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‘The horse bred to happy hack has gone and won two five-stars’: delight as British rider tops Luhmühlen podium

Becky Murray — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 12:25:04 +0000

Britain’s Caroline Harris and D. Day are double five-star winners after they topped the Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials results today (21 June).

“My god, that horse is just something else. He gives me 1,000% every time, and I can’t ask for anything more of him,” said an emotional Caroline.

Caroline and the 12-year-old, who she owns with Lucy Matthews, Fiona Olivier, Marie Anne Richardson and Heather Royle, had just 2.7 penalties in hand going into the showjumping, and the clock was proving tight for some, but the Billy Mexico gelding produced a faultless round.

“I just trust him implicitly,” said Caroline. “I know he’s going to try and never want to touch a fence. He will give me everything. I just try to focus on getting a good canter, keeping the rhythm and not thinking about winning.

“Like in cross-country, you can ride him very quick and he likes it. The tighter the time, the better for me, because I know that he’s good with that.

“He loves the crowd so when everyone starts clapping, it’s great for him because he thinks: ‘Oh everyone’s here to watch me’, so it was great to come in after Emily [King] had jumped so well.”

Caroline and D. Day are now double five-star champions having topped Pau in 2024.

“The little horse that was bred to be a happy hack has gone and won two five-stars. I never thought this horse was a five-star horse, so I take that back,” said Caroline.

“He’s just all heart. He’s not the most talented, but he gives you absolutely everything. And that’s more than you could ever want.”

Caroline said despite her success she still doubts herself – and she would tell her younger self to “keep going and be determined”.

“I still doubt myself every day. It’s quite nice to prove that Pau wasn’t a fluke,” she said.

“I’ve worked very, very hard – and taken a lot to keep believing, but we got there eventually.”

Five-star Luhmühlen Horse Trials results: podium places

Emily King and 17-year-old Valmy Biats, owned by Emily and her father David, kept the pressure on Caroline and D. Day when they showjumped clear to finish second.

“He’s incredible. On paper he’s a little bit older but my goodness, he feels like he’s seven,” said Emily.

“The whole team; our vet Liz, physio Vicky, the trainers, every year they’re saying: ‘He feels better and better and younger and younger’. He’s like a Benjamin Button story; he’s getting younger and feeling better.”

Emily King and Valmy Biats finish second in the five-star Luhmühlen Horse Trials. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Emily said it’s Valmy’s “grit” that makes him so special.

“He fights for you every day, and his heart’s incredible,” she said.

“He loves his job. He’s obviously a super athlete in his physique, but he gets up every morning and he wants to work. In those tough moments in each phase, he grits his teeth and gives you more.

“You never feel ‘This is getting a bit hard’, he just keeps fighting, it’s an honour to work with horses like that. Today he kept the rideability and had so much energy, he was on springs.”

Boyd Martin finishes third

Completing the podium was US rider Boyd Martin and Shanroe Cooley, owned by Dallas LLC. They completed on 38.1 at the 11-year-old’s first-five star, having posted a superb double clear with just 2.4 cross-country time-penalties yesterday.

“I’m very pleased,” said Boyd, who took on Shanroe from Liz Halliday following her accident.

“Obviously it’s huge effort to come all the way from America to Luhmühlen, I’m grateful to the owners and supporters and the coaches of Shanroe for giving it a whirl because it’s a massive project coming across the ocean.”

Boyd said he did not know what to expect of Shanroe at his first five-star.

“I’ve done one four-star long on him last year and he was pretty good, but then this year, he’s just been brilliant in all the lead-up events,” he said.

“Every time we’ve competed together we’ve started to click a little bit more, then to come to Luhmühlen and finish in the top three next to Caroline and Emily, he exceeded my expectations. I really didn’t know what to expect, whether he’d get through it or not, then to be on the podium, I’m very proud of the horse and thankful to the team around him.”

Boyd said competing in a five-star is “a bit like running a marathon”.

“There’s sort of part of you that just wants to finish, and then the other part is: ‘I want to try to win this thing’. There’s a huge difference in how you ride or how hard you push if you’re trying to be competitive,” he explained.

“I was sort of in two minds whether we should just try and get across the finish line, but then once he started off yesterday, I thought, ‘Oh, screw it. Let’s have a crack at it’.

“He really showed me that championship heart that he has. To dig deep all the way around, and then to come out today and jump a clear round, I’m just absolutely thrilled with him.”

Five-star Luhmühlen Horse Trials results: top five

Jonelle Price and David and Karie Thomson’s 14-year-old gelding Capitaine De Hus Z finished fourth, and two poles dropped Jonelle and the Grape Syndicate’s Grappa Nera down to eighth.

Hallie Coon and Kapriccio jumped clear for fifth. Britain’s Harry Horton posted a brilliant clear round, with two time-faults, to finish 10th with Ballinger Equine and the Ambition Syndicate’s Cooley With Ambition at their first five-star.

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‘I wanted to put everything right – I think we did today’: British rider finds redemption with phenomenal Luhmühlen five-star cross-country

Becky Murray — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:08:08 +0000

Britain’s Caroline Harris and D. Day are on the brink of a second five-star title after posting the fastest Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials cross-country round of the day.

Caroline and the 12-year-old Billy Mexico gelding rode the only clear inside the 11-minute optimum time – stopping the clock with 18 seconds to spare – to move from fourth after the dressage into the overnight lead.

Caroline told H&H she was “over the moon” with D. Day, owned by Lucy Matthews, Fiona Olivier, Marie Anne Richardson and Heather Royle, following the Luhmühlen Horse Trials five-star cross-country.

“He was incredible,” she said. “He’s pretty small, and I think it really helps on a course like this because he’s so nippy and easy to turn.

“He’s never strong and he comes back to me, he’s very polite to ride. His mum was full Thoroughbred, so he has got a lot of blood and really does gallop. He’s the easiest horse to go quick on.”

Cross-country course-designer Mike Etherington-Smith’s technical track gave the riders plenty to think about. Of the 20 cross-country starters, 15 completed and nine jumped clear with time-faults.

The second fastest round came from Frenchman Benjamin Massie with the 10-year-old Upsilon daughter Guess Star, who was a second over the optimum time, for overnight sixth.

“It definitely rode very, very intense – but to be fair, everything rode exactly how I walked it,” said Caroline.

“I think it’s probably one of the only rounds I’ve ever had where everything really did come up exactly how I wanted it to.”

On the whole, the course did not cause too many problems, but the Mesmer Pond – which included fences 11, 12ab, and 13ab – proved tricky for some. Five combinations had faults at the arrowhead at 12b, including world number one Tim Price, who parted ways from Happy Boy, when he ran out the side.

Caroline said this was one of the trickiest combinations on course.

“It walked a very long six or a short seven. It was really big, up to height and wide. I think if the horse wasn’t confident and committed, then it was just very easy to slip out and not jump it,” she said.

“From there all the way home, every single combination, there was lot. You had to really think your way around and I came into each combination thinking about what Dickie Waygood and Chris Bartle had told me to do.

“I think if you rode it exactly how you walked it, it rode really well. You just had to be on it the whole way.”

Caroline Harris: “I wanted to put everything right”

Caroline and D. Day already have a five-star title to their name, having won Pau in 2024 – but Caroline has not forgotten about her frustrating fall at the home Europeans last September.

“I did feel there was quite a lot of pressure on us [at Luhmühlen], everyone was talking about how we were the quickest in the field – and I messed up at Blenheim, so I really wanted to put everything right,” she said.

“I feel I truly did that today. He was just phenomenal from start to finish.

“He is the ultimate trier. There is nothing exceptional about him, he’s not the most big-moving horse, he wouldn’t be the scopiest, but he’s all heart and gives me 110% every single time. I couldn’t ask for more than that.”

Dressage leaders Emily King and Valmy Biats jumped clear in the Luhmühlen Horse Trials five-star cross-country with 6.8 time-faults, which saw them slip into provisional second. Emily was initially given nine penalties for a missed flag at the Sternpartner Water fence 20b, an arrowhead, but following review, these were removed.

“I’m super pleased with Valmy,” said Emily, who owns the 17-year-old with her father David.

“He’s an amazingly brave horse, which can sometimes make him a little bit hard to ride. I’ve fallen into that trap a few times around some bigger events, so I just wanted to think a little bit extra for him around the course.”

Emily had to give Valmy a bit more encouragement than usual as they navigated the 27 fences.

“I don’t know if it was the heat, but he was a little bit quieter today. This crazy lion that I’m usually trying to navigate around the course was not so ‘liony’,” said Emily.

“I suddenly had to start kicking and flapping, and basically had to adapt a bit. When you have your plan and the horses are exactly how they normally are and it just happens seamlessly, it’s the most amazing feeling – but it’s not always the case. It was a bit like that with Valmy today.”

Emily said overall Valmy was “super”.

“Maybe the strides and the approach wasn’t quite as I imagined with some of them, but he was so good on the fences,” she said.

“He was quick with his legs, really straight, jumped everything, and came through the finish super quick. I’m really pleased.”

Luhmühlen Horse Trials five-star cross-country: Boyd Martin holds third

US rider Boyd Martin and Shanroe Cooley, owned by Dallas LLC, climbed from 11th after the dressage to provisional third.

The four-time Olympian expertly piloted the 11-year-old gelding – a former ride of Liz Halliday – round his first-five star to come home just six seconds over the optimum time. They added 2.4 time-penalties to their scorecard to carry 38.1 into the showjumping.

“I’m thrilled with him,” said Boyd, who took on the ride following Liz’s accident.

“I was sort of on the fence about whether to take the horse on. He’s a bigger, heavier horse than what I usually go for, but Liz has done a magnificent job producing him. There’s not that many out there that have the grit and determination that Shanroe has.

“I really didn’t know what to expect here, we came wondering if he’s a five-star horse. We kept going through the track, and I was thinking to myself, ‘Hey, he’s feeling pretty good’. Then I was looking at my watch thinking, ‘We’re in this’.

“The last couple of minutes he started to tire a bit, but he just grit his teeth and pricked his ears. I’ve got so much admiration for these horses. They really are true competitors. He really fought hard for me.”

Boyd said he was “thrilled” for Shanroe and his owners.

“Most importantly I’m thrilled for Liz. This has been a horse with a crazy story and to have a successful round at five-star is a great accomplishment,” he said.

“I’ve got half of America texting my phone at the moment. He’s got a massive following, all of Liz’s students and fans and all of her owners are cheering this horse on. I think I’ve got to reply to about 400 text messages.”

Luhmühlen Horse Trials five-star cross-country: the rest of the top 10

Pathfinders Jonelle Price and the Grape Syndicate’s Grappa Nera lie in fourth, having collected 4.4 time-penalties across country. Jonelle is fifth with David and Karie Thomson’s Capitaine de Hus de Z, who stopped the clock on 11min 18 sec, for 7.2 time-penalties.

The Thomson’s have another horse in the top 10, Dallas 13, who was given a super run round his first five-star by James Avery. The pair were third after the dressage and lie ninth overnight on 46.6, having accrued 11-penalties for activating the MIM clip at the second part of the Luhmühlen Kombination (fence 22ab) plus six time-faults.

British-based US rider Hallie Coon and her own Kapriccio were another to activate the safety device at this fence, and along with 4.4 time-penalties, they go into the showjumping phase in seventh.

Home side rider Katharina Meyer and Aspen T were among the jumping clears. They stopped the clock on 11min 11sec to add 4.4 time-faults to their 41.4 dressage, for overnight eighth.

“Every inch the five-star horse”

Britain’s Harry Horton and Cooley With Ambition round out the top 10 having jumped a brilliant clear at their first five-star. Harry guided Ballinger Equine and the Ambition Syndicate’s 11-year-old home with 35.6 time-penalties.

“He was class. He was absolutely phenomenal,” Harry told H&H.

“The plan was to go all the direct routes, but he got a little tired so I improvised a little bit at the end and took the longer route at the last combination. He felt every inch the five-star horse.”

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‘The best he’s felt’: British rider on top at Luhmühlen five-star after dressage

Becky Murray — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 18:12:11 +0000

Emily King and Valmy Biats are bidding for their first five-star victory as they sit at the top of the leaderboard following the conclusion of the Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials dressage.

Emily and the 17-year-old Selle Francais gelding, who she owns with her father David, scored 27 to put them ahead of yesterday’s leaders Hallie Coon and Kapriccio, by 0.8 of a penalty.

“I feel very lucky. He’s such a sweetheart of a horse, I’ve had him for years now. I know him so well and he knows me so well,” said Emily.

“It’s a bit of a hindrance at times because he’s so finely tuned to me, he’s so rideable that he sometimes guesses what’s going to happen.”

Emily said Valmy Biats “felt super” in the arena.

“I’m so pleased we didn’t drop any marks. He’s a very hot, sensitive horse, and sometimes when I really go for it we have a few little mistakes,” she said.

“I maybe went a notch down with really showing off as I really wanted to have a clean test. I’m so glad that he stayed with me and I didn’t mess it up. When I went in the crowd gave an awesome cheer to welcome you, but with ones like Val who is a bit sensitive, I had to say ‘Good boy’, and gave him a bit longer before he went in.”

Emily King said she approached her Luhmühlen Horse Trials dressage warm-up differently owing to the warm weather in Germany.

“At about 7am this morning I gave him a good stretch, and I only gave him about 20 minutes [in the warm-up before the test] just to try and not do too much with him,” she said.

“It felt like the perfect balance. He felt the best he’s felt, so it was nice to be rewarded.”

New Zealand’s James Avery is third overnight on five-star first-timer Dallas 13. James has produced David and Karie Thomson’s 12-year-old Dimaggio gelding up the levels from a six-year-old. The pair come to Luhmühlen following a good run at Royal Jump, where they were 11th in the CCI4*-S.

“It’s his first five-star; he’s done three four-star longs now so he’s ready,” James told H&H.

“We had a fairly quiet last year due to me, not him, so we didn’t get much mileage in. He was pretty green off the back of last season, and as much as Badminton would have been awesome, we were a bit behind, so we chose to come here.”

James and Dallas scored 29.6 in the dressage.

“He’s dressage-bred so it’s about time I learn how to do dressage on him. What we’ve practised is now starting to come through to the ring, which is really rewarding,” said James.

“I’m really pleased and looking forward to tomorrow. It’s a good course and he should settle in well to it. There’s loads of questions; it’s combination after combination after combination – which is the difference between five- and four-star, so we’ll see how he gets on.”

Brit Caroline Harris “thrilled” after dressage

There are 20 combinations in this CCI5*, seven of which are British. Pau 2024 winners Caroline Harris and D. Day, owned by Lucy Matthews, Fiona Olivier, Marie Anne Richardson and Heather Royle, are fourth after the dressage on 31.1. World number one Tim Price makes up the top five with Susan Lamb, Therese Miller and his own Happy Boy, on 31.7.

Caroline told H&H she was “thrilled” with D.Day.

“Dressage wouldn’t be his forte, he’s not a big moving horse but he was a really good boy and tried super hard,” she said.

“I made a couple of little mistakes but there were bits that were some of his best work. He loves being at a big party, it’s his favourite thing.”

Caroline said cross-country course-designer Mike Etherington-Smith’s track looks “very technical”.

“It’s intense. From about fence 10 all the way home you don’t really get a breather,” she said. “It’s very twisty and turny, so there’s a lot to do and I think the time is going to be very tight as well.”

Caroline said her Luhmühlen preparations have gone to plan.

“He’s felt brilliant this spring, probably the best he’s ever felt,” said Caroline.

“He had a super run at Belsay where he came second in the four-star to London 52, so we were really thrilled with that. He had a good run at Kronenberg four-star, he’s just felt really confident and happy, and just a lot stronger than he was last year.

“It’s great to be back at a big three-day with him. We’ll go out tomorrow and try to do our best.”

British five-star first-timer Harry Horton

British five-star first-timers Harry Horton and Cooley With Ambition, owned by Harry and the Ambition Syndicate, were first down the centre line in this afternoon’s CCI5* session. They scored a respectable 33.5, for eighth place ahead of the second phase.

Harry told H&H he was “delighted”.

“It went better than I expected, he’s been a little bit on edge since the start of the week. He’s very capable of doing a good test, but we’ve never really been able to put everything together on the same day, but I feel like we managed today,” he said.

“I got to go in there and enjoy it, which isn’t a feeling that I often get in the dressage. I enjoyed it, there was a good atmosphere and it felt very special.”

Harry joked that the good test has left him “feeling more nervous about tomorrow”.

“There’s plenty to jump, but he’s a good cross-country horse. We’ve just got to be able to cope with the heat and intensity,” he said.

Harry bought Cooley With Ambition as a four-year-old from Richard Sheen at Cooley Farm.

“It’s a total privilege to have a horse at this level. We’ve done everything together; my first four-star, now my first five-star,” said Harry.

“He’s a very special horse. He’s been a joy to produce, and he’s definitely my favourite.”

The other Brit in the top 10 is Stephen Heal and Hagonda, who are ninth with 33.6. Sam Ecroyd and Mister Big Ears is =11th with Boyd Martin and Shanroe Cooley, Emma Thomas and The Buzz Factor are 16th on 38; all three of these horses are making their five-star debut. Sam Gillespie and But Not Till Now are 17th overnight on 38.4.

Cross-country day

Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera will set off as cross-country pathfinders tomorrow at 9am UK time (10am local). Emma and The Buzz Factor will be first out for the Brits at 9.10am UK time (9.10am local) and Luhmühlen Horse Trials dressage leaders Emily King and Valmy Biats are third last to go at 10.30am (11.30am local).

The CCI4*-S cross-country begins at 1.26pm UK time (2.26pm local) with Germany’s Malin Hansen-Hotopp due out first with Callfield. 2025 Luhmühlen CCI4*-S winners Julia Krajewski and Uelzener’s Nickel hold the overnight lead.

Check out the cross-country times.

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Mixed fortunes for Emily King and other top names during Badminton cross-country

Becky Murray — Sat, 09 May 2026 15:45:36 +0000

Emily King and Valmy Biats have dropped down the leaderboard following the Mars Badminton Horse Trials cross-country – while others have enjoyed big climbs.

Emily and the 17-year-old gelding had been lying equal 11th going into the second phase, but it wasn’t to be their day. Emily rode a circle at both fence 20abcd Spillers Sustainability Bay and fence 30abc the Savills Keepers Rails, picking up 40 jumping penalties. The pair also collected 19.2 time-penalties.

“It was so foot-perfect and that nearly was a little bit of the problem,” said Emily.

“I came up to the water [Spillers Sustainability Bay] and he was a little bit flat; I landed and moved him on and he suddenly took a massive stride. I could tell we were going to be on basically no distance to the rail and I just overprotected him. I thought, ‘I don’t want you to scrabble all over it’.”

Badminton final scores

Emily continued: “I did a circle and came again, which in hindsight, I think if the rest was a bit more scrappy I probably would have rolled with it. But the fact it was so perfect and he was so absolutely spot on everywhere, I just made a bit of a mistake. He jumped all the hard stuff, I couldn’t have asked for any better, so I’m really annoyed with myself.”

Brazil’s Marcio Carvalho Jorge is another to drop down the leaderboard, having been sixth after the dressage with 11-year-old Royal Encounter. The pair had 15.2 time-penalties and 20 jumping penalties for a circle at fence 28ab Rathbones Curve.

“He was a good boy, but unfortunately he got tired in the end,” said Marcio, adding the combinations all rode well.

“It’s his first five-star and he did really well for his first one. He was inside the time, if I’m not wrong, near the nine minutes, but then he got tired. But it’s ok, it’s his first time at the distance and he will get there. He will be a good five-star horse in the future.”

Badminton Horse Trials cross-country leaderboard climbers

Ireland’s Sam Watson is one of the day’s big climbers. He has moved up from 53rd after the dressage with Ballneety Rocketman and now lies 20th, thanks to a speedy clear round across country, recording just 0.8 of a time-penalty.

“I did the exact same thing I did with Bushman when he was a youngster. People won’t believe me, but the quarry, I just let him run in there a little bit, because this is a course to put manners on a horse,” said Sam.

“He’s a horse that needs to let me in a little bit as he just takes over. I nearly lost my line on it, but it just got his attention. We can’t ride around that course by ourselves. After that he realised that he was the one jumping the fences, and he was class. He was green in places and he goes really brave in places, and he can gallop. He was a really good boy.”

Laura Collett and 13-year-old mare Bling added just four time-faults to their 33.5 dressage score following a super round across country to lie in 16th overnight.

“I’m absolutely delighted. She’s been waiting to do that all week,” said Laura. “She was phenomenal from start to finish. I couldn’t fault her. She was always looking for the next fence; how much she’s come on in a year is unbelievable.”

Bling ate up Eric Winter’s track showing no signs of tiredness towards the end.

“I’m a bit annoyed I didn’t use her a bit more, she galloped the whole way to the line. I’m not used to riding one so blood,” said Laura.

“There were a couple of single fences where I just took too much away and should have just let her roll and trust her jump, but the combinations I couldn’t fault her. Pretty much everything rode to plan, it’s all a bit of a blur but she was absolutely amazing.”

Just behind Laura and Bling on penalties is Tom Rowland and 16-year-old Dreamliner. They finish the day on 37.8 after jumping clear across country, with 5.6 time-penalties.

“I’m really proud of him. It’s his third time here and he has done very, very little since Badminton last year. He seems to like it here,” said Tom.

“It was a bit of a hairy round because I knew that to be competitive and fast, you had to be up on your minutes early on. With him I’ve always sort of left a bit in the tank, and this year I definitely emptied the tank more than I’d have liked.

“He dug really deep for me. I had this obsession of being in the time at five-star and I haven’t done it. I thought ‘today’s the day’, but he couldn’t have gone any faster and that twistiness at the beginning does take it out of them.”

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‘It hasn’t been a smooth build-up but I’m feeling strong’: Emily King back from injury to tackle Badminton

Pippa Roome — Fri, 08 May 2026 11:15:24 +0000

Emily King has moved into equal sixth as the second day of Mars Badminton Horse Trials dressage progresses (8 May).

The British rider piloted her own and her father David’s Valmy Biats to a mark of 30.3 so they sit alongside Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner, the first pair into the arena today.

Emily King started her Badminton dressage test with a bang with two eights and a nine for entry and Valmy demonstrated great activity and impulsion throughout his trot.

He very nearly jogged at the end of the walk and the marks also dropped down in the first flying change, which did not sit perfectly in the canter rhythm.

Badminton final scores

“He always goes a little bit anxious with the crowds in there, so it’s a balance of keeping him relaxed but still showing him off enough,” said Emily.

“In the past I’ve gone in really showing him off, then had some bigger mistakes and gone a bit underpowered, and then had on average, a lower score.

“So I was trying to get that balance with him. But today he did feel really good. He always finds his walk hard. He just wants to just get in gallop and I say, ‘You can in a minute, but you’ve just got to walk little bit longer’, but generally, I’m really pleased.”

Emily’s partner Sam Ecroyd makes his Badminton debut this year, riding Boleybawn Lecrae.

“Sammy always comes to the big ones and helps me with everything, but especially the cross-country, so he’s got his work cut out, because he has to train me and then do his own thing – I’m like, ‘Sam, I take priority, don’t listen to anyone else!’” joked Emily.

She added that their horses are very different, which has to be taken into account when planning the cross-country: “His horse is huge, but has got a quite a small, very quick stride. Mine is small, but has got a massive but slower stride. So ‘Valmy’ rides much bigger than ‘Patrick’, but he’ll get the feel for the lines as he is out early and then we’ll just have to adjust the specifics of the ride for my horse.”

Emily has been recovering from a fractured rib and torn lung after a fall earlier this year.

“It hasn’t been the the smoothest start to the year – I’ve had a few little hiccups along the way, but I’m feeling good, feeling strong and I’m healed up. It shouldn’t hold me back tomorrow,” she said.

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Emily King back on board, recovering from broken rib and torn lung and preparing for Badminton

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:52:24 +0000

Eventer Emily King is back in the saddle with Mars Badminton firmly in her sights having fractured a rib and damaged a lung at the start of this month.

Emily had completed her dressage with her top ride Valmy Biats in the CCI4*-S at the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park (3-5 April) but was unable to continue in the competition as, her mother Mary confirmed, she had a “mistake in the showjump warm-up with another horse, which resulted in a rib fracture and a small tear of her lung… ouch.”

On 8 April, Emily said a “mischievous little curveball” had been thrown into her spring programme.

“I made an unscheduled exit in the showjumping warm-up – leaving a few things not quite where they ought to be,” she said. “Nothing too dramatic, just enough to test how well we pull together when plans quietly unravel!”

Emily said her reins had been temporarily handed to her partner Sam Ecroyd while she was “promoted to PA, trainer, chief cheerleader – and wearer of many other questionable titles”.

But Emily had an appointment with a specialist the following week, thanks to the support from the British Equestrian World Class programme, and was given the go-ahead to compete again two weeks later.

“Painkillers and strapping!” help Emily King in recovery

She competed with Valmy in the CCI4*-S at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market on 17 April, and the CCI3*-S with Jackpot, “with painkillers and strapping!” said Mary, who was at the event to support Emily and Sam.

“Sam had a great event with three top-10 placings, including dear Dobby (King Louis), who I had produced up to this level,” she said. “So lovely to see them forging a great partnership.

“Em did fab tests on both Jackpot and Valmy, lying first and third in their respective sections. Then a super double clear with Jack, but sadly ran out at an early corner fence with Val (weak rider and strong horse??). She used the rest of the course as a good schooling round… as Badminton is their next event.”

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‘We learnt a huge amount together’ – farewell to Emily King’s junior European medallist, aged 22

Pippa Roome — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:13:13 +0000

Mr Hiho, who brought home a junior individual silver medal with Emily King and won internationally for other riders, was put down yesterday (17 March), aged 22.

“He was an incredible horse and I was very lucky to ride him for Patsy Mason, who so kindly got involved with him back when I was very young,” said Emily.

Mr Hiho was bought as a five-year-old from Vicky Tuffs by Patsy for Emily to ride. The pair were consistently very successful at national level, with numerous good placings in under-21 open intermediates and third in an under-25 advanced at Aston-le-Walls in 2012.

Fourth place in the under-18 national championships at Glanusk in 2011 led to selection for the junior Europeans in Vale Sabroso, where they finished seventh individually. The following year they won individual silver at the championships at Strzegom, and they were team members at a third junior Europeans at Jardy in 2013.

“He was very tall and very quirky, but we learnt a huge amount together,” Emily told H&H.

“He was the sort of horse when you rode him well, he was a good boy – and then he was quirky and he did throw in some things that caused heartache at times, but he made me grow hugely from his character.

“He had some amazing results, including the fact I won my first youth medal on him. He and Brookleigh were going at the same time and he was one of the first horses I rode at advanced and four-star level.

“Mr Hiho had so much ability and he also went on to have great results with Oliver Townend and David Doel.”

Mr Hiho won the CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) at Burnham Market and the CCI2* (now CCI3*-L) at Ballindenisk with Oliver in 2015.

In 2016, he won the CIC2* (now CCI3*-S) at Nunney with David Doel and the pair went on to finish second at Ballindenisk CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) in 2018 and second at Burgham CCI3*-S in 2021. He won his final eventing run, an advanced with David at the end of 2021.

David Doel and Mr Hiho at Tweseldown in 2020. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Emily’s mother, double Badminton Horse Trials winner Mary King, described Mr Hiho as “instrumental” in both Emily and David Doel’s careers.

After he retired from eventing, Mr Hiho competed in British Dressage with Elizabeth Burke, winning more than 20 classes up to prix st georges level.

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Ros Canter leads after Burghley cross-country with superb performance, tweaking her style to account for her pregnancy

Pippa Roome — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 15:09:30 +0000

Defending champion Ros Canter will lead at the conclusion of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials cross-country today (Saturday 6 September), having put in the only round inside the time over Derek di Grazia’s course.

Ros and Lordships Graffalo, owned by Michele and Archie Saul, had an absolutely foot-perfect round – they appeared to cruise over Burghley’s undulations, with Ros barely moving in the saddle as she set up the 13-year-old in perfect balance for combination after combination. The tricky fences which have caught out so many – the Trout Hatchery, Joules at the Maltings, Defender Valley – looked like schooling exercises for this superlative pair.

“Lordships Graffalo is the most incredible horse – there is no other horse where you can spend time preparing for the fences to make sure you get it right and still cruise home inside the time. He gives me every opportunity to ride well,” said Ros Canter, who finished eight seconds inside the time over the Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course.

“I do always move the minute markers up 10 seconds to give me a buffer. I felt I was a bit down on the way round, which is quite good for me as it makes me keep trying harder, and he did feel a bit wearier in his gallop than usual,” she said, adding that the “insane” crowd lifted “Walter” as she came back through Defender Valley over the Defender Lodge (fence 27).

“I nearly had half a smile and thought, ‘Don’t you dare’ as he was getting a bit lower and I had to concentrate.”

‘It was down to me to make a calculated decision’

Ros is pregnant with her second child and said she had to change her style slightly today, riding with longer reins, because she is not as strong in her upper body as usual.

“I felt good this morning,” she said, when asked about the decision to run across country here. “On Thursday, there was lots of chat about my condition and everything else – it sews the seeds of doubt a little bit.

“But once I got my dressage test done, I felt good doing that and I walked the course and got in the right frame of mind. I felt very much in the competition. I did hop on him this morning for my benefit, just to pop a few fences and thought, ‘You are just Ros and it’s Walter and we can go and do what we do.’

“I always wanted to do it, so up to a point it was mind over matter because of course you have many people with many different opinions, who’d like to tell you what they think, which is absolutely fine. I just had to make a choice with the people who were important to me and I had unwavering support from my family and my husband Chris.

“[Lordships Graffalo’s owners] Michele and Archie always wanted me to come, but never put me under any pressure to come. I felt like I was riding well and it was down to me to make a calculated decision.”

Asked if she would sleep well tonight, Ros said: “I hope so – I slept really badly last night, partly because I was feeling nervous, partly because Chris and [our daughter] Ziggy came yesterday and it was three in a bed on the Luton and I was feeling cold because they took all the duvet.”

Ros was second after dressage, but first-phase leaders Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent had a run-out today so have slipped down the leaderboard.

Just before Ros set out, Emily King, sixth after dressage, lost her chance of a good placing when she had a run-out at the angled brush shoulder at the Boodles Raindance (fence 7bc) with Valmy Biats and then retired.

The following rider, Germany’s Christoph Wahler (seventh after dressage), had a risky moment when he scraped over the second two elements at the Defender Dairy Mound (fence 9abc) with D’Accord, and then was jumped off at the Burghley House Turrets at fence 14.

To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout Burghley and other major shows this year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website, from £1 a week. Horse & Hound’s 20-page magazine report on Burghley is published in 11 September issue, including full analysis and exclusive comment from six-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt.

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘A strong, independent woman’: Laura Collett on the ‘dragon’ of a mare who’s brought her back to Burghley after 14 years

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Tim Price and Vitali grab Burghley cross-country lead as course continues to cause plenty of problems

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

What do Ros Canter, Oliver Townend and Harry Meade have to jump this week? Full Burghley cross-country course photos

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Meet the ex-racehorse who cost less than £2,000 and is tackling his first Burghley

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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‘I don’t wear spurs on him any more’: change in tactics helps Emily King to top five spot after Burghley dressage performance

Gemma Redrup — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:22:07 +0000

Emily King has gone into fifth place in today’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials dressage on Valmy Biats (5 September).

The British rider and her own, her father David’s and David and Paula Evans’ 16-year-old threw down a strong and accurate performance to score 26.1. This puts them behind new leaders Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent (22), second-placed Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo (22.4), New Zealand’s Tim Price and Vitali (23.1) and day one leaders Piggy March (MCS Maverick).

Apart from a slight stutter through their final flying change, Emily looked to have Valmy Biats in a lovely frame and balance and was mostly awarded marks between seven and eight.

“I’m very pleased with how he coped because he’s a very sensitive horse and there was quite a lot of extra atmosphere following Mr Townend, who is a competitor and he was revving up the crowd,” said Emily, who has been dealing with the disappointment of not being selected for the forthcoming European Eventing Championships at Blenheim.

“Valmy was definitely a lot more on edge today but he was a lot more rideable – I don’t wear spurs on him any more and I hold his hand as much as possible.

“Our preparation has all gone to plan and he’s feeling super. It’s great to have got off to a good start today but it’s all about tomorrow.

“We will all have to ride the undulations in the correct way and be aware of allowing our horses to travel how they want. I’m just hoping I can do Valmy justice.”

Burghley first-timer slots into sixth place

Germany’s Christoph Wahler went into sixth when following Emily into the arena. Although he is a regular at five-star level and on German national teams, this marks a first Burghley for 31-year-old Christoph, and he scored 27.2 with D’Accord FRH, owned by Hendrik von Paepcke and Stefan Haupt. This was a personal best for the 13-year-old gelding at this level, who finished seventh at Badminton this spring.

“It’s our best test so far, so I’m very pleased,” said Christoph. “There were no real mistakes – he’s a pretty horse but he’s not the strongest in the movement and finds dressage hard, but today he really focused on me, was good in the warm-up and great in the arena.

“All the time warming up, I thought, ‘can I please just manage to get this in the arena today?’ He’s been progressing throughout the year and he’s usually better towards the end of the season. For example, at Badminton he felt terrible 10 minutes before I was going into the dressage arena, because he was getting a little bit excited. But he felt so within himself today, waiting for me and comfortable in his body.”

Asked about his thoughts on seeing Burghley’s cross-country course for the first time, Christoph said: “It’s more technical than I thought it would be. I was expecting many big fences and a stamina test, but I didn’t expect so many right-hand turns to so many corners, but it is what it is.

“I’ve been hoping to get a Burghley horse since I started eventing. Now we’re here, and we’ll just try to do our best tomorrow.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Burghley and other major shows this year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website, from £1 a week. Horse & Hound’s 20-page magazine report on Burghley is published in 11 September issue, including full analysis and exclusive comment from six-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt.

Rolling, grazing and midday naps: how the king of chill Valmy Biats spends his week at Burghley, according to his groom

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 06:02:24 +0000

Emily King’s ride might have come to Defender Burghley Horse Trials without his fieldmate Maisie the mule, but Valmy Biats is as laid back as you like – and on his fourth hand-graze of the day by lunchtime.

“I do tell Emily we need to bring Maisie with us!” laughs Sarah Morrilly, who’s been grooming for Emily at her Flintshire base since early 2020. “He’s not awkward about leaving her, but he will whinny for her when he gets home.”

The 16-year-old gelding, who finished fifth with Emily at Badminton this year, lives out 24/7 through the summer.

“We try to keep his routine as close to his home life as possible,” explains Sarah. “We call him ‘granddad’ at home because he’s pleasant, quiet and likes his downtime.

“Here at Burghley, he’s quite chilled and happy in his stable, but I do spend a lot of my time hand-grazing. I tend to go out six or seven times a day for half an hour at a time.”

Sarah has sole charge of Valmy this week, but is in great company with Emily, her mum Mary, Sam Ecroyd and a few more King family and friends.

“It’s real family affair,” she says. “No one goes hungry and no one struggles.”

Sarah, who started her career as a showjumping groom for Anthony Condon, says her job is to keep Valmy as relaxed and happy as possible. She doesn’t seem to have her work cut out on that score.

“He tends to have a lot of daytime naps,” she says. “All I really need to do is wake up a little bit earlier to ensure he gets his breakfast in good time. Not that he’s one to kick the door, but it’s nice to get out before everyone else for an early peaceful hand-graze.”

Valmy’s other favourite Burghley pastime is rolling on his headcollar while out on the lawn.

“He’s so chilled to lead out, the worst he’ll do is continuous rolls,” Sarah adds, “and he’s nice and polite when he gets back up again – no antics.”

Valmy Biats at home with Maisie the mule. Photo: Sarah Morrilly (Image credit: creditUnknown)

What does Valmy Biats’ Burghley week look like?

Thursday will be a quiet day for Valmy, with plenty of grazing and a schooling session with Emily ahead of Friday’s dressage test.

“Emily tends to get on him about 40 minutes before the test, so I won’t plait him up any earlier than two hours before,” Sarah says. “He has one of the thickest manes I’ve come across, it’s more of a showjumping plait than an eventing plait!

”I tend to band the plaits for the trot – I’m lazy, and my fingers hurt! But I’ll stitch them on Friday.”

Sarah says Valmy and Emily are determined in all three phases, but it’s best not to let Valmy overthink the dressage.

“Emily is always so calm and professional with him,” says Sarah. “As for Valmy, he knows his job, and he knows what’s coming on Saturday!”

For Sarah, the key to a smooth Burghley is getting ahead.

“I always make sure I have what I need at the stables early. I got Valmy’s trot-up bridle ready and waiting with him the night before, so I’m not running to and fro the next day. That way I tend to stay relaxed until cross-country day – then I get a bit anxious.

“It makes me so nervous and sick watching them. I love him and Emily a lot, your heart’s in your mouth over the whole course watching them. If I could get someone else to wait at the finish and bring him back to the stables for me, I would!”

Grooming at Burghley – the highs and lows

Sarah says one of the best things about watching Valmy and his rider is witnessing their partnership grow from strength to strength.

“Valmy puts his all into every phase, and Emily is so determined and driven,” she says. “I arrived [at Emily’s] not long after Valmy did, so I’ve seen them grow together through the highs and lows.”

No matter the result, packing up to go home is always Sarah’s least favourite task.

“It’s always such a mad rush!” she says. “And it doesn’t matter what the weather’s doing, you’re always absolutely sweating!”

To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout Burghley and other major shows this year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website, from £1 a week. Horse & Hound’s 20-page magazine report on Burghley is published in 11 September issue, including full analysis and exclusive comment from six-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt.

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Emily King and Yasmin Ingham on song – as Tom McEwen collects frangible penalties on Badminton cross-country

Lucy Elder — Sat, 10 May 2025 14:40:52 +0000

Emily King and Yasmin Ingham had Mars Badminton Horse Trials cross-country performances to celebrate – while Thursday’s dressage leader Tom McEwen slipped down the order in an intense hour for top Brits earlier today.

Emily and Valmy Biats, fourth here in 2024, settled into a rhythm for a smooth and assured spin around Eric Winter’s cross-country course.

The pair held fifth after dressage and added 7.2 cross-country time-penalties to their account, for a two-phase total of 34.5.

“He’s one of the best horses here. I’m so lucky to have him – it’s all about horsepower, and David and Paul Evans, who kindly secured the ride for me last year, they have made it happen,” said Emily, of the 16-year-old gelding.

“I’m a bit emotional; I haven’t set any records, I’m not in the lead, but he was just amazing – he listened to me and tried so hard.”

Badminton final scores

She added: “The team here have done an incredible job on the ground, it is perfect. It is fast ground, and we know the time is gettable… These are the biggest fences they’re going to jump in the sport and then coming at them with speed, it makes it tough. It’s up to height. The let-up fences, they’re not let-up fences.

“It’s tough from start to finish. You’ve got to be on your A-game and Valmy was so on it, he was awesome.”

World champion Yasmin and her long-term partner Rehy DJ made their Badminton debut with a foot-perfect performance. Like Emily, Yas settled her horse into a comfortable rhythm and the gelding popped neatly round, picking up 9.2 time-penalties to add to her dressage score of 38.7.

“He was incredible. He kept on jumping till the end and grew in confidence the whole way around. It was a really strong track, huge, very much Badminton. I couldn’t be more proud of him how he coped,” said Yas.

Yas added she “went out with a plan and stuck to it”, the only alteration being to take the slightly wider line around the tree at Huntsman’s Close to ensure Piglet understood the question.

“I’m glad I did that. He flew home, on the nice rolling downhill towards the end he regained a little bit of breath, picked up as he went into the main arena and finished really well,” she said.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin, team gold medallists at the Paris 2024 Olympics, had a hairy moment at the final log on the direct route at the KBIS Chasm (15cd), when “Dubs” left a leg. They later picked up 11 penalties for breaking the frangible device at the first corner at Equidry Huntsman’s Close.

Tom said that Dubs leaving “a couple of legs half-way round just took a little bit of the stuffing out of him”.

“Then it was quite hard work all the way back up the hill,” he said, adding the ground was brilliant and we’ve seen some travel brilliantly on it, but that “just for me and Dub, it was just a bit of a pull up that last hill, but he tried so hard and I’m delighted with him”.

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.

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To ensure you keep up to date with all the breaking news, behind the scenes insight, and the best of the action throughout Badminton Horse Trials with no limits on how much you can read, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website from as little as £1 a week. Sign up now. And don’t miss our bumper 22-page magazine report on Badminton, including in-depth analysis and exclusive comments from top names, in the issue of Horse & Hound dated 15 May.

‘He’s a showman who could go up another level’: Tom McEwen wows to claim Badminton lead at end of day one despite costly error

Martha Terry — Thu, 08 May 2025 15:59:00 +0000

The judges had yet to be set alight on day one of the Mars Badminton Horse Trials dressage phase when Tom McEwen woke them up with a glorious display late on Thursday afternoon. He steered his Paris Olympic partner JL Dublin into a massive lead on 22.4.

“He pulled together a super, super test, and got a mark he deserved,” said Tom of the 14-year-old, owned by James and Jo Lambert, and Deirdre Johnston.

They wowed from the outset, earning the judges’ first nine for their initial halt and several more as the test went on. They scored straight nines for the final halt, and their cadence and sparkle throughout set them apart.

It wasn’t perfect. Tom rode boldly in the extended trot, and Dublin lost his balance slightly, breaking into canter for a string of threes. It was the only blip in a delightfully soft yet flamboyant performance.

Badminton final scores

“Shame that our highlight piece, the extended trot was broken, but he was absolutely awesome,” said Tom. “He was relaxed, and showed all that power and rhythm yet still came out with that extended walk from the pirouettes.”

Tom explained how he’s kept the horse fresh, after a post-Olympic holiday with field-mate Toledo De Kerser.

“We know he’s unbelievably talented, but we’ve really saved him so he’s wanting to come out,” Tom said. “We’ve teased him by taking him to jumping and dressage, and he’s like, ‘this isn’t the real deal!’.

“Now he’s here, he’s been on it all week, he’s ecstatic to perform.”

Tom was grateful for his late start time towards the end of the afternoon on day one, as the horse thrives on atmosphere.

“The worst thing is if the stands are empty,” he said. “He’s a showman, and if it had been really busy he’d go up another level again.”

Debutant enjoys “electric atmosphere” of Badminton Horse Trials dressage

Next in was Yasmin Ingham, who had the hard act of following Tom and Dublin in full flow.

Yas was making her Badminton debut with Rehy DJ, who already has two podium results at five-star. In the shadow of his world champion stablemate Banzai Du Loir, this gelding is sometimes overlooked. But he produced a correct and confident test to score 29 and sit in fourth place overnight.

“He’s not naturally the biggest mover, but when he’s accurate and does things correctly he’s rewarded with the marks,” said Yasmin of the 15-year-old.

“It’s my first time at Badminton and it’s an electric atmosphere so I’m delighted with how he coped. He does react to noise and going in behind Tom was probably not ideal for me, but I was really pleased.”

Emily King moves into second spot

Emily King was another title favourite featuring on Thursday afternoon, riding Valmy Biats, who is owned by Emily, her father David, and Paula and David Evans.

Their test was accurate and smooth, with some lovely moments particularly in the canter work, but Dublin had set an unattainable standard with his flair and cadence. Emily’s score of 27.3 secured second at the end of day one.

“He held his breath a bit, so I was trying to get him to chill out,” Emily said. “He felt amazing [in the warm-up] and then just went a little tight when he went in, so I had to adapt to how he was in certain places in the arena. But the fact he tensed up and then stayed with me in the crunch movements made me so proud of him.”

Emily explained how she’s worked on Valmy Biats’ tension.

“I do a lot of test riding with him, not necessarily in the same order, but the set pieces, in different atmospheres,” she said. “He’s not scatty, but he tries so hard and holds his breath.

“So I’ve taken him to places this spring to try get him to imitate that [feeling], so I can pat him and tell him ‘don’t worry!’ He’s so sensitive and full of power, it’s been about trying to get him so I can put my leg on without going nought to 60.

“Today he trotted in and saw the cross-country fence, and I was like, ‘Val, come on, you know you don’t start with that!’ But I could feel his heart rate going up. So I turned him away from it and gave him a pat, to say ‘you’re not going out the start box now’.”

Badminton Horse Trials dressage leaderboard

The top six at the end of day one of the Badminton dressage are:

1, Tom McEwen (JL Dublin) 22.4

2, Emily King (Valmy Biats) 27.3

3, Tom Woodward (Low Moor Lucky) 27.9

4, Yasmin Ingham (Rehy DJ) 29.1

5, Oliver Townend (Ballaghmor Class) 29.3

6, Gemma Stevens (Chilli Knight) 29.5

View the full scoreboard

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials

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To ensure you keep up to date with all the breaking news, behind the scenes insight, and the best of the action throughout Badminton Horse Trials with no limits on how much you can read, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website from as little as £1 a week. Sign up now. And don’t miss our bumper 22-page magazine report on Badminton, including in-depth analysis and exclusive comments from top names, in the issue of Horse & Hound dated 15 May.

Burghley title contender falters as a second rider finishes inside the time to strengthen podium bid

Martha Terry — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 13:01:00 +0000

Harry Meade is proving the cross-country king over Derek di Grazia’s influential track at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials. Having already posted a superb pathfinding round on Superstition, he breezed round on Cavalier Crystal inside the time. The mare was third here last year, so Harry knew she could deal with the terrain and conjured a super round from her. They were lying 24th after dressage, but in contention on 31.3 and staying on a clean sheet will move them right into the reckoning for a top placing. They are currently at the top of the leaderboard.

“Superstition was light on his fitness work, whereas with this mare I was confident she’d done all her fitness, so I could get going and keep going,” he said. “She’s game, so I could keep asking her and she was with me the whole way. She’s one I try to keep settled, so we canter very quietly round the one-days but she’s mega on her day.”

Their only slight blip in a beautifully smooth round was a rub on the rails into the Defender Valley at fence 5a, but the frangible device stayed intact. By the time they were at the Dairy Mound, fence 22, they were up on the time and could take a pull at the final fence to coast home penalty-free.

Burghley Horse Trials cross-country proves influential

All eyes were on Emily King in this section of the draw. She was lying fourth on 24.1 with Valmy Biats, who has been in stunning form in 2024 with fourth at Badminton. They negotiated the tricky early part of the course very confidently, but their bid came to a stuttering halt at the final brush element of the Trout Hatchery (fence 11c).

Valmy jumped into the water boldly over the big roll-top, but got to the first corner on a loose rein and a flat stride. He had to stretch over that and then drifted out through his right shoulder and glanced off the second brush. Emily then cantered a circle before clearing the final element and elected to pull up before the next fence.

Another high-profile rider walked off the course early. Zara Tindall and Class Affair had not managed to complete Burghley in three attempts so far, and Zara showed she meant business as she set out. She went long at the Leaf Pit, where she has had trouble in the past, and rode brilliantly at the Trout Hatchery despite the horse backing off. Alas, the short five stride distance to the second Rolex Corner didn’t come off, as Class Affair twisted to make room over the fence, breaking the frangible device and tipping Zara out of the saddle.

US first-timer Mia Farley vowed to come back to Burghley, having picked up just one run-out at the second Rolex Corner on the speedy Phelps, who was tipped to be one of the fastest rounds of the day.

“The terrain is crazy, and it was the busiest beginning of the course I’ve ever had,” she said. “But my horse was so enthusiastic and he just loves his job.”

One to watch at future five-stars

Multi-horse rider Tim Price nursed his first horse, the 10-year-old Viscount Viktor, home in what became an educational round after a run-out and a pin. He paddled over the final house at the Dairy Mound, which is proving influential, but by and large seemed to cope well with the challenge. This young horse was 16th after dressage on 29.5, and came home with his ears pricked and galloping strongly. He will be one to watch as he strengthens and matures.

Francis Whittington was ecstatic to complete a clear round on DHI Purple Rain. He went long at the Leaf Pit, managed to knock out both flags at the second Rolex corner and had a rather rocky ride through the Boodles Raindance, but came home beaming with just 22.4 time-faults.

“I was wrong at the water, but we had a twist and turn, he took it on and landed it,” Francis said. “Up until and after then we had an amazing time, it was controlled and measured. I just wanted a steady start to make sure he was listening.”

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Emily King blasts into Burghley dressage top three: ‘I’m pleased; he didn’t get too hot’

Pippa Roome — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 09:28:09 +0000

Emily King and Valmy Biats made a splash as the first Defender Burghley Horse Trials dressage competitors on the second day. They started Friday’s action with a personal best score of 24.1, which puts them into second place behind overnight leaders Ros Canter and Izilot DHI.

“I’m really pleased with him – he was listening to me and felt the same from the warm-up when we went in and it’s always easier when they are like that,” she said. “He goes quite strong and on a mission, so I had to re-set his balance. He comes round and halts and then feels like he wants to go out of the cross-country start box and you’re like, ‘Not quite yet!’ But he kept letting me ride him and didn’t get too hot, so I’m really pleased with how he navigated that.”

Riding this 15-year-old horse – owned by his breeder Philippe Brivois, Emily’s father David and the Valmy Biats Syndicate – Emily started the test with a lovely square halt, which was then marred when the horse moved off as she saluted. But she was fault-free from then onwards, showing active, correct work.

She was trending around 73% in the trot-work, held together a slightly fragile walk and then, unusually, improved her marks in the canter – many riders struggle in the flying changes and leak points here, but not Emily. She scored a couple of nines, including in the extended canter and one of the canter half-passes.

“When I shortened his frame into medium walk, I could feel him going quite delicate, so I thought I’d keep the frame a bit longer and keep him walking, even though it’s not technically correct,” said Emily, showing her skill as a test rider in being able to make that decision and adjustment in the moment.

Emily King added that doing a new test here in the Burghley Horse Trials dressage – a talking point for riders yesterday – works well for older horses as they know the movements, but presenting them in a different order stops these experienced campaigners anticipating, as they might with a more familiar test.

British rising star Emily, 28, and Valmy were fourth at Badminton Horse Trials in May, so are well-placed to improve on their 25th place here last year. Emily’s mother Mary King won here in 1996 on Star Appeal, so Emily has the opportunity to become a second-generation five-star winner this week.

Tom McEwen scored 31.1 in this morning’s first session to slot into eighth place. He and Vicky Bates and David Myers’ double five-star runner-up CHF Cooliser were trending over 70% in the trot-work, but missed some of their flying changes, which proved expensive.

“She was so nice and relaxed I lost a bit of energy for the changes, which was costly and a shame,” said Tom.

Speaking about this chestnut mare’s character, Tom added: “She does whatever she wants to do and me and Adam [Short, Tom’s groom] are just in her tailwind, to be honest!”

Burghley debutante Cosby Green was the other early rider to claim a top-10 place at this stage when she scored 31.6 for 10th with schoolmaster Copper Beach, owned by Bel Mar Farm. The US rider is based in Dorset with Tim and Jonelle Price.

To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Top rider retains open title while another follows in her mother’s footsteps to claim British championship

Gemma Redrup — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:23:36 +0000

Tim Price retained his British open championship title at the British Championships today (11 August). Riding Joe and Alex Giannamore’s Vitali, Tim cruised around the track at the Gatcombe Festival of British Eventing replacement, the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials, clocking just 1.2 time-faults – the fastest time of the day.

New Zealander Tim was second after the dressage aboard 14-year-old Vitali on 20.5 with Kitty King leading the way on Vendredi Biats with 20.4, but Tim’s speedy cross-country round propelled him to the top of the leaderboard.

“He’s so well suited to this sort of competition. He obviously hasn’t had the best record showjumping when that phase is on day three – that’s something I’m still working on and it will come,” explained Tim. “But in this one-day format, it suits him. He’s got fresher legs this way around and everything is a bit more related to the training you put in for the dressage over the days leading in so the body is a bit more manageable, whereas in a three-day format, he gets more strung out across country and it’s a lot to put him back together.

“He’s such a showman in the dressage, and then we got a clear showjumping round out of him and it’s then a bit game on because he’s a fast horse. He’s been there, done that. The time was super-tight and then I heard Em [Emily King] had gone pretty close to it and I thought ‘gosh, I was trying to get close to the time on my other rides and I was miles off’. But he was super and is so adjustable at speed, which of course helps.

“There was lots to do on the cross-country and it was strong enough. It is good Burghley prep and for what Hartpury is able to offer, it was up there with one of the better tracks.”

Comparing the British open championship at Hartpury to Gatcombe, Tim says it’s a good preparation but slightly different.

“In terms of Burghley, last year I really missed not having Gatcombe as a prep-run [owing to the event’s abandonment] as it just set horses up so brilliantly. This obviously isn’t Gatcombe, but it still got right into my horse’s bread basket – there were enough hills, so I’m hoping this will stand him in very good stead for Burghley and having a bit more gas in the tank than we had there last year when we didn’t get the Gatcombe run.”

Emily King crowned British champion

Emily King and Valmy Biats become British champions. (Image credit: BENJAMIN CLARK)

Emily King was crowned British National champion in the British open championship, as she was the highest-placed Brit, finishing second on her own, Philippe Brivois and the Valmy Biats Syndicate’s Valmy Biats. Emily follows in the footsteps of her mother Mary King, who took this title in 1990, 1991, 1996 and 2007.

It was very close at the top following the dressage with just .4 of a penalty separating the top three, but Emily’s cross-country round, where she incurred the joint-second fastest round of the day for 3.2 time-faults, moved her from third after the first two phases into the runner-up spot.

The highly consistent combination of Kitty King and Vendredi Biats added 8.4 cross-country time-faults to a dressage of 20.4 to finish third.

“He pulled a shoe off early on at fence eight so that made it hard to be quick, but he went really well, did a lovely dressage test and showjumped brilliantly,” explained Kitty of the 15-year-old, owned by Diana Bown, Samantha Wilson, Sally Lloyd-Baker and John Eyre. “He’s so consistent now at this level.”

Kitty stated that the plan is to take ‘Froggy’ to Maryland 5 Star in October.

“I’ve raised half of the funds to take him there, I’ve just got to raise the other half now. I’m hoping to raise the rest by offering someone to ‘adopt’ him for the week, so they will get the full owner experience at the event, but without being named as an owner.”

Zara Tindall and five-star stalwart Class Affair were fourth on 30.7, while Tim Price finished fifth on 37.8 with Coup De Coeur Dudevin.

Of the 34 starters, 30 jumped clear around the Eric Winter-designed cross-country course, while akin to Gatcombe, nobody made the 7min 1sec optimum time.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

British eventers triumph for second year in a row at prestigious CHIO Aachen as course juggles leaderboard

Gemma Redrup — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 19:06:39 +0000

The British team led from start to finish to take top honours in the prestigious SAP-Cup at CHIO Aachen.

The squad, made up of Kirsty Chabert (Classic VI), Izzy Taylor (SBH Big Wall), Laura Collett (Dacapo) and Emily King (Valmy Biats), proved unassailable, finishing on 112.8, ahead of the USA in second on 123.7 and Ireland in third on 138. The German team were fourth on 147.5.

Laura, who finished best of the Brits in third individually aboard Dacapo, a 15-year-old owned by Diana Chappell, Gillian Morris-Adams and Michael Smedley, said: “Everything here is so special – the atmosphere, the crowds. We don’t get to jump in a stadium like this anywhere else in the world.”

There had been musings among competitors that the cross-country track, designed by Rüdiger Schwarz for the final time after many years holding the role here, was softer than in previous seasons. However, from 44 cross-country starters, 28 jumped clear, with two making the optimum time of 6min50sec.

British chef d’equipe Philip Surl commented of the CHIO Aachen result: “It was a great result and an interesting competition in the end looking at the statistics after the cross-country – it was maybe not what everyone thought it would be after walking it earlier in the week.”

Laura said of the track: “It was a go-cart course, one obstacle followed the next – it’s always demanding here but Dacapo loves the crowds – he switches off around long, galloping tracks, so he loves Aachen.”

This is the fourth time since 2011 that the British team have won here – previously in 2011, 2021 and 2022 – proving their strength in depth in terms of the riders the nation has in their arsenal.

The USA team, consisting of James Alliston and Karma, whose speedy cross-country round meant they finished ninth individually, having been 33rd after the dressage, plus Alyssa Phillips and Oskar, Hallie Coon and Cute Girl and Liz Halliday with Shanroe Cooley, proved they have firepower for the future, both in equine and human form, given that the former three combinations were making their first visits to Aachen.

“For three of our team never to have competed here before and to step up and jump four clear rounds in the showjumping was incredible,” said Liz. “Plus a lot of great cross-country rounds from us today is very exciting, especially as some of us are on younger horses. It was great that we could fight until the end.”

Bar Joseph Murphy’s Calmaro, the Irish team were also fielding a team of less experienced horses in the shape of Millridge Atlantis (Ian Cassells), Ballyneety Rocketman (Sam Watson) and Isazsa (Austin O’Connor).

“To finish third against two big nations with big budgets is very pleasing – sometimes we have to go to the charity shop, but we’re coming for you,” joked Sam Watson.

“Our owners that support us and our personal sponsors make a big difference, but for me, it’s my team mates and Dag Albert, who is our eventing team manager, and the attitude of the likes of Lucy Latta, who was second at Badminton this year, Austin, who won the five-star at Maryland in 2023, and the team winning the Nations Cup at Millstreet earlier this year; Ireland keeps chipping away and when we can get the support to be as professional and have a system around us – we couldn’t afford to have our team coaches here – we have the attitude and we’ll always be here.”

There was a shake up in the individual competition when two-phase leader Michael Jung withdrew FischerChipmunk FRH before cross-country.

“It was always the plan not to run him across country,” said Michael of the 16-year-old, owned by the German Olympic committee for equestrian sport, Michael’s father Joachim and Klaus and Sabine Fischer, who is named on the German team for the looming Paris Olympics. “FischerChipmunk is in such great shape at the moment and better than ever, but we need two or three more gallops before Paris.”

CHIO Aachen: individual shake-up

Julia Krajewski riding Nickel 21 at Aachen in 2024. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Germany’s Paris-bound combinations of Chistoph Wahler and Carjatan S, who were third after two phases, and Sandra Auffarth and Viamant Du Matz, who were seventh before the cross-country, both retired two-thirds of the way round the cross-country – as was always the plan.

Christoph and Carjatan S made what they jumped look incredibly easy, however Viamant Du Matz flew past a narrow triple brush at fence 10ab.

“I think I got my line wrong and wasn’t totally focused so my horse was never totally focused on the fence,” said Sandra.

Their compatriot Julia Krajewski ultimately took individual honours with an incredibly consistent Nickel 21, who is still only a 10-year-old. She added 6.4 cross-country time-faults to her 23.9 dressage.

“Winning in Aachen is, of course, always very, very special,” said Julia, who last won here on Chipmunk FRH in 2018, before he was sold to Michael Jung to ride. “It is almost like a championships. But there is so much between hoping to win and actually winning. I wasn’t predicted to win, which makes it all the better when it is a surprise. I still can’t really believe that it actually happened.”

Germany’s Calvin Böckmann, who is 23 years old, was second with The Phantom Of The Opera. Calvin becomes the youngest rider to finish on his dressage score in this class at CHIO Aachen, and was one of the two to finish inside the optimum time across country – the other being Australia’s Chris Burton, who was fourth with Clever Louis.

“I think my horse and I have grown together incredibly over the last two-and-a-half-years,” explained Calvin, who took on this 13-year-old, who he co-owns with Jason, Liam, Roger and Simone Böckmann, from Sandra Auffarth. “We were at the five-star in Kentucky at the beginning of this year and I think that has bonded us even closer together – I trust him totally and he trusts me, which makes it possible to take the first distance and cut turns.”

Emily King and the consistent Valmy Biats had the win at their mercy when setting off on course, with a buffer of 2.3 penalties to finish ahead of Julia. However the 15-year-old gelding finished 12 seconds over the optimum time to complete on 32.8 in fifth, 2.5 penalties adrift of Julia.

“With the intensity of the course, he definitely felt different, which he never had before – we were up on our minutes at the beginning but he went a bit foggy in his brain, but he was still amazing and is such a big, bold, strong horse, so it took a bit more time for me to set him up,” explained Emily of her first-time Aachen performance with this gelding, who is owned by her father David King, his breeder Philippe Brivois and the Valmy Biats Syndicate.

Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier, who is fresh from her five-star victory at Luhmühlen, once again impressed, finishing sixth and seventh aboard Ducati D’Arville and Hermione D’Arville respectively at CHIO Aachen.

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‘A tough decision but the right one for him’: four-star winner to retire from eventing

Becky Murray — Tue, 28 May 2024 16:12:13 +0000

Young eventer Elizabeth Barratt has paid tribute to Dargun as the 16-year-old gelding retires from eventing to pursue dressage.

Dargun was a former top ride of Emily King, and later Piggy March, before the Barratt family bought him for Elizabeth during her final year on ponies in 2021.

“I was doing pony trials and pony two-stars with Noble Superman, and my parents thought Dargun would be a really good horse for me to learn from,” 18-year-old Elizabeth told H&H.

“In the beginning it was not the easiest, which is no secret. He was quite particular with his showjumping and liked me to get it right – which was fair as he was an experienced horse and teaching me to ride him properly. But it really helped me in the long run, and while riding tricky horses can be frustrating at times, it’s so good for experience and learning.

“He was always really good in the dressage, if you asked him to do something correctly he would always do it. He taught me to ride all the movements for the three-star tests and taught me flying changes, and to have a horse like that to learn from at a young age made such a difference to my riding.”

Before joining Elizabeth, Dargun had competed to CCI5* level. He won team gold at the young rider Europeans with Emily King in 2015, and they were Bramham u25 champions in 2018. After Emily’s owner Jane Del Missier moved away from the sport in 2019, Dargun joined Piggy March’s string. Piggy and Dargun were second at the Little Downham CCI4*-S in October 2020, and won the Burnham Market CCI4*-S in April 2021.

“By the end of our first season together we jumped double clear round our first CCI2*-S, at Bicton, which was amazing given I hadn’t had him very long,” said Elizabeth.

“I had a few lessons with Piggy, and Emily would always ask about him, so it was really nice they could see him out at events. The longer I had him we got stronger as a partnership, and each event we got to know each other that little bit better. He can be quite a complex little character and was quite quiet when we first got him, but as I got to know him he really brought out his personality and he was such a funny horse to have around and really loving.”

Dargun continued to teach Elizabeth the ropes and their best result came in September 2023 when they won the Cornbury young rider CCI3*-S.

“That was a real highlight. I didn’t really know what to expect going into it as I hadn’t done a lot of intermediates with him, and he performed so well,” she said.

“He gave me my first proper big win which was so exciting, and then a few weeks later I did my first three-star long at Osberton. To be able to jump around those bigger tracks on a horse like him was just amazing.”

Elizabeth and Dargun started their 2024 season at Poplar Park, but the decision was made to call time on his eventing career.

“He just sort of told us that he wasn’t really enjoying it anymore, and wasn’t quite jumping as well as he had been. We thought while he’s happy, fit and healthy, we’ll retire him so he can do another job,” said Elizabeth. “It was a tough decision but we knew it was the right one for him.”

Dargun has now joined junior rider Megan Fields to pursue a second career in dressage, and will return to the Barratts when he retires.

“It was sad to see him go but it was really nice knowing he’s going to do something that he enjoys, and then he’ll come home to us,” said Elizabeth.

“It hasn’t always been straightforward but I’ve learned so much, and I definitely wouldn’t change anything about it.”

Elizabeth will continue her season with Georgina W and new horse Fernhill Kankan, a former ride of Jonelle Price.

“I’ve had Georgina since last year and I just got Fernhill Kankan in April so I’m really looking forward to doing a bit more with her,” said Elizabeth.

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Two riders bidding for a senior championship debut among British eventing Olympic entries

Pippa Roome — Mon, 20 May 2024 11:05:30 +0000

The British eventing Olympic entries have been revealed. These are the 12 horse and rider combinations who will be submitted as the nominated entries for the Paris 2024 Games. The final team of three and one alternate will be chosen from this list.

The closing date for the nominated entries is Tuesday 25 June and the list may be amended before this; selection decisions are subject to pairs maintaining fitness and performance. The final squad will be announced in late June.

Nine riders have been named on the list, with Ros Canter, Yasmin Inham and Oliver Townend each appearing with two horses. Two of Britain’s horses from the gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics (London 52 and Ballaghmor Class) could make an appearance in Paris, with the same riders in Laura Collett and Oliver. Tom McEwen, who rode Toledo De Kerser on that team, and Ros Canter, who was the alternate with Allstar B, are both listed this time with different horses.

Aside from Tom, Laura and Oliver, the other rider on the list who is already an Olympian is Kitty King, so five riders (Ros, Yasmin Ingham, Emily King, Tom Jackson and Bubby Upton) are bidding to make their Olympic debut. Emily and Bubby would both be making their senior championship debut should they get the final call-up for the Games.

British eventing Olympic entries

Ros Canter with 11-year-old Izilot DHIOwner: Alex Moody and riderBreeding: by Zavala VDL out of a mare by Cavalier

Ros Canter with 12-year-old gelding Lordships Graffalo

Owners: Michele and Archie Saul

Breeder: Lordships Stud Writtle College (GBR)

Breeding: by Grafenstolz, out of a mare by Rock King

Laura Collett with 14-year-old London 52

Owners: Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and rider

Breeder: Ocke Riewerts (GER)

Breeding: by Landos, out of a mare by Quinar

Yasmin Ingham with 13-year-old Banzai Du Loir

Owners: Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies Fund

Breeder: Pierre Gouye (FRA)

Breeding: by Nouma D’Auzay out of a mare by Livarot

Yasmin Ingham with 14-year-old Rehy DJOwners: Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies FundBreeder: Noel Russell (IRL)Breeding: By Tinarina’s Inspector, out of a mare by Big Sink Hope

Emily King with 14-year-old Valmy BiatsOwners: Phillipe Brivois, rider’s father David King and the Valmy Biats SyndicateBreeder: Phillipe Brivois (FRA)Breeding: by Orlando out of a mare by Aurelie Du Prieure

Kitty King with 15-year-old Vendredi Biats

Owners: Diana Bown, John Eyre, Sally Lloyd Baker and Samantha Wilson

Breeder: Phillipe Brivois (FRA)

Breeding: by Winningmood, out of a mare by Camelia De Ruelles

Tom Jackson with 12-year-old Capels Hollow DriftOwners: Patricia Davenport, Milly Simmie and Sarah WebbBreeder: Jeanette Glynn (GBR)Breeding: by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvar,out of a mare by Lucky Gift

Tom McEwen with 13-year-old JL Dublin

Owners: Jo and James Lambert and Deirdre Johnston

Breeder: Volker Göttsche-Götze (GER)

Breeding: by Diarado, out of a mare by Cantano

Oliver Townend with 17-year-old Ballaghmor ClassOwners: Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val RyanBreeder: Noel Nickey (ILR)Breeding: by Courage II

Oliver Townend with 10-year-old Cooley RosalentOwners: Paul and Diana RidgeonBreeder: JW Rosbotham (IRL)Breeding: by Valent, out of a mare by Roselier