting and everything — he is probably utterly fed up with us, he has seen us all morning and all afternoon.

I’ll get on him about 45mins before I’m due to set off. I’ll have a little canter and a jump and then come up into the main collecting ring about 10mins before. I’ll probably hope off (and pop to the toilet!) grease him up and then away we go!

Wish us luck…

Thursday

I’ve ridden Elliot this morning. He went really well, I’m very very pleased with him. He seems to be taking the atmosphere in his stride; and so do I, surprisingly, but doing dressage on Friday does give you a chance to relax a little bit of Thursday.

I’ve have just been shopping, but I haven’t bought anything yet for myself. I saw some nice things, but I must behave myself!

When I rode earlier I concentrated on only working for short bursts, so we do a bit of work, then I give him a long rein. That seems to work to keep him relaxed. We are working on the individual movements, rather than stringing the whole test together at the moment.

I’m pleased with the way he is going. He has been doing the movements required in this test for several years now so because he isn’t having to learn anything new it’s helping him to relax.

Looking ahead to the cross-country, I’m starting to feel the twang of nerves hitting me. I go through the fences one at a time in my head and so far I’ve got to about fence 6. I think the course is going to cause problems everywhere. I’m not quite sure which my bogey fences are yet, but after this next walk I think I will have a clearer idea. I’m really looking forward to walking the course with Lucinda Green at 3pm.

Tomorrow we will get up and ride in the morning. We will try to emulate exactly what we will do in the afternoon. He’ll probably have a little lunge and then I’ll jump on and do a few warm up exercises, before running through the test.

Last year he was very very bright so I had to do a lot before the dressage — I think I ended up riding him 7 times on the Thursday but I was last to go on the Thursday afternoon. I don’t think we will need to do that this year. He was very relaxed at his last dressage at Burnham Market, if anything a little too relaxed!

We will ride him early enough that if we have to ride him a couple of times before his test we can. I’ll aim not to ride him for too long before going in the arena. I want to still have some jump, rather than having a flat horse, when we get in the arena. Elliot is the sort who could very easily get stage fright, which can make him tense. Obviously it’s going to be maximum crowds with it being Friday dressage, probably around the middle of the day. Let’s hope quite a few people are out having their lunch!

I’m aware that the dressage isn’t his strongest phase but he is definitely improving and is going the best he has ever gone. I’m a realist and I’m just aiming to do the best test we have done so far. I would be pleased with a low 50s. Last year he got a 54 so it would be nice to go slighter better than that.

Well that’s it for today. Log on for my next update tomorrow.

Dee

Dee Kennedy talks about her Badminton Horse Trials experience. Listen to the podcasts below or click the links to read what she had to say.

Sunday: show jumping day

Read a text version of Dee’s blog

Saturday: cross-country day

Badminton final scores

Read a text version of Dee’s blog

Friday: dressage day 2

Read a text version of Dee’s blog

Thursday: dressage day 1

Read a text version of Dee’s blog

Wednesday: trot-up

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 few last words before we set off…

The lorry is packed, the shoes are bought!

It always amazes me just how long it takes to pack the lorry for a three-day, even though i am well aware of it from previous experience. But it is done now and it all looks very tidy and organised.

Eliot’s (Big El) last canter went really well, so I am confident he is peaking just at the right time. Also the last jump this morning went well, so that’s another positive note to leave home on…

Badminton final scores

So the excitement and nerves are now about to become a reality and I keep feeling like I need to pinch myself as I am about to leave home to go to the “biggest” three-day event in the world. What an honour.

I’ll be in touch from the event…

Dee

From Wednesday, Dee will be doing a daily audio diary at Badminton. Don’t worry if you don’t have facilities to listen in — there will be a written summary too. Go to www.horseandhound.co.uk/badminton2009 for all H&H’s online Badminton coverage.

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

Another week closer to Badminton and time feels like it is flying by far too fast.

I have had a week of very mixed emotions, excitement, nerves and deep sadness.

I found out my number for Badminton early in the week, which is 86. Last year I was right in the middle, doing my dressage last on Thursday afternoon and at Burghley both times I have been right in the middle too, so have done my dressage late on the Thursday.

This year will be different though, Friday dressage and I predict around lunchtime. So there will be maximum crowds and much more atmosphere so Eliot (Big El) had best remember that he has done it all before and there is no need to get stage fright! And that applies to me too, for that matter.

On cross-country day I will be waiting a lot longer for my turn, so this will mean longer for the nerves to kick in. However, on the plus side it will give me more time to watch the fences ridden and when others make them look easy it will give me confidence!

Badminton final scores

We had another lesson with Tuffy Tilley last week, which was a gruelling session again. Eliot also cantered twice and feels absolutely fantastic, which is very confidence building. He had his blood tested to check all is ok and, touch wood, it is. And he is still being a sweetie on the flat — thank you Eliot!

A sad weekend at Belton

We went to Belton and didn’t have the best of weekends. Kenny (Chequers Playboy) came off the lorry to do his dressage in the seven- and eight-year-old intermediate class and was in a rather bright and sensitive mood. The test was in the main arena and so I don’t think the atmosphere helped my cause.

He did manage to claim a few 8s and 9s, but unfortunately he also ruined a few moves through exuberance. Lesson learnt — Kenny is a little too fit! And this was proved once again in the show jumping, which didn’t go according to plan due to lack of concentration. Having notched up 20 penalties in this phase, I made a decision not to run cross-country.

I didn’t take Eliot as he had run well in his previous outings and it being so close to Badminton we decided to leave him at home. It was one of those events that I had to enter, just in case I hadn’t managed to have the other runs due to one thing or another, but this year the start of the season went according to plan as we had no snow in April or flash floods in March.

Then we heard the very, very sad news that Ian Olding had lost his life in a fall at Belton. This is such tragic news — Ian was a fantastic person and he always made you laugh uncontrollably. He always said what he thought, which made him so very genuine — this seems so rare nowadays. He will be hugely missed by so many.

The plan from here

I’ll be doing one more written diary early next week. Then from Wednesday I’ll be doing a daily audio diary at Badminton, so you’ll be able to hear how I’m getting on straight from the rider’s mouth. Don’t worry if you don’t have facilities to listen in though — someone at H&H has promised to sort out a written summary too.

Dee

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

Eliot (Big El) recovered well from his trip to Burnham Market and enjoyed a day in the field on Sunday.

We had Easter Sunday dinner with several fellow competitors in Shropshire. We were well entertained and well fed!

Monday was work as usual — I worked the horses in the morning and spent the afternoon cleaning the lorry. After the rain at Burnham this was a much needed job.

On Wednesday Eliot enjoyed a canter at Kelsall Equestrian Centre, which again went very well. On Thursday we did flatwork. He is being very well behaved and he seems to be enjoying his work, which is making my life much easier.

Friday was devoted to a trip to Tuffy Tilley’s for a jumping lesson. Tuffy has been helping me for roughly eight years and she has taught me a lot. She is a real task master so she put the pressure on me and the horse and no stone was left unturned. I was not able to get away with anything.

Badminton final scores

On Sunday we were at Kelsall, our most local event as it is only five minutes away. I had Precious Z and Chequers Supertar doing a BE100. Both had best-to-date dressage marks and were very well behaved. Star jumped a fab clear show jumping and Precious just tapped a pole which was very unlucky.

The cross-country was mixed emotions time. They both felt the best they have yet — focused, very straight and a pleasure to ride… except they both had a little blip at the water. Star stopped on the way in, shocked that he saw the water last minute, and Precious was so bold through the water that I flew past the fence on the way out.

I kicked myself as Star was on for a win and Precious a high place in her section. Horses! Although I was cross, I did come away with positive feelings because without the blips they went the best they have gone, although it doesn’t look it on paper. I can look forward to their next outing.

We are at Belton next weekend, which has a beautiful setting and is one of the “big occasion” events.

Another issue that does need addressing is the outfit for the trot-up at Badminton and some special footwear, will it be the Jimmy Choos? Or maybe this time some Blahniks are needed! Pictured are mine and Eliot’s feet at the Burghley trot-up last year…

Dee

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

Last week flew by as we were taking the same three horses that we ran at Weston Park on the Sunday to Burnham Market.

We had a few days at home to put in some practice and a chance to pack the lorry for the weekend. Our new girl groom had a trial run at packing the lorry for a trip away and even though it was only three days, she realised it is harder than it sounds!

We left on Thursday and the six-hour long journey is never an easy one. We arrived by four o’clock and gave the horses some flatwork before supper, which was Mexican-themed: fajitas. We then had a chance to socialize.

We had a busy morning the next day. I was out on the dressage field to work Eliot (my Badminton horse, Big El). We had the field to ourselves (shared only with a barn owl) on a lovely morning, which helped him to settle into his work quickly.

I then walked the intermediate course before I did my dressage test on Eliot. This week we were doing the three-star B test, again a new test which flowed well. Eliot surprised me in the arena as he remained settled through the whole test. This was a very pleasant surprise, but I should really have been a little braver and ridden for the extra sparkle. I’m so used to him being very bright I stuck with the safe option of sitting sweetly.

Badminton final scores

I then jumped off Eliot and onto Kenny (Chequers Playboy). He was a very good boy through his test — he does seem to enjoy being watched!

I was really pleased with the way he jumped in the show jumping. We were very unlucky to have the planks down as he just went a little green and had a spook at them, otherwise he wasn’t touching a thing.

His second cross-country ride round an intermediate was again a fantastic feeling. He was very accurate on all our lines and brave into the waters and brilliant at the corner — I love riding him!

‘He made it feel easy’

After lunch we had a walk around the CIC*** course. First impressions seemed good and positive. Only the turning corners coming out of the quarry and the bounce into water left me pondering until our second course walk the next morning, when final lines and approaches need to be settled on.

As a whole round, Eliot’s show jumping was a lot better, although again three poles fell, which is slightly demoralizing. But I am sticking to the game plan and am hopeful this will fall into place at the right time!

He was once again a dream round the cross-country (pictured) and made it all feel very, easy. He was fantastic through the quarry which was my major concern — this consisted of a log sat on the edge of a very steep drop, then up the other side and out over a corner, and then a tight turn on sloping ground to another corner.

Having watched several horses earlier in the day, who made it look like the long route was about the only possible option, I managed a good contained canter at the first corner which made the turn very easy to make.

He was also very good through the water, which had a bounce in and four strides to a skinny. This fence had also caused lot of problems so needed respect. He really seemed to enjoy himself again and he recovered extremely quickly.

Hayden also did the three-star on my little horse Fernhill Fearless. This was his first event at this level and he did a fantastic double clear — so again, it was smiles all round and we’re hoping for a very exciting future for this horse…

Next stop is Kelsall Hill with my younger two horses, Precious Z and Chequers Superstar.

Dee

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

Another week closer to Badminton and it’s been a busy one leading up to Weston Park Horse Trials.

“Eliot” (Big El) had a canter on Tuesday, which my fiancé Hayden had the pleasure of doing as I was busy teaching. He loved that.

On Wednesday we had a trip to see Hayden’s grandfather, Mark Chambers or “Grampas”. He is a character that you don’t come across too often. He is a true horseman, having sold a huge number of horses in his lifetime, and to the likes of Ted Edgar and Marion Mould, to whom he sold the successful Daddy’s Girl.

The Area 18 show used to be held at “Grampa”, so we got to benefit from his array of fences. It’s a great exercise to jump a set of fences away from home and on grass — and of course it’s helpful to get a few tips from the maestro.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday were devoted to concentrating on the flatwork. As I was in the section which used the four-star dressage test at Weston Park, this gave me chance to get the Badminton test into my head. It’s a new test for this year and although we now have to do five loop serpentines, the test has all the usual movements, just in a different sequence. It all flows very nicely and fortunately there are no tempi changes in sight, as has been threatened for eventers.

Badminton final scores

Chequers Playboy’s first intermediate

Sunday arrived and we had an early start as I needed to walk the intermediate course first thing. “Kenny” (Chequers Playboy) was doing his first Intermediate. The dressage went well, although we were slightly hampered by the cross-country starting as I went down the centre line, which he couldn’t help but notice, so this added a little tension to the test.

I was delighted with his show jumping round. He just rolled a pole, but it was really unlucky that it fell, as he was jumping well.

The cross-country was a pleasure. There was a very strong question at fence four, two large skinnies on a turn from a downhill approach. He was very good here and never moved off the line. Then came a sunken road, which rode well, and at fence seven there were more skinnies on a turn, which again he was very good through.

The next question came at fence 9, which was a skinny on a turning line to a trakehner, then a long one stride to another skinny. On a more experienced horse I would have angled the first skinny to get on a line to the next two elements, but I felt this was a strong question for a young horse and something he wouldn’t have come across before. So a popped in over the skinny and the lesser speed made it easier to turn for the line to the next two elements and it worked a treat.

He was fantastic into the water and at the corner and this left us crossing the finish line with a big smile and lots of pats!

Top hat and tails time

I then jumped off Kenny and adorned my top hat and tails for the first time this season, ready for the advanced dressage test. Eliot was remarkable composed, considering we had to go right through the cross-country to get to the dressage. He managed to contain himself well in the test up until the walk, at which point he just finds it very difficult to keep the tension at bay. Still, I was pleased with him for this point in the season.

He show jumped well over a big track that was causing trouble. A few poles met the floor, but on the whole he jumped a lot better than last time out.

We both enjoyed the cross-country immensely. Fence four was a serious question, a picnic table followed by four strides to a diamond-shaped brush fence, which formed a corner on either the left side or the right, with a very large carved owl strategically placed in the middle. I opted for the right side and he never strayed from the line.

There were four corners in total on the course, which made for good practice. Eliot felt great fitness-wise and he recovered very quickly afterwards.

Hayden also enjoyed an amazing ride round the cross-country on Fernhill Fearless so once again we enjoyed the trip home.

We’re at Burnham Market this weekend, so I’ll be updating you on that next week.

Dee

Don’t forget to buy this week’s Horse & Hound (out today, 9 April) for a full report from Weston Park.

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The waiting is over… entries have closed for Badminton and to our delight, Big El (“Eliot”) and I are in.

Entering Badminton is very exciting in itself, but finding out whether your entry is “in” or whether you have been balloted is nerve-racking. So it is a great relief to see your name on the “in” list — big smiles.

Eliot continued his cantering at Kelsall Hill this week, which we can now say “is in preparation for Badminton”! He has also had a few loose jumping sessions which we find is useful, as you need a horse jump fit as well as able to gallop. And of course we continue the flatwork as this is the foundations of it all.

Thursday was an early start to go to Draycott for the second outing of the year with my two young horses and we had a very pleasing day. They were both in the BE100 and were very well behaved, taking the whole experience in their stride as if they have had a seasons worth of events.

Precious Z was a sweetie in the dressage and then jumped a lovely clear in the show jumping. She gave me a super ride cross-country. She was listening and focused and in a lovely rhythm — if only they could all take to the sport so easily.

Badminton final scores

Chequers Superstar was also pleasing in the dressage. He was unfortunate to have to jump in the hail and gusting wind, which was very unpleasant for a young horse. However, he was unfazed and just toppled a pole, as the fences were blowing down around us. He was a true gentleman around the cross-country — he’s so very easy, the pace is all up to you and you feel safe.

We were at home for the weekend which is rare. We had a good start on Saturday and worked the horses, then made our way to the Cheshire hunt point-to-point, which was a very jolly occasion. On Sunday we made the most of a day at home, doing some jobs around the house and another favourite Sunday dinner!

Until next time,

Dee

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Well, the weeks go by so quickly….

An exciting package arrived from Italy last Wednesday, a smart new tack locker for taking to competitions. This looks like a really good asset — as long as there are a few of you to get it up the ramp.

We had an early start on Saturday morning for the trip to Lincolnshire. I competed Chequers Playboy in an open novice section. He was a good boy in the dressage and jumped very well in the show jumping, but unfortunately we had two down, which to be honest were my fault as I forgot that lovely deep spots require leg. I’m putting it down to first event nerves. I was really impressed on the cross-country — he felt a year older and gave me a beautiful ride round.

Saturday night was fun as we were entertaining for 10 in the lorry. I had been very organised and made two big lasagnas which were well received. We had some unexpected entertainment, but I can’t really go into that as I need to save someone a red face…

My Badminton horse, Big El (“Eliot”), did his usual rendition of a dressage test in the open intermediate at Lincoln — I really do think that maybe he could have a chat with Christopher Bartle and see if he could put some of his moves in the test, then we would lead by miles!

Badminton final scores

The show jumping was awful. Over the first three fences, I came in a lovely quiet rhythm with a lovely stride and we hit them. So I changed gear and the rest of the round went really well. Lesson learnt!

Eliot was a true pleasure around the cross-country. He is so easy and he reminded me why I love him after the other two phases.

After I had jumped off from my cross-country round I ran over to see my horse, Fernhill Fearless, who my fiance Hayden has the pleasure of riding. He did a “fancy toes” dressage test and jumped a springy show jumping round, then cruised round the cross-country in a very stylish fashiont to finish seventh. We were very pleased with him, which made our trip home a long but cheery one. Goodbye Lincoln for another year — and I shouldn’t forget to mention we were blessed with sunshine, which was a very welcome surprise.

Next stop Draycott…

Dee

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Well, a busy week to report.

On Wednesday we went to Somerford Park Farm, near Holmes Chapel, with a lorry full of the youngsters, as they had put on a pre-season show jumping competition. All the horses jumped well, even though they had some new very scary fillers, nasty pigs and big bright rosettes.

We then took them down to the cross-country schooling field, which is an excellent facility to have so close to home as there is a 50 acre field with the whole variety of cross-country fences. Play time! They all enjoyed themselves.

Friday was our first eventing outing of the year — the BE100 at Stafford — and it didn’t go entirely without problems. Both Chequers Superstar (“Star”) and Precious Z (“Precious”) were very good in the dressage. For their first time, I tried to make it as enjoyable as possible, to help introduce the dressage as a stress- and tension-free exercise. Then they both jumped well over a very bright and dressed show jumping course, with just one pole down apiece.

Badminton final scores

Both were a little green on the cross-country, with a few teething problems for me to iron out before their next run. Precious needed to have an extra look at a few fences — she got to the end of the course but was actually eliminated for accumulated refusals. Star just had one stop at the water. The fence here involved jumping a crocodile and then one stride and down into the water, which I thought was strong for BE100 level. Both these two head to Draycott next week.

Badminton entries close tomorrow, and I sent in mine last week. On Saturday Big El (“Eliot”) had a good interval canter at home, followed by a hilly hack. Monday was his chance to have a play round the cross-country schooling, which he loved.

We go to Lincoln next, this weekend. I’m taking Chequers Playboy in the open novice and Eliot runs in the open intermediate. I’m looking forward to it — I just hope it’s not too windy.

Dee

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Wow, a week goes by quickly.

We went show jumping on Wednesday, and, although Big El (“Eliot”) didn’t go, my two youngsters did. Chequers Superstar won a class and Precious Z had a double clear so we had a good day.

On Thursday Eliot had his first “away from home canter” and this was a really great sweetener as he loved it and worked very well. We are really lucky to be sponsored by Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre, which boasts excellent cantering facilities with miles of undulating grassland to play with and a very serious hill.

He went beautifully on the flat the next day after cantering, making me think I should canter him more often.

Saturday was a jumping day and everything did jumping exercises at home. Eliot jumped surprisingly well, which put a big smile on my face.

Badminton final scores

I was able to enjoy a rare day off on Sunday, which included my favourite meal, a Sunday dinner and a sit down with the telly on and a fire lit.

I’m off to Stafford at the end of this week with a couple of youngsters, so I’ll be able to report on my first horse trials of the season next week.

Until then,

Dee

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Dee Kennedy’s blog: packed and ready

Dee reports on her final preparations for Badminton

• Read Dee Kennedy’s latest blog

Dee Kennedy’s blog: a week of very mixed emotions

Dee is looking forward to Badminton, but was rocked by the news of Ian Olding’s death at Belton

• Read Dee Kennedy’s latest blog

Charlotte Platt: being bucked off and first 2009 foal

Charlotte’s young horse are feeling a little too fit and well at the moment and she is excited about the arrival of their first foal of 2009

• Read Charlotte Platt’s latest blog

Charlie Hutton: Addington international

Charlie’s horses show the reverse of their expected form at Addington international

• Read Charlie Hutton’s latest blog

Dee Kennedy: what to wear at the Badminton trot-up?

Big El continues to work well, while Dee Kennedy considers her footwear for the trot-up

• Read Dee Kennedy’s latest blog

Charlie Hutton: Winter dressage champs

Charlie was pleased with how his horses went at the winter dressage championships at Hartpury

• Read Charlie Hutton’s latest blog

Dee Kennedy: Good day at Burnham Market

Badminton Horse Trials entrant Dee Kennedy is impressed with Big El in the three-star at Burnham Market

• Read Dee Kennedy’s latest blog

Dee Kennedy: first advanced run of 2009

Dee Kennedy and Big El tackle the advanced course at Weston Park as part of their Badminton preparation

• Read Dee Kennedy’s latest blog

Charlotte Platt: Back to reality

Charlotte is back from Italy and enjoying the spring sunshine at home

• Read Charlotte Platt’s latest blog

Charlie Hutton: Training and fabulous physio

It’s been a busy week for Charlie with two days of World Class training and two days competing

• Read Charlie Hutton’s latest blog

Dee Kennedy: We are in at Badminton!

The waiting is over… entries have closed for Badminton and to our delight, Big El (“Eliot”) and I are in!

• Read Dee Kennedy’s latest blog

Charlotte Platt: hello from sunny Tuscany

I’m writing my first blog from sunny Tuscany, in Italy. I am here for three weeks on the Toscana tour. The horses are jumping well, although all the courses are 5cm bigger than it says in the schedule…

• Read Charlotte Platt’s latest blog

Dee Kennedy: Big El does his first event

Big El was a true pleasure around the cross-country. He is so easy and he reminded me why I love him after the other two phases…

• Read Dee Kennedy’s latest blog

Charlie Hutton: feeling a bit below par

I was fine on Monday, but then Tuesday night I threw up about five times and was sick for the next two days…

• Read Charlie Hutton’s latest blog

Dee Kennedy: youngsters’ first event

Friday was our first eventing outing of the year — the BE100 at Stafford — and it didn’t go entirely without problems…

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Charlie Hutton: a new challenge

This week eventer Lucy Wiegersma brought one of her advanced horses, Porloe Alvin, to Talland for me to ride for three weeks…

• Read Charlie Hutton’s latest blog

Dee Kennedy: Big El is on track

On Thursday Big El had his first “away from home canter” and this was a really great sweetener as he loved it and worked very well. He went beautifully on the flat the next day, making me think I should canter him more often…

• Read Dee Kennedy’s blog

Charlie Hutton: success at Burrows Court

I went out competing on Thursday at Burrows Court, not far from us in Gloucestershire. I took my sister Pippa’s ride, Belmondo, as well as my own home-bred mare Amo…

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Dee Kennedy: plans for the eventing season

Hi, I’m Dee Kennedy and I’ll be writing every week in the build-up to Badminton. I thought this week I would start my blog by introducing myself and telling you a bit about my eventing career so far…

• Read Dee Kennedy’s first blog

Charlie Hutton: Life at Talland

Welcome to my first weekly blog for Horse&Hound. I thought I’d start by letting you know a little about my day-to-day life. I’m generally on the yard at my family’s Talland School of Equitation in Gloucestershire by half seven, and try to get 8 horses ridden by half one…

• Read Charlie Hutton’s first blog

Hi, I’m Dee Kennedy and I’ll be writing every week in the build-up to Badminton. I thought this week I would start my blog by introducing myself and telling you a bit about my eventing career so far.

I’m 31 years old and live in Cheshire with my partner Hayden Hankey, to whom I am engaged, and my son Jack, who is 7 years old.

We have a lovely farmhouse that stands in 10 acres, with 15 stables and a 35x65m manège with an excellent Andrews Bowen surface. We also have a loose jumping arena and have just developed a cross-country schooling paddock, including a water jump.

I have only been eventing since 2000 and I started with Big El, whom I bought as an 8-year-old. He had never evented before and was found for me by Peter Mellor from Yorkshire and successful Irish-based event horse dealer Carol Gee.

I have taken him from pre-novice through to four-star, with some of our more memorable achievements being two Burghley completions, finishing 21st last year (pictured). That was really exciting as it came only 6 weeks after my return to riding — I’d been recovering from a fractured neck that I unfortunately sustained in a fall at fence 3, The Quarry, on my first trip to Badminton last year.

Badminton final scores

Before that, Big El was successful at three-star level, finishing well at Bramham, Blenheim and Boekelo. In terms of public recognition, a great result was finishing second at the British intermediate championships at the beautiful Gatcombe Park in 2005.

For this season we shall start at Lincoln, Weston Park, Burnham Market and Belton. Fingers crossed it will all go to plan, as the start of the season is very important for horse and rider confidence.

I also have the 7-year-old Chequers Playboy, on whom I won a one-star at Aldon at the end of last season. I am hopeful of an exciting career for him — he is an elegant mover, bold cross-country and a good jumper with acres of scope.

In addition, I’m looking forward to starting competing next week on a very pretty 5-year-old mare by Poorboy, called Precious Z. And I also have the ride on a 6-year-old Irish horse, Chequers Superstar, who I have been hunting for two seasons. He has an excellent technique and is very careful and clever across country. They are both running in a pre-novice [BE100] at Stafford.

I am excited about Badminton this year and look forward to the feeling of being more familiar with the surroundings, which will help with the nerves! For the time being I am just enjoying the preparation and how well my horse has come back into work for this season.

Until next week,

Dee

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