The Mars Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course for next week’s event has finally been unveiled and we’re all buzzing to see what Eric Winter has devised for this year’s challenge.

Horse & Hound sent multi-medallist and experienced Badminton competitor Tina Cook along to check out the track and you can read all her thoughts in the magazine out now (dated 1 May). Meanwhile, check out the pictures below for a sneak peek at the course…

Early pictures of Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course 2025

Please note that the fences were not fully dressed during this early preview walk.

Fence 3: Tortworth Court Brush

Badminton final scores

Tina shows the line at this brush fence on a mound (which had yet to be trimmed to size when H&H visited).

Fence 5: Countryside Alliance Parallel

Tina and Eric eye up the option of angling this big silver birch spread fence.

Fences 6 and 7: Agria Corners

Two big corners, with a “roof” on each – this is one of the first serious challenges on the Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course this year.

Fences 9 and 10abc: Mars Lake

The direct route comprises two big rolltops into the water and then two arrowhead brushes in the water and on the way out.

Fence 12ab: Ineos Grenadier Sunken Road

Upright rails either side of a hollow – riders will need to set up well here to minimise the risk of penalties for breaking frangible devices.

Fence 15abcd: KBIS Chasm

Two sets of narrow logs, with a ditch in the middle.

Fence 16: Lime Tree Tables

Riders can choose which of these two tables to jump.

Fences 17 and 18: Holland Cooper Corners

The first of these big corners is set in the imposing Vicarage Ditch.

Fence 19abc: Lemieux Eyelash Brushes

The ditch questions come thick and fast in this section of the course.

Fence 21ab: Mayston Equestrian Sunken Road

Competitors can pick which of the four arrowheads to jump as the second element.

Fence 22: Wiltshire Brewers Brush

A nice big straightforward brush – which will also give great pictures.

Fence 23ab: Project Pony Brush Buckets

Riders can go inside or outside the pagoda to the second of these brush buckets.

Fence 26ab: Equidry Huntsman’s Close

Riders will be pleased to put these challenging corners behind them on the way home.

Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course pictures by Nico Morgan Media. 

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.

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

Isabelle Cook has an enviable record in her three under-21 championship appearances so far – team gold and silver, plus individual silver, at junior level in 2022 and 2023 and a team gold and individual bronze at her first young rider Europeans.

She says the young rider Europeans were definitely her highlight of 2024: “To get team gold – and I was luckily enough to experience that for a second time – is just so special. And then to add individual bronze – all you ever dream of is getting individual medals and I went in just wanting to do my best and taking the pressure off a bit, knowing it was my first year, so I was over the moon to come out with two medals.”

Isabelle says it was even more special to make her young rider debut on Mexican Law (“Barley” at home), who she also rode at her junior Europeans, and who is a home-bred who was evented by her mother, Tina Cook – the multi-medallist who has now stepped down from competing at the top level – before her.

“I’m lucky to be able to ride a horse of her calibre because she’s a home-bred and Mum started her off. She wants to please all the time, has a heart of gold and really tries and loves her job,” says Isabelle.

“She’s quite a quiet character, more of an inward thinker rather than the first horse banging the door. She’s happy quietly stood in her stable, waiting for somebody to come to her. But to ride she’s bold and super cool.”

Another big tick in the box in 2024 was Isabelle’s first advanced, at Little Downham in September. She was entered on three horses and finished 10th on Cymoon “F” Z, had a fall in the water with Mexican Law and then had to withdraw Espoir Landais.

“An advanced was something I really wanted to do, but kept quite quiet,” she said. “I felt like I had done all the prep after many seasons at intermediate and three-star and so I felt like I was ready for that step up, but walking the course I was thinking, ‘Gosh, this is big’, but I knew I was sat on good cross-country horses.

“The mistake on Mexican Law was nobody’s fault, it was just a misreading of the water and she is ok. It was a big learning curve on all levels and a big relief to have the first one done as it is a big step up in every phase, so I’m very glad to have it under my belt. ”

Isabelle Cook took over Cymoon from Tina this year and he is a “more complicated character” than Barley, as she explains: “He’s hot on the flat and quite tricky to get a test out of, though I did get a good performance from him at Osberton at the end of the season. We’ve been trying lots of tactics with him to get the best from him. But I couldn’t fault him in the jumping phases and he loves his cross-country and is bold, quick and has gallop and a lot of scope.”

Both Cymoon and Mexican Law are co-owned by Jim Chromiak and Tina, with Tina’s mother Althea Gifford also having a share in Mexican Law. Jim is a long-standing owner with Tina and Isabelle acknowledges she is lucky to have his support.

Next year, she hopes to aim Mexican Law and Emerald Katie – who will be eight in 2025 – at young riders and Espoir Landais and Cymoon at advanced classes, possibly including Bramham if all goes to plan. Mexican Law could also take the advanced route, but Isabelle says you can never aim to go on a team too many times so that’s the biggest priority for next year, though the mare could also step up to four-star.

Isabelle Cook: ‘Mum says you have to learn by your mistakes’

The Cooks’ West Sussex set-up is not flashy and it’s an ongoing project to upgrade their home and facilities. They have recently moved into a new on-site house and will soon have a new arena ready for use.

“And we have very good turnout so the horses spend a lot of time in the field when the weather is nice and the ground dry. We have the Downs to go hacking on and gallops for hill and fast work,” says Isabelle, whose uncle Nick Gifford, Tina’s brother, also trains National Hunt horses from the same base.

Although Isabelle is lucky to have the support of her vastly experienced mother, she is also quite independent.

She says: “Mum has a few horses still and enjoys riding them, but spends a lot of time away from the yard teaching, so I am left to work it out for myself as much as anything – she says you have to learn by your own mistakes and can’t always be told what you should and shouldn’t do. It’s great she’s around as a guideline and when she is there, we ride together or she’s on the ground giving me a jump. But a lot of the time I have to be self-sufficient and work out for myself what each horse needs to do each day.”

Despite her impeccable pedigree and strong record, Isabelle is very down to earth: “We have a couple of good girls working for us, but we don’t have loads of staff and I muck out every morning and afternoon like a normal person! I make sure the yard is done before cracking on with riding, working with the younger as well as older horses.”

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

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The Defender Burghley Horse Trials commentators for the event next month (5-8 September) have been revealed.

The only way to watch all the action is on Burghley TV and a familiar team return to bring this coverage to viewers at home. The presenters will once again be experienced broadcasters Nick Luck and Rosie Tapner. The commentary team will be led by John Kyle, who has just returned from working at his fourth Olympic Games, and Nicole Brown, host of the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast. They will be joined by Tina Cook and Nicola Wilson, who are both multi-medallists in eventing and have been placed in the top five at Burghley.

The BBC will air a highlights programme on BBC2 on Sunday 8 September, from 2-3.55pm, and this will be fronted by well-known presenter Rishi Persad, another who has recently returned from the Paris Olympics.

Rupert Bell and Jo Thoenes anchor the coverage for Burghley Radio, with insight on the dressage provided by grand prix rider Bobby Hayler Wright, top judge Harry Payne and Olympic dressage rider Richard Davison.

Five-star riders and former Burghley competitors complete the team – Willa Newton and Simon Grieve will add their thoughts on the cross-country phases, Ginny Howe acts as roving reporter and Ben Way will interview riders after their performances.

If you are experiencing all the action for yourself by visiting Burghley Horse Trials, the commentators you will hear on site are Spencer Sturmey, Hugh Lochore and, on cross-country day, five-time Burghley winner Mark Todd.

Spencer can frequently be heard on the microphone at events and on live streams, while British-born Hugh is based in the US and particularly well known as a voice of equestrian sport there, as well as being a four-star cross-country course-designer.

• 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

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

Cameras in warm-up and stable areas and unannounced yard inspections were among ideas suggested to boost public confidence in equestrianism – as all in the sport are urged to be brave.

Experts discussed public acceptance of involvement of horses in sport, at a conference hosted by World Horse welfare on 12 June. The aim was to share the results of the charity’s most recent survey of perception of the industry.

H&H has reported on previous independent surveys commissioned by World Horse Welfare, in 2022 and 2023. This year’s results showed that public opinion has not changed significantly: 20% still do not support involvement of horses in sport under any circumstances, 41% only support it if horses’ welfare improves and 56% said there should be more safety and welfare measures. But there were positives.

“Public confidence is slowly growing, based on what people see and hear in the media,” World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers said. “It’s a small change over three years – from 10% to 14% to 17% – but it appears to be growing steadily.”

But, Mr Owers added, “as we know it can take a long time to build up a reputation, and a very short time to lose it”.

The survey looked at where people get information on horse sport from, and who influences them. It found that television and newspapers are the most common sources, and that there is a clear appetite for more information about horse welfare in sport.

Most of the public who answered the question on who influences them in this area said it is animal welfare organisations, then vets and animal health professionals, followed by people they know who are involved with horses.

“And what influences trust in horse sport to protect welfare?” Mr Owers asked. “It’s not so much what regulators say and do, but what riders and those involved in the sport say and do.

This is given most weight, followed by the media, other people who are involved with horses but not in sport, and lastly, sport regulators.”

He added: “And horse people, as we’ve seen before, can be in a bit of a bubble. We can be more supportive of the status quo than the general public, and we do get a lot of our information from the potential echo chambers of equestrian and social media.

“But we must remember that what we see is not necessarily what the general public sees. So it’s vitally important that we step outside of ourselves and our horse world and, when we think about welfare, seek and trust independent perspectives.”

Initiatives

Mr Owers had looked at initiatives taken in the past year that may have increased public confidence in welfare, such as the British Equestrian charter for the horse, and British racing’s HorsePwr campaign.

In the panel discussion that followed, leading racing journalist Nick Luck said he believed the HorsePwr campaign has been effective.

“It’s much more positive to show every aspect of the horse, as it is,” he said. “To give as much access as possible behind the scenes. A lot of people don’t think it’s right to talk about welfare all the time, that it draws attention to the ills of the sport, but I reject that.”

Equine vet and behaviour specialist Gemma Pearson said public opinion is changing, as people accept that horses are sentient beings who feel a range of emotions.

“And ultimately, welfare is how an animal feels,” she said. But she added that the fact people in the survey cited vets as sources of information may be because they felt this was the “right answer”, and that anecdotal evidence shows how much people are influenced by social media and other people.

“So it’s everyone’s responsibility to be influencing opinions,” she said.

Swedish equestrian federation secretary general Johan Fyrberg explained the popularity of horse sport in Sweden – the federation has 155,000 members – and said that horse welfare has been the subject of education programmes there for decades.

“We have a very intense debate about welfare and I agree we have to discuss it and address and be open about any bad cases we have,” he said. “On this survey [result] I think we have to bring young people in.”

Mr Fyrberg said the Swedish federation involves young people in decision-making at all levels, which he thinks would be positive globally, adding that education is key.

“We have had some bad cases and are looking into them; we need to learn how sport and business combine,” he said. “Welfare is reasonably good but when it comes to private business, we need to drive forward and look into how we can be more involved; visiting yards.”

Mr Fyrberg said he believes it would be helpful to have the right for welfare organisations or federations to access yards. Mr Luck said this is a very interesting point, and that he believes there is most confidence in racehorses’ wellbeing when they are at licensed yards, as these are assessed and can be visited at any time.

“Beyond the time they’re at those yards, yes, we’re getting better but that’s where you worry,” he said. “But possibly in other horse sports you worry less when they finish their sporting life as that period is probably shorter and there’s greater likelihood that the person enjoying that horse for sport has that horse till the end of its life. Where you’re licensed and regulated, you feel more confident those horses are safer.”

Dr Pearson, who is also a racecourse vet, agreed that the authorities’ right to access yards at any time is key.

“That’s transparency, which is a major aspect of social licence,” she said. “The public trust you, and you can say at any point, someone can come and see what we’re doing.

“I think it would be nice to be proactive and say any national rider is open to someone from a national federation coming to see how the horses are, how they’re trained. And I think we could take this further.”

Behind the scenes

Dr Pearson said there is mistrust about what happens behind closed doors and suggested cameras in warm-ups so anyone can watch and any concerns could be seen in detail rather than pictures being shared of a brief moment that does not look good, but does not reflect the reality.

“The more transparent we can be, the better,” she said. “Everyone has a high-quality camera on them these days so we should always be riding and interacting with horses in a way that we’d be happy to be filmed and go out in public.”

Tina Cook, who was on the panel with her eventer daughter Isabelle, thought unannounced yard visits were a very good idea, and that if horses are mistreated, there should be stronger penalties.

A key topic was “the other 23 hours” when horses are not in competition, and Mr Luck said this is where “social media can come to the fore”, citing trainers who share visuals of happy racehorses at home.

“It’s so easy to communicate that,” he said. “You’d never see pictures of a horse the day after the Derby but Aidan O’Brien took some of City Of Troy having a roll this year, happy as Larry. That’s so powerful and I don’t think federations necessarily understand the power of access.”

Mr Luck said there had been a “fight” for access to the stable areas of racecourses, in which the public would be interested, and which would help show transparency. He added that it is unlikely there will be more horse sport on mainstream television , but “we’ve got to keep pushing” for it.

“The more access we can give people who might be suspicious of it, the greater success we’ll have,” he said. “We’ve got to keep trying.”

Mr Fyrberg said another key is to involve riders more; some top athletes can be “scared” to share what they do daily, as a picture taken at the wrong angle might have a negative reaction, but “I really believe we need to involve our riders and make them brave”, he said. “And really use social media and show the 23 hours outside sport. They’re the ambassadors; we need to support them to use social media and be brave.”

“It seems to be a top-to-bottom thing,” panel chair Lucy Higginson said. “Everyone has an impact.”

Dr Pearson agreed, that everyone from hackers to Olympians has the responsibility to showcase the best of our sport at all times.”

Dancing horses

She mentioned her non-horsey father, saying in 2012 that the “dancing horses” at the Olympics were “just amazing”.

“It was that harmony that shone,” she said. “People who knew nothing about horses were suddenly engaged because they saw that. The public and riders aren’t welfare scientists but intuitively, we’re pretty good at picking up on what a happy athlete is, and when we see that that’s more attractive to people. We won’t compete against football but there’s something there we can improve.”

And Mr Fyrberg added: “Horse welfare isn’t a problem, it’s a solution.”

In his summing up, Mr Owers said the horse world has to be “outside its bubble”, and that transparency is key.

“We need to make sure we’re not totally directed by what other people think, but aware of it,” he said. “I love the word ‘harmony’; that’s the end product, and when we talk about the horse-human partnership it’s the harmony of that.”

Mr Owers reaffirmed the importance of the “other 23 hours, and traceability of horses throughout their lives, as well as being open about telling the stories of our relationship with horses.

“And it’s about being brave,” he said. “We don’t live in a perfect world, but we do have to sometimes be brave. It’s not about walking on eggshells; our job is to reduce the harms and maximise benefits and when we’re telling those stories we have to be brave and people should be supported in that. We can’t retreat and only give the positive side of our sports.

“If we learn from the challenges and tell the story, we’ll build the trust and what we know is that the central tenet of social licence is trust. If we have that, we’ll have a very strong social licence going forward. We look forward to ongoing discussion and a very strong future for the horse sector and horse sport.”

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

Retraining former racehorses can be challenging, but also extremely rewarding if you can form a bond with an intelligent thoroughbred and re-educate him for a successful second career.

British Olympic eventing medallist Tina Cook has a strong family background in racing and has taken on the task of retraining racehorses many times, turning them into successful event horses. In a masterclass at Wellington Riding in February 2023, she talked about some of the secrets of success when working with these horses.

Top tips for retraining racehorses

1. Don’t forget you are dealing with a past history

Ex-racehorses who haven’t been successful in their first careers may have been to the races and not had a very nice time because they were being asked to do something they weren’t very good at and didn’t understand, says Tina.

“If that was you, would you trust humans and what they’re asking you to do?” she asks. “Ex-racehorses can be misinterpreted as being nappy or stupid, but people have to be realistic about what they have done before. Give them belief that they can do it.”

2. Don’t make a big deal out of small things

If a horse whips round, they’ll probably whip round faster or perhaps rear up if you make a big deal out of it, says Tina. It is better to stay quiet in your riding and the correction you give the horse.

3. Re-start the jumping education

“I don’t care if a horse has run in a bumper or in the Grand National, we start their jumping education by walking over one pole,” says Tina, adding that horses who have raced over fences learn to jump looking up, not down at the obstacles, so they need to learn to look, assess the jumps and tackle them in a different way to be an event horse.

4. Take the outings slowly

Again, remember that the horse may not have good memories of going out in a lorry if he didn’t enjoy his racecourse experiences.

“Don’t just take him straight to a show and wonder why he’s coming off the lorry wild and shaking, with sweat pouring off him,” says Tina, explaining she would start off by taking a horse out for quiet schooling outings rather than going straight to a competition.

5. An older horse can still be retrained and be successful

Tina cites the example of Harbinger, a horse she took on as an eight-year-old and she retrained to win the British intermediate championships at Gatcombe Horse Trials two years later and compete at Burghley.

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

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

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

Pippa Funnell and Tina Cook will share their expertise and advice at the London International Horse Show, in a session about building relationships with horses.

The two medal-winning eventers, friends and teammates on many occasions, are the latest addition to the show’s LeMieux masterclass series. The session, Perfect Partnerships with Pippa and Tina, will take place in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena at the ExCeL centre on the Friday of the show (15 December).

A spokesman for the event said Tina and Pippa will “pool the knowledge the pair have collected over three decades of riding at the top level of sport, discussing their relationships with both human and equine teammates”, adding: “Perfect Partnerships with Pippa and Tina is an hour-long lesson in developing those vital connections that produce results at all levels.”

Tina and Pippa will put together exercises that those watching will be able to do at home.

“It’s all about building that friendship with your horse or pony,” said Pippa, “To which we all know there are no shortcuts – but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring!

“We’ve both produced horses from the ground up. We’ve both produced youngsters, and horses who don’t necessarily have the ‘whole package’ – but this masterclass is all about working with what you have; emphasising the natural talents and supporting those areas where a horse and rider might be weaker, to create that perfect partnership for enjoyment and success.”

The session will include work on the flat and over poles, and “pay special attention to establishing self-discipline and the basic techniques which are the basis of any good partnership, with Pippa and Tina’s trademark light-hearted flair”.

Pippa added:“It’s all got to be fun – for both horse and rider.

“That’s what creates the best partnerships – when both we and our four-legged friends are enjoying ourselves!”

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

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

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

Five daughters and sons of five-star riders, plus one five-star horse, have been selected among the British squads heading to next month’s junior and young rider eventing European Championships in Montelibretti, Italy (13-17 September).

Multi-medalled eventer Tina Cook’s daughter Isabelle, who won individual silver and team gold at last year’s junior championships, heads up the junior squad this time. She has been selected with her partner from last year’s event, Mexican Law (owned by Jim Chromiak), with Turbo (owned by Shaun Lawson) as a direct reserve horse.

Joshua Levett, son of Australian championship rider Bill, joins Isabelle on the junior squad, riding Elisabeth Murdoch’s This Ones On You.

Anna Price, whose mother Patricia Price rode at the top level on Riva Ruel in 20o4 and 2005, has been selected for the junior championships with Keep Happy, owned by her father Tim Price – no relation to the New Zealand eventing world number one of the same name.

The five-star horse on the list is 17-year-old Bayano owned by Rebecca Salt and Caroline Harris. He won Bramham Horse Trials CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) and completed Badminton Horse Trials and Luhmühlen Horse Trials with Caroline’s daughter Flora, before moving to his current rider, Pippa Royle.

Annabel Finston (Grafelles) and Jasmine Underwood (Indian Girl G) complete the junior squad.

On the young rider squad, Ellie Fredericks – daughter of five-star winners Lucinda Fredericks and Clayton Fredericks, who are now divorced – makes her British squad debut, riding Lucinda’s Pure Trendsetter.

Daisy Bathe, daughter of British championship rider Charlotte Bathe (née Hollingsworth), joins her on the squad riding her grandmother Mary Hollingsworth’s Mexican Wave.

In addition, Finn Healy, who competes on young rider squad with Amy Hawley’s Treamble, is the son of a four-star rider in Sarah Healy.

Barnie Brotherton (his mother Naomi’s DHI King Nelson), Maja Hullah (Articus) and Millie Juleff (her own and her father Darren’s Donateur) have also been selected for the young rider squad.

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

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

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

The names of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials commentators have been released for this year’s event (30 August–3 September).

For those watching from home on the paid-for subscription service Burghley TV, John Kyle and Nicole Brown are the principal commentators – both are experienced equestrian commentators, with John having worked at the past three Olympic Games and Nicole known as the voice of the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast.

Other commentators will include the 2021 European champion Nicola Wilson and another former European champion and multi-medallist, Tina Cook. The presenters on Burghley TV are Nick Luck and Rosie Tapner.

The on-site Burghley Horse Trials commentators team will be led by another seasoned horse sport commentator in Steven Wilde, who anchored the live streaming coverage of the European Eventing Championships in Haras du Pin, France, earlier this month.

He will be joined on the mic by Spencer Sturmey and – for cross-country day – Mark Todd. Mark is a five-time winner of Burghley, as well as being a former Olympic individual champion.

For those tuning into Burghley Radio, dressage rider Bobby Hayler and judge Harry Payne will be commentating on the dressage.

Five-star riders Willa Newton and Simon Grieve will commentate on the cross-country and showjumping phases, while fellow top-level jockey Ben Way will be carrying out interviews with the competitors soon after they hop off their horses after each performance. Another five-star rider, Ginny Howe, is Burghley Radio’s roving reporter.

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

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

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

The Badminton Horse Trials commentators, at this week’s event presented by Mars Equestrian (4–8 May), will include five-star riders and broadcasting professionals.

Badminton TV, the paid-for online streaming service which will show fans all the action, will be anchored by John Kyle, a professional commentator who has worked on the equestrian sport at the past three Olympic Games and who fronted last week’s coverage of the Kentucky Three-Day Event on ClipMyHorse.TV and USEF Network. John will be joined by guest commentators including 2021 European champion Nicola Wilson.

The BBC will show a highlights programme on Monday, feeding into the live final showjumping rounds. This will be fronted by Rishi Persad and Tina Cook, the five-star rider and Olympic medallist who has recently retired from competing at the top level.

Listeners on Radio Badminton will hear dressage commentary from top-level judge and trainer Nick Burton and dressage rider Bobby Hayler Wright. On cross-country and showjumping days, insight will come from five-star riders Daisy Berkeley and Matt Heath. Another five-star rider, Ben Way, will lead on Radio Badminton’s mixed zone interviews and Ginny Howe, who has also ridden at the top level, will be the roving reporter. Rupert Bell, Jo Thoenes and Sam Lloyd form the team of presenters.

Badminton final scores

The Badminton Horse Trials commentators on site at the event will be David Luck, Tadgh Ryan, Roly Rickord and Spike (David) Milligan.

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials

If you are interested in watching Badminton Horse Trials live from the comfort of your home, wherever you are in the world, you will need to subscribe to Badminton TV. To sign up, visit watch.badminton-horse.tv – click the “Sign Up” link in the top right corner of your screen, then follow the instructions. An annual subscription to Badminton TV costs £19.99 and gives you 365 days of access to all of the content in the Badminton TV library, the ability to watch the action live, and the option to replay all of this year’s action later.

You might also be interested in:

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Meet Badminton first-timer Georgia Bartlett: ‘He is my first horse and we’ve worked our way up from BE100’

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

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

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

Pippa Funnell and Tina Cook had the audience laughing from the off at their recent masterclass at Wellington Riding, revealing Pippa had asked outside if she should take her waistcoat off and Tina replied: “Don’t be daft, your tits will be down to your belly button.”

Later, Pippa drew comparisons between their long friendship and the partnership the pair both like to form with their horses.

“It’s up to us to find ways to better our communication with horses, to form that partnership. Mine and Tina’s friendship isn’t quite like a marriage, but we’ve known each other a long time,” she said.

“If you want to have a good friend, you have to be a good friend and likewise, I want my horses to be my friend. That partnership, that friendship, is built up by mutual respect, confidence, trust, patience. They’re not tools, they’re animals and we have to treat them as such.”

Tina added: “I believe my horses do it across country because they want to do it for me rather than because they are frightened of me. It’s all about the partnership.”

Pippa Funnell also revealed that Tina Cook told her she was pregnant when they were hacking around Burghley during competition week, before she’d told even her then-husband or her mother. So Tina’s daughter Isabelle – now a junior individual silver and team gold medallist – has actually already had her first trip round a five-star, albeit from the safety of her mother’s womb.

Although they share many of the same beliefs about training horses, Pippa and Tina also work in different ways.

“I don’t use poles as much as Pippa does – I’m not saying that’s right or wrong. Maybe that’s my failure – she’s won the Rolex Grand Slam and I haven’t!” said Tina.

‘You need a mate’

The two Olympic medallists were asked about coming back from losing confidence during the evening and Pippa said: “You need a mate. What we’re dealing with in our sport – it’s emotionally draining. There are incredible highs, but also big lows and you need mates around you.

“If it’s a case of losing confidence, I’ve been there, I think Tina has been there. If you’ve lost confidence as a rider, you can’t push yourself, you have to go back to basics, go back to the system and gradually build up again.”

Tina added: “Whether you’re competing at five-star or BE100 or BE90 or BE80, it’s got to be fun. I’ve seen too many people having problems with nerves, worrying about it. Yes, we get nervous, but it’s being able to control that and enjoy the experience of nerves.

“There are different pressures – financial, family, owners – but at the end of the day, it’s down to you, you’re the one riding at those fences. There’s been many a time we’ve had to go back to basics and get back in love with the game and for us, we have managed that.

“Growing up, we’d think the Ginny Elliots or Lucinda Greens made it look so easy, but no, we still make mistakes. Hopefully less mistakes than when we were younger, but we’re always working on it the whole time – and working on ourselves, that’s a massive thing.

“You do see quite a lot of people coming out of the ring and saying, ‘Blooming horse this or that’ and you think, ‘Actually mate, look at yourself – what could you have done differently?’”

‘I wouldn’t sleep if my horses weren’t happy’

During her masterclass with Tina Cook, Pippa Funnell also touched on the importance of making sure horses are happy and that people see that.

She said: “You have to treat each horse as an individual. We all want to buy a beautiful horse and conformation is key, but they come in all shapes and sizes. You have to work out their strengths, find out what do they find difficult. A lot of people don’t read their horses and think they’re being difficult, but it’s the way they’re built. We have to ride them, give them exercises to improve.

“It’s about working with what you’ve got and bringing out the best in them. Between Tina and I, we really do put the horse first and we’re passionate about getting the right message across.

“We’re in a tricky time for social media – it’s essential we do everything right by our horses and are seen to do right. As trainers and riders we have a huge responsibility. It worries me where the sport is, it upsets me. I know how I am with my horses, any of you could come into my yard and see the horses are very happy, they trust me, they are confident. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if that wasn’t the case.

“The partnership is key, eventing is a tough sport and why should my horses dig deep if I haven’t done right by them? I’m far from the greatest rider, but one of my strongest points is getting into horses’ minds and how they think.”

You might also be interested in:

Pippa Funnell on training horses: ‘I love mine to bits but I don’t spoil them – I don’t want a spoilt horse’

Killer instinct, Valegro’s nephew and riding all night – Lottie Fry and Anne van Olst’s demo at London

The perfect (human) body for dressage, camels and more: eight insights from Carl Hester

Position, polework and partnership – 13 insights from Pippa Funnell’s demo at London

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

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

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

Eventing legend Tina Cook has called time on her elite-level career, after her medal-winning ride Billy The Red was put down aged 15.

Tina, who has three Olympic medals to her name, as well as being European champion, and winning world team golds and silver and European team gold, told H&H it is “the end of an era”. She will continue to produce young horses, and compete up to three-star level, but also support her daughter Isabelle, now 17, who events, and her 15-year-old son Harry, who are her main priority now.

“I’ve had a fabulous career,” Tina told H&H. “There is more I’d like to win! But I’ve been able to be competitive, and aim for British teams, for the past 30 years, and I’ve produced and ridden many wonderful horses.”

Tina had to say goodbye to Billy The Red, with whom she won European team gold in 2017, finishing fourth individually, and team silver in 2019, and was travelling reserve for the 2016 Olympics.

“It was incredibly sad,” she said, thanking Billy’s owners Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson for their support. “He was challenging, a bright, sharp little horse who gave me so much.”

Tina said Billy had competed at Pau last year, after an injury he sustained a year or so before, but was unlevel before Badminton this year. She turned him out but realised he would not have enjoyed a comfortable retirement.

“He was a funny little horse with a sharp, spooky brain – never nasty but I soon learnt to ride him on his terms,” she said. “He had so much natural ability and a great technique; he had a short fuse but I found the best way was to work with him, then he gave me so much. He’d jump anything and everything, and on the last day he had an amazing record of showjumping clears.

“I took the decision that was right for the horse. I get so attached to my horses; it was so sad but if they can’t have a happy retirement, you have to do what’s right by the horse. And at the same time as announcing that, I thought maybe now’s the time to say what’s probably going to happen.”

Tina explained that Billy was her only top-level horse, and that there was a gap between him and her younger rides. She also wants to spend more time supporting Harry – she enjoys watching him play rugby at weekends – and Isabelle, who won junior European team gold and individual silver this summer on the homebred Mexican Law.

“Mexican Law would probably have filled that gap but I felt she’d be a fantastic junior horse for Isabelle,” Tina said.

“It’s difficult as I need to earn more money, and produce young horses to sell, and age is catching up with me a bit! I enjoy producing the young ones, horses and humans. It was a bit of a wake-up call when I wasn’t entered for Tokyo as I felt Billy would have been competitive but when there are younger people coming through – which there should be, you’d be worried if there weren’t – you maybe have to step down gracefully, or try to be graceful! It’s the end of an era and a strange thought but I’ve had a year to think about it and it can’t be all about me; I’ve got other people in my life. I feel a bit older now and have picked up a few injuries, and maybe it’s that sort of time.”

Tina said she will enjoy bringing on youngsters; she produced all her own top rides to that level, and maybe “producing some that may be good enough for Isabelle to represent her country, as I’ve been lucky enough to do”.

She added that it is hard to pick out real highlights from her top-level career that has included so many special horses and successes.

“There was Song And Dance Man who took me from Pony Club to the British team in 1993; the Europeans in pouring rain, where a lot of the top combinations fell apart but my little wiry thoroughbred jumped double clear and we won individual silver. That was a very pivotal part of my career; my first time on a senior team, at 22, and coming back with a silver, but so many horses have given me so much.”

Tina also cited General Jock, who her mother Althea found as a four-year-old at Doncaster sales and with whom she won world team gold in 1994 and individual European bronze in 1997, and finished fifth at Badminton. And of course the legendary Miners Frolic, who won double Olympic bronze in 2008 and team silver four years later.

“I thought for a long time I’d never get to an Olympics, as before each Games, something went wrong,” Tina said. “By then I’d had two children and to go to an Olympics as the mother of two babies and get the results seemed unrealistic. But to win individual bronze and coming back best of the Brits – it all happened at the right time. You just keep working away with these horses and hope you get it right, and seize the moment.”

Tina added that she may not have a five-star victory to her name, but “I’m not walking away with any regrets”.

“That would have been the icing on the cake but I suppose I’ve achieved a lot, and now’s the time to give something back,” she said.

“You have to grow up at some point and I’ve had a good spin at this. The sport’s given me so much pleasure and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

You might also be interested in:

We took some time to reflect with Tina about her double gold victory with Miners Frolic 10 years ago.

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

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

Tina Cook has paid tribute to Miners Frolic, her three-time Olympic medallist and European champion who was put down last week at the age of 24.

“It’s a cliché, but he was the horse of a lifetime and such a kind, generous horse,” she said. “He wasn’t necessarily born brave, but he had a natural will to try his best for me. I always felt we had a real partnership and he was one of life’s triers.

“He took me to two Olympic Games and I didn’t think an Olympics was ever going to happen for me.”

Tina was given Miners Frolic – already nicknamed Henry – when his breeder, American Maurice Pinto, decided to sell up his training business.

“He had had horses with my father [Josh Gifford] and then decided to take out a licence and train himself – he trained Miners Frolic’s mother, Mighty Frolic, who won many hunter chases,” explained Tina. “He was always very supportive of young people, helping me find sponsors and getting going in eventing.

“When he decided to sell up, he gave my brother [trainer Nick Gifford] and I each one of his home-breds and told us to produce them and do as we pleased with them, perhaps try and make some money on them. It was very generous of him.

“I drove over to pick up this four-year-old wondering what he was going to be, and as soon as I saw him, I thought, ‘I can do something with that, he’s beautiful.’

“As a young horse he wasn’t particularly brave and had a rather thoroughbred jumping technique – he always wanted to be careful but was slightly dangly in front.”

Tina started educating Miners Frolic with some pre-novices (now BE100s) and Burghley young event horse classes as a five-year-old – “just to get him out and do something with him” – and said it was a “wonderful surprise” when the horse won the Burghley young event horse final.

Tina still wasn’t convinced Miners Frolic was going to be a superstar as he went through his six- and seven-year-old years, but he made a major breakthrough when he was seven with second in the young horse World Championships at Le Lion d’Angers. By this time, the Nicholas and Valda Embiricos had joined Sarah Pelham in the horse’s ownership.

“Thoroughbreds can take longer to learn the game and I was very careful with him because he was of a sensitive nature – I always made sure he was confident at each level before he stepped up, because I felt if he was over-faced or over-pressured, he could fall apart, worry about it and lose his ambition to do it,” said Tina.

“In my mind I had a beautiful tool to work with, but I had to get it right and keep his trust and belief in me.”

Nonetheless, Henry was just 10 years old when he went to his first Olympics in 2008. The previous autumn, he had finished second at Blenheim Horse Trials.

Tina remembered: “William Fox-Pitt said after that that the selectors might look at a horse like him for the Olympics and I said not to be ridiculous, that he hadn’t done enough. He suggested taking him to Boekelo – so I thought, well, they’re five weeks apart, he’s a thoroughbred, racehorses run every two weeks routinely, if he’s fit and well and healthy, why not?”

The pair finished third at Boekelo and were listed as reserves for Hong Kong before being called up to compete.

“Some high-profile people questioned my sanity taking him there, with the heat, the intensity and his age, but I thought, ‘I’m going to seize this opportunity’,” said Tina.

“There’s a certain naivety in a young horse – if they have that trust and belief in you before you go, they’ll try that bit harder for you.

“There were high-profile mistakes on cross-country day so – while I knew he’d get the trip – I knew I needed to hold his hand and not put too much pressure on him. In hindsight, I could have gone quicker – and I wasn’t a million miles off individual gold – but it’s easy to be wise with hindsight.

“And then on showjumping day, in the main stadium with the lights, and intensity, I had no idea if he’d go in and fall apart, but he performed above all expectations to jump two clear rounds and win two bronze medals.

“I was so proud of him – he was really thrown in the deep end as he hadn’t done a five-star or been exposed to anything like that.

“To come out and win the individual European title a year later was amazing. Germany had a disastrous week – I was even ahead of Michael Jung on that podium! – and I had a great one and that’s the name of the game at a championship.”

Looking back at Miners Frolic’s career, Tina said: “It was lucky for the horse that he came into our sport rather than racing, the one he was bred for, as I think he’d have been a bit slow as a racehorse and I’m not sure he’d have coped with that lifestyle. He gave us so much and had a super life.

“He was a very sensitive horse, but had a great temperament. He had so much going for him. The galloping across country was very easy for him and his technique improved as he got older – and jumping clears wins you medals.”

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

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

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

Miners Frolic, who won six medals for Britain in eventing with Tina Cook, was put down yesterday (26 May) at the age of 24.

“Arthritis had taken over and it was the right thing to do, but he will be greatly missed,” said Sarah Pelham, Miners Frolic’s co-owner who looked after “Henry” in all his holidays and throughout his retirement.

“He was a very special horse because he genuinely loved people. My little nephews would ride him up the drive, my grandson of 16 months was in the stable with him just recently – I never had any worries he would tread on them or bite them or anything.”

Sarah also paid tribute to the partnership Tina built with the horse: “The relationship Tina had with him was unbelievable – they were absolutely in tune and I’m not sure anybody else could have got anything like that out of him.

“He was basically a great big chicken – beautiful, quite a good mover, but not very brave. It was purely Tina’s encouragement and way of dealing with him that got him there. He couldn’t bear a stick or anything like that and had to be handled with kid gloves.”

The full thoroughbred Miners Frolic was bred by Maurice Pinto. He was by Miners Lamp out of the successful hunter chaser Mighty Frolic and Tina was offered him by Maurice as a youngster.

“She took him home – all gangly and gawky – rang me and said she had this unbroken four-year-old and was I interested?” explained Sarah, who bought half the horse with money she had inherited. Later Nicholas and Valda Embiricos bought the other half-share in Henry.

The horse was successful coming through the grades, including taking second at the young horse World Championships at Le Lion d’Angers as a seven-year-old.

But he really sprang to prominence in 2007 when he won a CIC3* (now CCI4*-L) at Gatcombe and was in the top three in the CCI3*s (now CCI4*-Ls) at Blenheim Horse Trials and Boekelo. He earned himself a reserve spot on the British squad for the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong and was called up from there to compete when he was just 10 years old.

“Hong Kong blew my head off – we never thought we’d be going to the 2008 Olympics,” remembered Sarah. “It was incredible because he was the new kid on the block and came out on top.”

Fault-free performances in both showjumping rounds bumped Tina and Miners Frolic up the order to take the individual bronze and they led the British squad to team bronze too.

The following year the pair scored their greatest individual success when they won individual gold at the European Championships in Fontainebleau, France, and led the Brits to team gold.

In 2010, Tina and Henry were team gold medallists at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, before a “major hiccup” when Miners Frolic came close to death in 2011.

He was due to compete at Badminton Horse Trials when he developed a lump on his withers and had to be withdrawn.

“No one knew if it was a bite or a sting or what and they pumped him full of antibiotics. Then he got colitis,” said Sarah. “Tina rang me and said he had gone to Arundel Equine Hospital and she wasn’t sure he’d be coming back. Then she rang and said he was still alive, but she thought we should go and say goodbye.

“I’ve never seen anything so dreadful – he had gone from a fit horse to a hat rack in a few days. The staff there were wonderful, they wouldn’t leave him and managed to pull him through. We weren’t sure if he’d ever compete again, but he went back to Tina for a couple of weeks near the end of the season and she then sent him home to me.”

Sarah nursed Miners Frolic back to full health, feeding him five times a day, and in the spring of 2012, the race was on to get him qualified for the London Olympics, which the pair achieved with a trip to Ireland for Ballindenisk’s February CCI3*, where they finished third.

The pair went on to finish sixth individually and take team silver at London. Henry’s final team appearance was the following year, at the Malmö European Championships, where he finished 13th.

Miners Frolic was retired after he suffered a heart fibrillation as he started building up to the 2014 season. He spent a happy retirement with Sarah, initially hacking out, and then out in the field with his full-sister, Mighty Oats, who was also bred by Maurice.

Sarah has bred four horses from Mighty Oats – Miners Frolic’s “nieces and nephews”. The second, a seven-year-old called Kilmington Folly, by Cevin Z, is competing in the CCI2*-L at Houghton this week with Tina, while a four-year-old by Chilli Morning will go to the Cooks later this summer for his early education and hopefully in the future be competed by Tina’s daughter Isabelle.

You might also be interested in:

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

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

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

Olympic medallist Tina Cook and her European team gold medal-winning ride Billy The Red are helping to inspire the next generation of riders at an inner-city riding club.

Following the success of equestrian sport at the Tokyo Olympics, Tina and the 14-year-old gelding surprised the young people of Brixton-based charity Ebony Horse Club with a visit. The charity uses riding and horses to help build young people’s life skills.

Tina gave a demonstration of riding and jumping Billy The Red, spent time teaching the young people and joined them on a group hack on one of the centre’s horses. The children also enjoyed trying on some of Tina’s medals.

“I’m here to show that riding can be for everybody, whether you live in the countryside with luscious fields and acres of land to ride over, or here in London. They’ve got lovely horses here for the children to come and have a taste of it and see if it’s what they want to do and if they have a passion for it,” said Tina.

“In the end it’s the passion and the hard work and dedication that goes into this sport – there are many people that have proved that, who have gone on to be the best in the world. I love my horses, I’ve worked very hard with them but I want the kids to realise that I enjoy mucking out, brushing, and the general everyday graft that goes with our sport. It’s not just keeping myself fit and healthy, it’s making sure the horses are fit and healthy.”

Ebony business and funding manager Naomi Howgate said it was “so inspiring” for the young people to meet Tina and Billy The Red.

“Having this beautiful horse being ridden by an Olympic rider in our arena, interacting and being taught by her really gives them a huge boost in their aspirations and ambitions,” she said.

Parent Julia said meeting Tina had given the children something to aspire to.

“When you meet someone it’s different from reading about it or seeing it on TV so I think that was really special,” she said.

You might also be interested in:

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

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

Tina Cook is one of Britain’s most successful event riders, with a numerous wins, placings and team call-ups to her name, including individual and team bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, followed by team silver at the London 2012 Olympics.

Looking back to 2008, Tina remembers being a late call up to represent her country in Hong Kong aboard Miners Frolic.

“I remember ‘Henry’ and I had to do our dressage at around 10pm due to the heat,” Tina explained, when H&H’s editor Pippa Roome chatted to her on episode 58 of The Horse & Hound podcast. “It was kind of strange – I was getting dressed to do dressage when usually I would be going to bed.”

Henry and Tina scored 40.2 in the first phase, which is the equivalent to 26.8 in modern day scoring.

“Bless him, he is such a kind, sweet horse and he absolutely tried his very, very best. He wasn’t the most supple of horses, but his beauty, good looks, and his fabulous temperament took him a long way.

“On cross-country day we had to move to a different area, so all the horses were loaded up and transported off to a golf course where the second phase was taking place, which was about 45 minutes away.

“There were a lot of twists and turns on the course, with quite slippery ground. There was quite a difficult water fence very early on, where you had to jump quite a big fence in and then jump a couple of houses on a difficult angle in the water, and I wondered how Henry was going to cope with that.

“I set off riding a young horse, wanting him not to be alarmed early on, with a plan to then pick up the pace the further I went. The most important thing for me was that I had plenty of petrol left in the tank left at the end, because there were a couple of really difficult combinations at the end of the course. He did finish full of running, and he absolutely took it all on – he was one of the quicker ones of the day – it was a magical day.”

Tina and Henry went into the final showjumping phase in 10th place and ultimately jumped their way into individual bronze medal position and helped the British clinch team bronze too.

“It makes me smile just even talking about it now,” said Tina. “It’s just mega and that feeling never goes away. It’s the sort of thing you dream of. Equally you have to keep your feet on the ground and you deal with it like it’s another competition – you can’t allow yourself to realise exactly what’s happening to and where you are.

“The crowds and the support were unbelievable – riding under those lights in the massive stadium in the middle of Hong Kong was truly magical. I was riding for my country and you have to put in your personal bests in to succeed and personal bests win medals, so it was my week. It really was.”

Continued below…

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If you’d like to hear more from Tina, listen here to episode 58 of The Horse and Hound podcast or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

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

Today (5 May) we should have been witnessing the first horse inspection in front of Badminton House for the opening day of the horse trials. However, with Badminton cancelled for a second year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we take a look back at the story of the 2019 event, in the riders’ own words with our favourite quotes.

“Nobody has a clue what you go through to be competitive at this level, to get your nose in front. You get used to saying well done to everyone else, going home, working away and thinking about living the dream another day” — Piggy French on her first win at five-star

“It’s little horses like this that make it for us. She’s a pain in the arse 352 days a year – she’s really tricky to manage and not the nicest to ride, though I say that so fondly. I love her to bits. She’s a true top-level horse and comes into her own at Badminton and Burghley. Most of the time, she’s pretty ordinary. If I built that showjumping course at home I could jump it 50 times and not jump clear” — Piggy on her winning ride, Trevor Dickens’ Vanir Kamira (pictured)

“He’s an insecure, sharp little horse. Balou Du Rouet offspring are known for being sharp, but that makes him extra-special when coming to a fence. That’s what I looked for when Elisabeth Murdoch said to find her another Olympic horse” – Tina Cook on Billy The Red, seventh

“I’m so lucky to be here at all and particularly to be here with two nice horses. I’ve had help to get back; I was quite slow and dozy, but now my enthusiasm and hunger to win is coming back. I have wondered why I’m eventing, what for and who for – it’s probably quite a selfish journey” – William Fox-Pitt on his two top-15 places with Little Fire and Oratorio, his first Badminton completions since his win in 2015 and his serious head injury that autumn

Badminton final scores

“I’ve never had luck here and have had some silly things happening. I always tell myself it’s not that important and it’s just another event, but there’s no doubt it’s the best event in the world and I’m stoked with the way my horses have performed” – Chris Burton after third and fifth with Cooley Lands and Graf Liberty

“I do torture myself quite a lot – last night I lay in bed and rode that test again and again and again” – Oliver Townend after setting his record-breaking leading dressage score of 19.7 on Cillnabradden Evo

“He tries hard, but is built like a wheelbarrow” – Laura Collett on Mr Bass, who was eighth after the first phase

“After we came back from the Sunshine Tour, the vets believed Waldo had West Nile virus, so three weeks ago I was told he was going to die. I lived in his stable 24/7 for 10 days” – Emma Hyslop-Webb, a first-timer who completed on Waldo III and Pennlands Douglas

“My easiest Badminton memory is stuffing myself in the members’ enclosure when Dad was vetting here and throwing up on the way home” – debutant Nick Lucey, who completed on Proud Courage

“There’s no worse feeling than Friday night and Saturday morning at Badminton, but no better one than crossing the line when a horse has tried his best for you” – cross-country pathfinder Pippa Funnell after a great round on Majas Hope

“As he grows up, he’d like more questions. He never says, ‘What?’ He always knows the answer” – William Fox-Pitt on Little Fire’s cross-country

“Vanir Kamira does her intermediates like a scopeless yak, but she becomes another horse at Badminton and Burghley – she shows off and says, ‘Come on Mum. what are you worried about?’” – more quote-a-minute comments from winner Piggy French

“She told me to stop patting her and use her for what she is, a great cross-country horse” – advice on the way to the start for Virginia Richardson, from compatriot Jonelle Price. She delivered with a clear in the time

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“I’d been enjoying myself too much and was way down on the clock coming to The Lake, but I pressed go, and even with the great Armada, I’ve never had a feeling like it. He opened his stride and went faster than I’ve ever finished a five-star in my life” – Oliver Townend on a fantastic ride with runner-up Ballaghmor Class

“It’s not always pretty, but he jumps the fences and you’ve got to go with the flow sometimes. It doesn’t matter where he puts his head, it’s up to him if he wants to look at the jump” – William Fox-Pitt on his round with Oratorio

“He’s a legend and I adore him. He’s so genuine and so desperately wants to do what you ask” – Nicky Hill on MGH Bingo Boy. She took the best British first-timer prize in 18th

“I was very aware of the time – I could get time-faults in a dressage test” – Tina Cook on her fault-free showjumping round with Billy The Red

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

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

The advanced sections at Aston-le-Walls on 31 March oozed quality as five-star and championship horses came out to play in the sun.

Let’s have a look at the superstars who were competing…

Harry continues his comeback after his serious head injury last autumn as he rides Superstition, with whom he won a four-star long at Strzegom in 2019.

Mr Bass was second at Luhmühlen Horse Trials five-star in 2018 and has won three times at four-star short level.

This pair have completed Burghley Horse Trials four times and Badminton Horse Trials once and The Lion is now a grand old campaigner at 19.

This pair have been 11th in the under-25s at Bramham Horse Trials and completed the cross-country at two five-stars.

Xavier Faer, who has been third at five-star twice, is one of the horses Tim has on the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2021 entries list.

Reve Du Rouet has completed 12 five-stars, finishing fourth at Burghley twice and second at Pau Horse Trials.

Billy The Red is a European team gold and silver medallist and also finished ninth individually at the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

This pair were 18th on their Badminton debut in 2019.

This pair won Badminton in 2019 and have been second at Burghley twice.

Banzai Du Loir was the eight- and nine-year-old champion at Burnham Market Horse Trials last autumn.

This combination won Burghley in 2019.

Kevin and Scuderia 1918 were seventh at Pau in 2019 and second in the CCI4*-S at Burnham Market last autumn. They head to Kentucky later this month.

This horse was third in a CCI4*-S at Little Downham last autumn and is on Ireland’s Tokyo long list.

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Mollie and Charly were 10th at Pau on their five-star debut last year.

This pair were the runners-up at Pau last year.

And just for fun…

We love this mare, who definitely breaks the mould for what an advanced horse normally looks like.

Pictures by Peter Nixon

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find out more about getting the magazine delivered to your door every week.

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

The former European champion reflects on seeking improvement rather than perfection, being hungry for knowledge and letting horses be horses

I’m lucky both my parents were highly successful in the equestrian world — my late father Josh Gifford was champion jump jockey four times and a Grand National-winning trainer, and my mother Althea was on victorious showjumping Nations Cup teams.

Dad always said never to stop learning, and I find it fascinating talking to other riders and those who are successful in other areas of life. I’m hungry to learn. Dad also said to be patient, a quality many people lack. You need to learn when a horse is trying for you and that success isn’t instant.

When you’re 16, being 50 sounds completely over the hill to be doing this sport. I wish I’d known then that there is no such thing as the perfect horse. At 16, you expect every training session to be perfect and you can put too much pressure on your horse. You have to learn to accept improvement to create harmony.

I’ve learnt that just because an approach works for one horse, it might not work for another. You can set up a grid and one horse can do it easily and another will struggle, but both might be top class. I hate giving up on a horse and relish the challenge of getting the best out of them.

I was brought up riding thoroughbreds, and this made me obsessed with getting horses to use their backs; it makes so much difference in their performance. I like to spend time improving suppleness in a horse’s flatwork before seeing if he can jump, as all too often the jump is disappointing and there is temptation to give up with it.

I enjoyed sport at school, but if I pushed my body I suffered stiffness. So I learnt if you work a horse hard one day, it’s beneficial to give his body and brain time to absorb that work. Vary horses’ work so they enjoy their job.

I like to put horses in the field as much as possible and let them be horses. Even if it’s wet and muddy, they can be wrapped up warm, but I believe letting them move around contributes to my horses’ good soundness record.

Show day routines

Whatever time I leave for a competition, I always make myself have a bowl of cereal. I am the only driver of my lorry and I don’t like eating when I’m competing, so I might not eat again all day.

Sometimes I visualise my dressage test during the final countdown warming up — nerves can make you have a sudden panic about where to go. Knowing the test leads to riding positively.

I didn’t have to search outside my family for a riding icon, but I looked up to Lucinda Green, because of her ability to ride so many different types of horses.

If I could have one horse over again, it would be General Jock. We bought him as a four-year-old from Doncaster Sales and he went to the 1994 World Equestrian Games when he was nine and I was 24.

He led overnight at Burghley once; he was a fantastic cross-country horse but could have rails down showjumping. Who knows if that would be different now that I have more experience?

Ref Horse & Hound; 13 February 2020

Britain took the team silver medal in a tight finish at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen, Germany today (Sunday, 1 September).

By the time Team GBR’s final rider, Oliver Townend entered the arena with Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class, he had to jump clear to guarantee the silver. But the horse ended up blundering through the plank at fence eight, briefly dropping Britain to bronze.

But when France’s Thibaut Vallette had the oxer at fence five down, France dropped out the medal reckoning altogether and Britain was back up to silver.

“I’m very disappointed to have the plank down, especially in that fashion, but for the team it’s a fantastic result,” said Oliver.

Piggy French and Pippa Funnell, who provided Britain’s other two counting scores, also had a fence down apiece today.

“I thought it was a bit small when I walked the course and it felt like it took him six fences to wake up,” said Piggy, who had the second part of the double at fence four down on Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo.

Pippa took out the first part of the double at fence 10 on her own and Marek Sebastak’s Majas Hope, as did many riders.

“I should have jumped clear — any horse can have one down, but it’s just frustrating,” she said.

Individual rider Kitty King finished best of the Brits in seventh with Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s Vendredi Biats. She showjumped clear today.

“I’m just delighted with him, he went so well in there,” she said.

Germany took the team gold and the top two individual medals, but Ingrid Klimke and Michael Jung swapped places when overnight leader Michael had the fence 10b down on FischerChipmunk FRH and slipped to silver, handing gold to Ingrid and SAP Hale Bob OLD.

Ingrid becomes the second rider to win the European Championship individual title in back to back runnings on the same horse. The first was Pippa Funnell.

“Bobby is so wonderful — he jumped so well,” said Ingrid. “My jumping trainer and I walked course together like we did two years before in Strzegom so I felt really secure and safe, so everything was perfect.”

Ireland’s Cathal Daniels’ clear today earned him his first individual senior medal, a bronze, with the fabulous mare Rioghan Rua.

“The whole week went to plan — which was to finish on our dressage score — so I’m very happy,” he said.

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Tina Cook, who was Britain’s discard score after her run-out across country yesterday, jumped clear on Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red.

“He is a brilliant jumper and nearly always goes clear,” she said.

Check back for final stories from the Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen later today, plus full report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 5 September), including exclusive opinion from ground jury president Martin Plewa and Mark Phillips.

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

Five horses have been withdrawn before the final showjumping phase at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships today (Sunday, 1 September).

There was drama for Ireland at the horse inspection this morning. Team rider Ciaran Glynn did not present November Night, who he said was “just not quite right” after her super clear in the time yesterday.

Then Sam Watson’s ride Tullabeg Flamenco was sent to the holding box. Had he been spun, the whole team would have been effectively eliminated, as they would have been carrying a score of 1000 for a non-finisher, but the dun passed on re-inspection.

Ireland now has to count Sam’s score instead of Ciaran’s, which drops their team score from 103.3 to 121. They keep the same position in the team standings, sixth, but are now significantly behind the medal positions rather than challenging the top three nations.

France too have lost a team member. Alexis Goury’s ride Trompe L’Oeil D’Emery was sent to the holding box this morning and he then withdrew.

This only drops France’s team score by 2.2 penalties, as overnight discard score pair Karim Florent Laghouag and Punch De L’Esques recorded a score only 2.2 penalties worse than Alexis at the end of yesterday. France keep team bronze, still less than a fence behind Britain.

Three other horses were also withdrawn before the horse inspection this morning. They were Cruising (the ride of Spanish individual Manuel Senra Chover), Cosma (the ride of Austrian individual Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati) and Dunkas A (the ride of the Czech Repuplic’s individual Eliška Opravilová).

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The first session of showjumping starts at 11.15am local time this morning (10.15am in Britain). Britain’s Tina Cook will jump in this session with Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red.

Britain’s other four riders — Pippa Funnell (her own and Marek Sebastak’s Majas Hope), Kitty King (Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s Vendredi Biats), Piggy French (Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo) and Oliver Townend (Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class) — will jump in the afternoon session for the top 25, which starts at 1.55pm local time (12.55pm British time).

Check back for more updates from the Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen later today, plus full report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 5 September).

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

Britain holds the team silver position after cross-country day (Saturday, 31 August) at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen, Germany, but Team GBR is less than a penalty ahead of the chasing pack.

After clears inside the time from Pippa Funnell and Piggy French, the wheels slightly came off the British challenge in the third team rider rotation when Tina Cook had a run-out at the arrowhead coming out of the second water, the Meßmer Teich (fence 12abc) on Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red.

“I don’t know what to say except I’m very disappointed I let the whole team down,” said Tina.

Britain’s fortunes were revived when the final competitors headed out and Oliver Townend put in a fault-free round on Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class.

“Everything went 100% to plan — boring for you, a relief for me,” said Oliver.

Germany’s leading pair, Michael Jung (FischerChipmunk FRH) and Ingrid Klimke (SAP Hale Bob OLD), both went clear inside the time to retain the individual gold and silver positions and confirm Germany in team gold as the day came to a close.

“It was nice to see how many people came out to support our sport,” said Michael of riding in front of the enthusiastic home crowd. “FischerChipmunk was amazing today.”

Germany holds the gold by a margin of 14.3 penalties, but the current bronze medal holders, the French, are just 0.8 of a penalty behind Britain. Pippa Funnell’s score on Majas Hope is now a counting one for Britain after Tina’s penalties; Pippa jumped clear inside the time on Marek Sebastak’s horse as Team GBR’s pathfinder.

France’s Thibaut Vallette also sits in the individual bronze position on Qing Du Briot ENE HN.

In the individual standings, Oliver Townend is fifth, with Piggy French and Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo ninth. Oliver is just 1.8 penalties behind Thibaut in bronze, with the Netherlands’ Tim Lips (Bayro) between them in fourth.

Laura Collett lost her provisional bronze medal with a fall today on Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and her own Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott’s and her own London 52.

But Britain’s second individual fared better when Kitty King came home just 2.4 time-penalties to sit 10th overnight on Vendredi Biats, who belongs to Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker.

“I had to hold his hand a bit because he’s only 10 and green at this level, but I’m just delighted with him,” said Kitty.

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The competition concludes with the showjumping tomorrow, after the final horse inspection where the ground jury decide if the horses are fit to continue in the competition.

Check back for more updates from the Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen later and tomorrow, plus full report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 5 September).

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

With the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen (28 August-1 September) in full-swing, riders have now had the opportunity to walk this year’s cross-country course, designed by Mike Etherington-Smith.

We caught up with some of the competitors to find out what they think about this year’s track…

Piggy French: “I think the course is tough. It’s a proper championship track and I think there will be problems everywhere. It’s definitely a course that you walk and have to think about really hard. You have to keep your foot to the metal here with the twists and the waters are decent — you have to make sure the jump in is good to make sure the rest comes off. I’ll think we’ll have to fight for it.”

Laura Collett: “I think the waters are the main big questions — the first one will surprise horses as they have a long gallop in the woods beforehand and they’ll almost switch off before they come to it and that really sets the tone for the whole way round.”

Michael Jung: “The water jumps are always spectacular here, but I think the questions at the end, especially if you are fighting for the time, then the horses will be more open and you will quickly have a run out. It’s very well-built with lots of different questions, but it’s very clear and fair.”

Pippa Funnell: “It’s a little bit different from the recent years of competition at Luhmühlen in that the course is going in the opposite direction and we have three very nice fences to start with and then over 1min15sec galloping through the woods uphill and then a steep downhill to the first water which will be a real question as suddenly it will hit you with all the crowds. It very technical all the way round with plenty of narrow fences — it’s intense and we’ll have to be on it the whole way. It feels as though the time will be tight too.”

Tina Cook: “I think it’s a very strong course — there are a lot of places where you could have a silly mistake. The way the fences are placed on the terrain mean that you could just meet a question slightly wrong.”

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Ciaran Glynn: “It’s technical and it seems like Mike Etherington-Smith has put questions in bunches — you have a nice run and then get two or three questions back-to-back. The main water at the Meßmer Pond is a proper question — the skinny in the water on a curving four strides from a big drop. The main arena is also a good question with a corner, table, corner combination, all curving right, four strides to three strides. And even up to the second last which is a real good double of angled hedges with an acute angle on them — horses will be getting tired by this stage, more to do with the heat than the trip.”

The cross-country gets underway at 10am (9am BST) tomorrow morning (31 August).

Check back for more updates from the Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen all week, plus full report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 5 September).

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

The Longines FEI European Eventing Championships cross-country times have been revealed for tomorrow’s action in Luhmühlen, Germany.

British team’s times:

• Pippa Funnell with her own and Marek Sebastak’s Majas Hope: 10.32am local time (9.32am British time)
• Piggy French with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo:11.48am local time (10.48am British time)
• Tina Cook with Elisabeth Murdoch’s Billy The Red: 1.44pm local time (12.44pm British time)
• Oliver Townend with Angela Hislop’s Cooley Masterclass: 3.04pm local time (2.04pm British time)

British individuals’ times:

• Laura Collett with Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and her own London 52: 12.24pm local time (11.24am British time)
• Kitty King with Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s Vendredi Biats: 2.04pm local time (1.04pm British time)

Laura is the best-placed of the British riders at the close of the dressage phase, sitting in individual bronze position.

Germany’s dressage leader Michael Jung will head out on FischerChipmunk FRH at 1.16pm (12.16pm British time), with his compatriot Ingrid Klimke — the current silver medal holder on SAP Hale Bob OLD — on 2.44pm (1.44pm British time).

Full times and results from the European Eventing Championships

The first Irish rider on course will be Ciaran Glynn on November Night, at 10.24am (9.24am British time), with the other team members following at 11.40am (10.40am British time) for Sarah Ennis on Horseware Woodcourt Garrison, 1.36pm (12.36pm British time) for Cathal Daniels on Rioghan Rua and 2.56pm (1.56pm British time) for Sam Watson on Tullabeg Flamenco.

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Would you jump this? Pictures of every fence on the European Eventing Championships cross-country course

Check out our full picture gallery of every jump on the cross-country course for the European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen

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The action tomorrow over Mike Etherington-Smith’s cross-country course starts at 10am (9am British time) and is scheduled to finish around 3.30pm (2.30pm) if there are no significant holds.

Riders have flagged up the water fences — there are four, although only three actual ponds as one of them is crossed twice — as likely to be the most influential obstacles on the course.

Check back for more updates from the Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen all week, plus full report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 5 September).

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

As Tina Cook embarks on her fifth senior European Eventing Championships at this week’s Longines FEI European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen (28 August-1 September), we took some time to reflect with Tina about her double gold victory with Miners Frolic 10 years ago.

The European Championships in 2009 were held at Fontainebleau, in France, and came a year after Tina won double bronze at the 2008 Hong Kong Olympics on the gelding, known as Henry at home.

“Winning two medals on him at the Olympics was a miracle in itself,” says Tina. “We were called up to those Games as reserves and he was only 10 at the time. For him to jump two clear showjumping rounds under the lights was remarkable for such a young and inexperienced horse — it really was an example of what dreams are made of. So with that result under our belts, I was hopeful of us going well at the 2009 Europeans.

“As it was, the German team had a bit of a disaster in Fontainebleau, with the result not going their way. Henry joint-led the dressage with Oliver Townend and Flint Curtis sharing our score — Henry was a more relaxed character than the horse I have at these championships, Billy The Red.

“Henry was a great, fast cross-country horse and a good jumper and every medal I have won during my career has been on horses I have produced myself — it’s such a special feeling and to win any medal is amazing, but each medal I have won has had its own unique meaning and feeling depending on each horse’s character and the team around me at that moment in time.”

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Tina shares her advice to anyone who might find themselves in the incredible position of winning a medal or topping any podium.

“You really need to totally absorb every moment — standing on that podium, watching the Union Jack going up, with the national anthem playing is so special. My father was an emotional person and so am I and I have passed it onto my kids too — life goes on again as normal when you get home from those victories so it’s so important to make the most of those highs. So much hard work, disappointment and heartache goes into what we do, so when it goes well, that gives us the hunger to keep going and be the best.”

Check back for more updates from the Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen all week, plus full report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 5 September).

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

Tina Cook’s test this morning at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships has lifted the Brits to bronze in the team standings after the third rotation of team riders.

Tina scored 28.3 with Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red to take fifth individually. The rider did a masterful job in keeping the lid on the horse during the test as he looked extremely sharp.

“He’s naturally a bright, excitable horse, which makes him a good jumper. This is his most difficult phase and although he’s 12, he’s still a young horse in my eyes,” said Tina.

“He tries his best, but gets a little spooky and he felt the atmosphere. When he’s relaxed, he can be a mark better all the way through, but I’m pleased he held it together and produced a solid test.”

Michael Jung put in a superb test this morning on FischerChipmunk FRH — marred only by a jog in the extended walk — to take the individual lead on 20.9 and push Germany to the top of the team leaderboard.

“It’s difficult to get the balance between positive power and calmness — you need to take a bit of risk, but you also need relaxation. I liked everything except the walk today!” said Michael.

Cathal Daniels also rode a brilliant test on the lively little mare Rioghan Run this morning, putting himself into eighth individually. Ireland currently sit sixth in the team standings.

Overnight leaders Belgium have dropped to second as a team, while British individual Laura Collett retains the individual silver position on London 52, albeit 4.6 penalties behind Michael.

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The second British individual, Kitty King, will be the first rider in after the lunchbreak, on Vendredi Biats.

The fourth rotation of team riders includes Team GBR’s Oliver Townend on Cooley Master Class, defending European champions Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD for Germany and France’s Nicolas Touzaint — a double European champion in 2003 and 2007 riding Galan De Sauvagère — on Absolut Gold HDC.

Check back for more updates from the Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen all week, plus full report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 5 September).

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

The British team order for the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships has been released.

The chosen quartet who will ride on the British team are Pippa Funnell (Majas Hope), Piggy French (Quarrycrest Echo), Tina Cook (Billy The Red) and Oliver Townend (Cooley Master Class).

Laura Collett (London 52) and Kitty King (Vendredi Biats) will ride as individuals.

The British squad’s dressage times are as follows:

• Pippa Funnell with her own and Marek Sebastak’s Majas Hope: Thursday, 10.45am local time, 9.45am British time
• Piggy French with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo: Thursday, 2.31pm local time, 1.31pm British time
• Laura Collett with Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and her own London 52: Thursday, 3.46.30pm local time, 2.36.30pm British time
• Tina Cook with Elisabeth Murdoch’s Billy The Red: Friday, 12.07.30pm local time, 11.07.30am British time
• Kitty King with Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s Vendredi Biats: Friday, 1.45pm local time, 12.45pm British time
• Oliver Townend with Angela Hislop’s Cooley Masterclass: Friday, 3.45.30pm local time, 2.45pm British time

Britain is drawn ninth of the 12 teams, but Spain, Austria and Finland only have three team members each so those nations all sit out the first rider rotation. Pippa is the seventh rider into the arena tomorrow morning.

All times and results from the European Eventing Championships

Germany will field Andreas Dibowski (FRH Corrida) as their first team rider tomorrow at 10.15am (9.15am British time), followed by Kai Rüder (Colani Sunrise) at 1.53pm (12.53pm British time). Their big hitters both come forward on Friday, with Michael Jung (FischerChipmunk FRH) at 11.30am (10.30am British time) and Ingrid Klimke (SAP Hale Bob OLD) at 3.08pm (2.08pm British time).

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One horse asked to trot twice at European Eventing Championships first trot-up

The ground jury inspected 73 horses at the first trot-up for the European Eventing Championships in Germany this afternoon

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The first person into the arena tomorrow will be the guinea pig rider Nicolai Aldinger at 9.40am (8.40am British time) — he is not actually competing, but performs the test to allow officials to check their systems and the ground jury to get their eye in.

The first competitor down the centreline is Dutch team rider Merel Blom on Chiccolino at 10am (9am British time).

Check back for more updates from the Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen all week, plus full report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 5 September).

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

One horse was asked to trot twice at the first horse inspection for the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships this afternoon (Wednesday, 28 August) at Luhmühlen, Germany.

The ground jury asked the final French rider, Karim Florent Laghouag, to head down the runway for a second time with Punch De L’Esques, but the horse was then passed.

The British horses — Billy The Red (Tina Cook), Cooley Master Class (Oliver Townend), London 52 (Laura Collett), Quarrycrest Echo (Piggy French), Vendredi Biats (Kitty King) and Majas Hope (Pippa Funnell) — all looked in good form. An announcement is expected imminently about which four riders and horses will form the British team and which two will compete soley as individuals.

The ground jury president is Germany’s Martin Plewa, with Denmark’s Anne-Mette Binder and Australia’s Peter Andrew Shaw also on the jury.

They inspected 73 horses from 17 different nations this afternoon and all will now go forward to the dressage phase. Twelve countries field a team with the other five bringing forward just one or two individual riders.

The trot-up strip at Luhmühlen is tightly wedged between the permanent grandstand and the arena and several horses found it difficult to contain themselves in the highly charged atmosphere.

The crowd were asked to keep quiet for Rioghan Rua, the ride of Ireland’s Cathal Daniels, and Punch De L’Esques. Josera’s Entertain You, the ride of German individual Jörg Kurbel, reared up when he was back out in the arena after leaving the strip.

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Temperatures in Luhmühlen are touching around 31ºC today and with warm weather predicted all week, staying cool will be a priority for riders and horses.

Check back for more updates from the Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen all week, plus full report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 5 September).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Owner-riders rule Corinthian Cup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The British squad has been named for this year’s eventing European Championships at Luhmühlen, Germany (28 August-1 September 2019). The six riders and horses selected are as follows:

• Laura Collett with Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and her own London 52 (groom: Zanie King)
  
• Tina Cook with Elisabeth Murdoch’s Billy The Red (groom: Rachel Tolley)
  
• Piggy French with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo, with Trevor Dickens’ Vanir Kamira as a direct reserve horse (groom: Amy Phillips)
  
• Kitty King with Diana Bown, Sally Eyre, Samantha Wilson and Sally Lloyd-Baker’s Vendredi Biats (groom: Chloe Fry)
• Tom McEwen with Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns and Tom’s mother Alison’s Toledo De Kerser (groom: Lucy Seddon)
  
• Oliver Townend with Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class, with Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class as a direct reserve horse (grooms: Suzanne Cooper and Charlotte Hollyfield)
  

The reserves are:

• Alex Bragg with Philip and Sally Ellicott’s Zagreb
• Sarah Bullimore with Christopher and Susan Gillespie and Sarah’s husband Brett’s Reve De Rouet
• Pippa Funnell with Marek Sebastak and her own Majas Hope
• Tom McEwen with Barbara Cooper’s Figaro Van Het Broekxhof

Four of the pairs will make up the British team with the other two competing as individuals only. The final decision about who is on the team and who rides as an individual is made during the week of the event.

All the selected riders have made appearances on British squads before, while three of the horses — London 52, Vendredi Biats and Cooley Master Class — will be at their first championship.

Laura and London 52 won the Event Rider Masters at Chatsworth this spring and put in an impressive showing at Aachen, where he was denied a win by a late run-out across country. Kitty and Vendredi Biats claimed the CCI4*-L at Bramham in June and recently took the CCI4*-S at Burgham. Oliver and Cooley Master Class have won the five-star at Kentucky twice.

Two of the pairs were part of Britain’s world gold medal-winning team last year — Piggy French with Quarrycrest Echo and Tom McEwen with Toledo De Kerser. Tina Cook and Billy The Red were team gold medal-winners for Britain at the 2017 European Championships and scored a top-10 result as individuals at last year’s World Equestrian Games.

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Performance manager Dickie Waygood said: “I am very excited about the squad selection, which includes four senior gold medallists from recent championships. It allows Team GBR to be competitive while still investing in the future, with several horses receiving their first team call-up.

“While Tokyo 2020 qualification is already secured, this European Championships is an important part of our Olympic preparations, so I’d like to thank all the riders and their owners for making their horses available for selection.”

British Eventing chief executive Jude Matthews commented: “We were extremely lucky to have so many great combinations on the nominated entries list for selection for these Europeans, and I must thank all our loyal owners for making their horses available for selection.

“Whilst it is inevitably a disappointment for those who have not made the team, I am delighted for those selected and wish them every success.”

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

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Pippa Funnell will be the pathfinder at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (1-5 May 2019), riding MGH Grafton Street, Majas Hope or Billy Walk On.

The draw was broadcast on Facebook Live at 2pm today (15 April), with double Badminton winner Mary King and this year’s technical delegate Marcin Konarski pulling out the numbers and Rupert Bell compèring.

Tina Cook will be second out on course, with either Star Witness or Calvino II, while Emma Hyslop-Webb will make her Badminton debut as the third rider to start.

All horses were given a number, which run from one to 107, even though there will be a maximum of 85 starters.

Pippa Funnell, Tina Cook, Tim Price and Oliver Townend still have more than two horses entered, but each rider can only start on two mounts so will have to narrow down their selection. The draw has been done in such a way that they will definitely have one horse at the start and one at the end of the competition, as do all the other two-horse riders.

Badminton final scores

There are still 13 horses on the Badminton waiting list. These replace pairs who withdraw up until 2pm on the Sunday before the event.

COMPLETE DRAW

1, 2 or 3 Pippa Funnell on MGH Grafton Street, Majas Hope or Billy Walk On

4 or 5 Tina Cook on Star Witness or Calvino II (waiting list)

6 Emma Hyslop-Webb on Waldo III

7, 8 or 9 Oliver Townend on Cooley Master Class, Ballaghmor Class or Cillnabradden Evo

10 Gemma Tattersall on Arctic Soul

11 Izzy Taylor on Call Me Maggie May

12 or 13 Tim Price on Bango or Xavier Faer

14 Tom Crisp on Coolys Luxury

15 William Fox-Pitt on Little Fire

16 Chris Burton on Graf Liberty

17 Camille Lejeune on Tahina Des Isles

18 Jim Newsam on Magennis

19 Nicky Roncoroni on Watts Burn

20 Nicola Wilson on Bulana

21 Emily King on Dargun

22 Simon Grieve on Drumbilla Metro

23 Ben Hobday on Harelaw Wizard

24 Merel Blom on Rumour Has It

25 Jonelle Price on Classic Moet

26 Hazel Towers on Simply Clover (waiting list)

27 Dag Albert on Mitras Eminem (waiting list)

28 Louise Romeike on Wieloch’s Utah Sun

29 Harry Meade on Away Cruising

30 Becky Woolven on Charlton Down Riverdance (waiting list)

31 Ciaran Glynn on November Night

32 Piggy French on Vanir Kamira

33 Jesse Campbell on Cleveland

34 Louise Milne Home on King Eider (waiting list)

35 Tom Jackson on Carpa Du Buisson Z

36 Richard Jones on Alfies Clover

37 Nicky Hill on MGH Bingo Boy

38 Millie Dumas on Artistiek

39 Malin Josefsson on Golden Midnight

40 Julia Norman on Carryon Bobby Boy

41 Clara Loiseau on Wont Wait

42 Tom McEwen on Toledo De Kerser

43 Michael Ryan on Dunlough Striker (waiting list)

44 Clare Abbott on Euro Prince

45 Hanna Berg on Quite Survivor

46 Kitty King on Vendredi Biats

47 Pietro Sandei on Rubis De Prere

48 Joseph Murphy on Sportsfield Othello

49 Selena O’Hanlon on Foxwood High

50 Caroline Powell on On The Brash

51 Willa Newton on Chance Remark

52 Katie Preston on Templar Justice

53 Padraig McCarthy on Mr Chunky

54 Matthew Heath on The Lion (waiting list)

55 Virginia Thompson on Star Nouveau

56 Will Furlong on Collien P 2

57 Alicia Hawker on Charles RR

58 Mark Todd on NZB Campino

59 Andrew Nicholson on Swallow Springs

60 Sarah Bullimore on Reve Du Rouet

61 Kirsty Short on Cossan Lad (waiting list)

62 Bill Levett on Lassban Diamond Lift

63 Jenny Caras on Fernhill Fortitude

64 David Britnell on Continuity

65 Alex Bragg on Zagreb

66 Kazuma Tomoto on Tacoma D’Horset

67 Georgie Spence on Halltown Harley

68 Arianna Schivo on Quefira De L’Ormeau

69 Laura Collett on Mr Bass

70 Emily Parker on Cryptonite

71 Caroline Clark on Touch Too Much

72 Sam Griffiths on Billy Liffy

73 Emily Philp on Camembert

74 Louise Harwood on Balladeer Miller Man

75 Imogen Murray on Ivar Gooden

76 Tamra Smith on Wembley

77 Alice Dunsdon on Cool Investment (waiting list)

78 Wills Oakden on Cooley Ramiro

79 Harry Mutch and HD Bronze

80 Ingrid Klimke on SAP Hale Bob OLD

81 Isabel English on Feldale Mouse

82 Sebastien Cavaillon on Sarah D’Argouges

83 James Sommerville on Talent

84 Kai Rüder on Colani Sunrise

85 Toshiyuki Tanaka and Kelecyn Pirate

86 Regis Prud’hon on Kaiser HDB 4175

87 Ellen Cameron on Hanleen Crown Jewels

88 Warren Lamperd on Silvia (waiting list)

89 Nicholas Lucey on Proud Courage

90 Michael Owen on Bradeley Law

91 Savannah Fulton on Captain Jack (waiting list)

92 Nana Dalton on Absolut Opposition (waiting list)

93 Tom Rowland on Possible Mission

94 or 95 Tim Price on Ringwood Sky Boy or Xavier Faer

96, 97 or 98 Oliver Townend on Ulises, Ballaghmor Class or Cillnabradden Evo

99 Gemma Tattersall on Pamero 4

100 Tom Crisp on Liberty And Glory

101 or 102 Tina Cook on Billy The Red or Calvino II (waiting list)

103 William Fox-Pitt on Oratorio

104 Izzy Taylor on Springpower

105 Pippa Funnell on Billy Beware, Majas Hope or Billy Walk On

106 Chris Burton on Cooley Lands

107 Emma Hyslop-Webb on Pennlands Douglas (waiting list)

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The form guide, with details of every horse and rider competing, will be in the following issue (2 May).

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

1. It’s good to have an aim, a six-month goal. Goals are important, but they should be realistic and flexible. Be confident at one level in all three phases before you move up or you will get caught out at some point; don’t go to an event just because that’s what you planned if you’re not ready. If you have owners, discuss this openly with them and share your thought process on what is right for each horse.

2. When you first get on, trot round with the horse long and low and stretching for five or 10 minutes. This will allow the horse to give with his back and build up muscle. Then when the horse comes up into a contact, his back is pliable and you can sit on the trot if you need to do so. If the horse is tense in trot, work him in canter first. Use the most comfortable pace to achieve relaxation.

3. Make lungeing part of the horses routine, so if you are late arriving or in a rush, a horse can be lunged — it can be a useful short cut.

4. You have to be able to put the leg on and get a reaction. If the horse isn’t going forward, give him a jolly good kick, rather than nagging — no one wants to be nagged. Then you can slow the trot down again.

5. It’s important the horse understands what is right and wrong. You want to get horses on side, not for them to be confused and the rider frustrated. I can’t bear to see people being rough with horses. If it gets to a point where the horse is agitated — or even where I am agitated — I stop, walk and think about how I can do this differently.

6. Reward horses when they do something right. And use one smack behind the leg to punish bad behaviour — such as running out at an obstacle they have already jumped several times successfully. Don’t punish a genuine mistake. Repeat the exercise, put the fence down if necessary and start again.

7. It’s important horses can jump out of walk, trot and canter. Jumping out of walk is hideous, I have to make myself do it. But it teaches the rider to react quickly when the horse takes off. It gets horses to push off their hocks and is useful for ones who rush. And it gives horses confidence they can jump a rail or ditch or drop from walk if they have to, even though it’s not the ideal pace.

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8. Don’t build fences to catch a horse out at home — confidence is everything. And don’t set up fences so you have to pull away from them. Horses need to learn to look at fences with a view to jumping them.

9. If a horse is strong, get a feel in the hand in the warm-up so it doesn’t go from nothing in the warm-up to strong in ring.

10. If you are doing a single fence exercise, don’t keep going for more than eight jumps without a break. If it hasn’t gone well by then, it’s not going to go better for doing it 15 more times. If it’s really not going well, there’s always another day.

11. Be strict on straightness on basic exercises.

12. My horses give the extra inch because we have a partnership and it’s fun. As a rider, my job is to train each horse to be the best it can. And training has to be enjoyable for horses.

Tina shared these tips during a masterclass organised by the British Eventing (BE) Charitable Foundation at Merrist Wood in Surrey. There are two BE masterclasses left this winter — 14 December at Kingston Maurward, Dorset, with Lucinda Green and 16 February 2019 at the Scottish National EC, Broxburn, with Andrew Nicholson.

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

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1. There is a key to every horse. There are few bad horses in the world, but some have bad starts. Look at the positives in horses, they have more to give.

2. Horses generally can jump and we are lucky in eventing that we can train the horses if they have the will to please. Some top horses are not the most talented. Quite often the horses that jump very spectacularly are more difficult to keep sound in eventing. They need to be economical cross-country.

3. You can always keep learning. My father, champion jockey Josh Gifford, taught me that.

4. I like to learn how each horse ticks. Try to individualise each horse.

5. Confidence is the most important thing. Jumping little fences seems boring, but I do lots of exercises over small fences. Horses will jump better at a competition if they arrive confident.

6. Some horses take more time than others and you can’t rush them. I spent ages getting bucketloads of time-faults on Carraig Dubh — an ex-racehorse who cost £800 — and teaching him not to rush, but he went on to go three-star with me, go to the Olympics with Sam Albert and then be a schoolmaster for a young rider. Similarly my 2009 European champion Miners Frolic was not naturally brave — he was a real windbag as a young horse — but he learnt to trust me.

7. Ex-racehorses have often failed in their first career and haven’t enjoyed it. It can take a bit of time for them to mentally adjust and realise being ridden and being asked to do things can be fun.

8. I love a neckstrap. You don’t want to jab horse in the mouth because you’ve lost balance when the horse spooks. Horses can also learn to steady if you pull on the neckstrap, then you can have as nice a hand as possible.

9. Spooking is a natural reaction and some horses will always be spooky. It’s frustrating, but don’t tell them off. Be gentle. You can press on and expect them to work even if they are not fully settled. Captivate their attention by doing things.

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10. Horses which trip a lot are usually stiff in the back. It’s amazing how tripping can improve when horses are less stiff in the back and remember to lift their legs up.

11. I tend to ride in spurs. As a rider you need to learn to use them. You will soon learn when you’ve got it wrong as horses kick out — or you get bucked off!

12. Think about what you can do better. What can I learn from what just happened?

13. The rider mustn’t be a hindrance to the horse. Be honest with yourself about fitness — if you are aching at the end of the course or out of breath you need to do something about it. I stay fit from riding and because I’ve been riding every day as a job since I was 16, but if you are working, you can build it into your day. Put your stirrups up short and canter round like that. Ride without stirrups on the lunge.

Tina shared her insight during a masterclass organised by the British Eventing (BE) Charitable Foundation at Merrist Wood in Surrey. There are two BE masterclasses left this winter — 14 December at Kingston Maurward, Dorset, with Lucinda Green and 16 February 2019 at the Scottish National EC, Broxburn, with Andrew Nicholson.

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

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

Ros Canter showjumped clear today (Monday, 17 September) in the final phase of the Mars-sponsored eventing at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) to secure team gold for Great Britain — and individual gold for herself.

By the time Ros entered the arena on her own and Caroline Moore’s Allstar B, she had a fence in hand to secure the team gold, but only a clear could ensure she kept an individual medal. She kept her cool to deliver a fault-free performance.

“It’s a surreal day for me — I’m proud for my country and excited for the whole team around me and everyone who’s put so much into this,” said Ros.

The leader after cross-country, Germany’s Ingrid Klimke, looked like keeping her spot right up until the very last fence — when SAP Hale Bob OLD hit the front rail of the parallel. She dropped down to take the individual bronze.

Ireland kept the team silver and achieved individual silver, with Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky coming through with a clear round to secure individual second, from seventh place after the cross-country. Sarah Ennis (Horseware Stellar Rebound) was second coming into this phase, but she had the second part of the treble at fence five down to drop to fifth individually.

France held onto team bronze, with Japan fourth. Olympic qualifications went to Germany, Australia and New Zealand in fifth, sixth and seventh.

Piggy French was the second-best British team member when Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo had the first part of the double at fence five down for 10th place individually.

“I had a different horse to what I’ve ever had before — he felt good outside but was spooky and a bit tight in there,” she said.

Tom McEwen suffered a similar fate when Toledo De Kerser — who belongs to Jane Inns, Tom and his mother Ali — hit the upright at fence 11.

“He jumped a super round and was unlucky to have that one down as he’s usually a reliable jumper, but that’s the sport,” said Tom, who finished 12th.

Fourth team member Gemma Tattersall suffered disappointment today when Arctic Soul became tight through his back towards the end of the round and had three fences down.

Britain’s individual rider Tina Cook finished ninth with Billy The Red, who showjumped clear today.

“I’m thrilled with him — he’s a magical jumper and so consistent in this phase,” said Tina.

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The showjumping was originally scheduled to run yesterday (Sunday, 16 September) but Hurricane Florence forced its postponement until today.

Full report on the eventing from WEG in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out Thursday 20 September, including exclusive analysis and opinion.

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

The showjumping for the Mars-sponsored eventing competition at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon, USA will take place from 10am tomorrow (Monday, 17 September).

The showjumping phase of a three-day event usually takes place the day after cross-country, but the jumping at WEG was put back from its original time of Sunday afternoon due to Hurricane Florence.

The riders showjump in reverse order of their individual placings, so the competition builds to a thrilling climax.

Britain has five riders and horses still in the competition and all are well placed. Working on the basis of two minutes per round, the approximate times for the British pairs will be as follows…

British team:

• Gemma Tattersall and her own and The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul — lying 18th, jumps at approximately 11.46am local time (4.46pm British time)
• Tom McEwen and Jane Inns, his own and his mother Ali’s Toledo De Kerser — lying 10th, jumps at approximately 12.02pm local time (5.02pm British time)
• Piggy French and Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo — lying eighth, jumps at approximately 12.06pm local time (5.06pm British time)
• Ros Canter and her own and Caroline Moore’s Allstar B — lying in individual silver, jumps at approximately 12.16pm local time (5.16pm British time)

British individual

• Tina Cook and Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red — lying 14th, jumps at approximately 11.54pm local time (4.54pm British time)

The showjumping fences are 1.30m high and will be designed by Ireland’s Alan Wade, who is also designing the courses for the pure showjumping competition at WEG this week.

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Britain currently has two fences in hand over Ireland to take team gold, while Germany’s Ingrid Klimke does not have a fence in hand over Ros to claim the individual gold on SAP Hale Bob OLD. Ros is also within one showjump of Ireland’s Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound, who are sitting in individual bronze position.

Keep up to date with all the action from WEG on horseandhound.co.uk and don’t forget to buy next week’s H&H magazine (dated 20 September) for our full report, including exclusive analysis and opinion.

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

Britain has moved up to the team gold position after cross-country in the Mars-sponsored eventing at the World Equestrian Games today (Saturday, 15 September).

In a superlative performance, all four British team riders put in clears inside the time.

“It’s absolutely fantastic, unbelievable,” said chef d’equipe Dickie Waygood. “They were class acts — I can’t wait to watch the videos back and see the performances. They sat beautifully, the horses reacted to them and the way they came up the hill at the end was superb.”

Gemma Tattersall, the pathfinder on The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul, said: “Arctic Soul is a complete cross-country machine. My job was to go out and go clear inside the time. Luckily I was able to set the tone for the day and these guys followed, so that was brilliant.

“I was 15 seconds down at the bottom of the hill [at the end of the course] and was back on time at on my eighth minute marker. I was pulling up from the second to last fence to the end, which shows what a fast horse he is.”

Piggy French went out second for the team riding Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo. She now lies eighth individually.

She commented: “I’m proud of my horse — he had to get really gritty and dig very deep. It was harder work than it walked, a bit like being in a tumble drier.”

Tom McEwen piloted Jane Inns, his own and his mother Ali’s Toledo De Kerser and has moved up to 10th.

He said: “My horse was class, I couldn’t have asked any more from him. As a team we had a plan right off from start and don’t think we ever wavered, we knew what we were doing and everyone seriously delivered.”

Ros Canter’s performance with her own and Caroline Moore’s Allstar B elevated her from bronze individually to silver.

“Today was all about the team, as was yesterday — that’s my number one focus and will remain so,” she said. “The fact I’m in silver is a bonus and very exciting, but I’ve got to thank the whole team and support team. Going fourth I had all the information and it really helped me.”

British individual Tina Cook also jumped clear on Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red, finishing with just 2.4 time-faults for 14th after this phase.

“On the first walk of the course, we were a bit dismissive, but the more times we walked it the more problems we could see,” she said. “It was a bit more undulating than it looked and proved a proper championship track.”

Ireland has moved up from seventh after dressage to the team silver position. Sarah Ennis on Horseware Stellor Rebound is also holding the individual bronze slot.

“I’m delighted. I was down on the clock bottom of hill, but he went off like a racehorse — Rocket by name, Rocket by nature,” she said, referring to the horse’s stable name.

France is now holding the team bronze position, their effort spearheaded by Thibaut Vallette (Qing Du Briot ENE HN) who has held onto individual fourth.

The Germans, team gold medallists after dressage, had a disappointing day and Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk lost their individual gold spot due to a run-out at the combination of corners at fence 14, the CSX Junction. But Ingrid Klimke has moved up from second to first individually on SAP Hale Bob OLD.

“I had a lovely round and enjoyed the course a lot. ‘Bobby’ was really fit, he really cantered up the hill and got his second wind so I could ride for the time,” she said.

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The US team effort also fell apart, with their best-placed rider after dressage, Boyd Martin (Tseterleg), having a stop at the boat in the middle of the Mars Sustainability Bay at fence 10.

With Tropical Storm Florence approaching Tryon, the cross-country was run at three-minute intervals rather than the planned four minutes, so that the action would be finished sooner. There were a few showers today, but the conditions were generally horse friendly, with temperatures much lower than on the dressage days.

Keep up to date with all the latest from WEG on horseandhound.co.uk and read our full eventing report inHorse & Hound next week (20 September issue).

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

The times for the cross-country phase of the Mars-sponsored eventing at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) have been released.

The cross-country takes place tomorrow (Saturday, 15 September) and riders will be setting off at intervals of three minutes, instead of the planned four, in an effort to get the competition completed before the heavy rain associated with Hurricane Florence arrives.

British team:

• Gemma Tattersall and her own and The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul — 11.12am local time (4.12pm British time)
• Piggy French and Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo — 12.12pm local time (5.12pm British time)
• Tom McEwen and Jane Inns, his own and his mother Ali’s Toledo De Kerser — 1.30pm local time (6.30pm British time)
• Ros Canter and her own and Caroline Moore’s Allstar B — 1.33pm local time (6.33pm British time)

British individual:

• Tina Cook and Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red — 1.03pm local time (6.03pm British time)

The individual dressage leader, Germany’s Julia Krajewski, will set off across country at 12.06pm (5.06pm British time) with Chipmunk FRH. The German team is also currently leading the team standings.

Her team-mate Ingrid Klimke, who currently lies second, is scheduled to leave the start box at 2.27pm (7.27pm British time) with SAP Hale Bob OLD.

Kai Rüder (Colani Sunrise) will lead off for the German team at 11.06am (4.06pm British time), with third team rider Andreas Dibowski (FRH Corrida) heading out at 1.24pm (6.24pm British time).

The best-placed rider for the US team, which is currently in bronze, is Boyd Martin (Tsetserleg) and he is slated to start at 12.09pm (5.09pm British time).

There are two Irish riders in the top 10 after dressage and their start times for tomorrow are 1.45pm (6.45pm British time) for Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky and 2.48pm (7.48pm British time) for Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound. The other Irish team members are Sam Watson on Horseware Ardagh Highlight (11.24am local time, 4.24pm British time) and Cathal Daniels on Rioghan Rua (12.27pm local time, 5.27pm British time). Irish individual Patricia Ryan (Dunrath Eclipse) starts at 2.06pm (7.06pm British time).

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Sometimes there are delays on the course, which can result in riders having to start later than their original allocated time. This is usually the result of falls, which lead to the course being stopped while injured horses and riders receive veterinary or medical attention, or broken fences are repaired.

Mark Phillips, the cross-country course-designer, has also used frangible technology on some fences in a bid to improve safety. This means the fence will collapse if horses and riders hit them in a certain way in order to prevent a fall. Replacing or resetting frangible devices can also lead to a delay.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

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

Piggy French holds individual bronze position after the first day of dressage (Thursday, 13 September) in the Mars-sponsored eventing at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon, USA, with Britain less than a mark outside the team medal zone.

Piggy put in a strong test this afternoon to score 27.8 with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo. The pair had a wobbly start when they cantered out of the first halt, but their canter work was excellent.

“He gave it his all — he’s 11 now and last year he was fairly inexperienced, but he’s strengthened up this year and there’s still more to come from him,” said Piggy.

Britain has another rider in the top group after individual Tina Cook scored 29.1 as the last rider of the day. She and Billy The Red — who belongs to Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson — lie fifth. This was a big question for the chestnut gelding as tension has badly marred his recent tests in big arenas, but he held it together, with just a few lower marks in the flying changes.

“I am really pleased — obviously I was a bit apprehensive because the last two times he went in big arenas he got a bit of stage fright,” said Tina. “I’m a bit cross with myself for the flying changes, but to come back and perform in that atmosphere, I have to be pleased.”

Gemma Tattersall led off for Britain this morning and she and Arctic Soul are in 19th at the end of the day.

Germany holds the team and individual gold medal spots after a spectacular test from Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH soon after lunch blasted them to the top of the leaderboard. They scored 19.9 and have a margin of 7.2 over the chasing pack.

“It’s a really nice feeling when your horse is with you and trusts you,” said Julia. “The dressage is the phase you can do most about and it’s all about preparation with him, right to the last day as he can peak too early.”

Boyd Martin currently holds second for the USA riding Tsetserleg. He scored 27.1.

“I’m thrilled. There’s always a big fear of not doing your best in the moment, but ‘Thomas’ was awesome,” said Boyd.

Australia holds second in the team standings, their effort headed by Chris Burton and Cooley Lands in fourth. France is third, just 0.8 of a penalty ahead of Britain.

New Zealand sits fifth after a slightly disappointing test for Mark Todd and McClaren left them 14th — the pair’s marks ranged from three to eight as some excellent work was interrupted by mistakes.

“He’s a horse in the making and while he has amazing presence and movement, he’s only in his second year of real training,” said Mark.

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The dressage continues tomorrow, when Tom McEwen (Toledo De Kerser) and Ros Canter (Allstar B) will ride for Britain.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

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

The dressage times for the World Equestrian Games Mars-sponsored eventing have been released.

British team times:

• Gemma Tattersall with The Soul Syndicate’s and her own Arctic Soul — 9.32am local time Thursday (2.32pm British time)
• Piggy French with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo — 1.47pm local time Thursday (6.47pm British time)
• Tom McEwen with Jane Inns’, his own and his mother Ali’s Toledo De Kerser — 10.27pm local time Friday (3.27pm British time)
• Ros Canter with Caroline Moore’s and her own Allstar B — 2.50pm local time Friday (7.50pm British time)

British individual time

• Tina Cook with Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red — 4.33pm local time Thursday (9.33pm British time)

Canadian rider Colleen Loach (Qorry Blue D’Argouges) will be the first competitor to head into the arena tomorrow morning at 9am local time (2pm British time).

The crack German squad will send Kai Rüder and Colani Sunrise out first tomorrow, with Julia Krajewski (Chipmunk FRH) the second German team rider to perform on the first day. Andreas Dibowski (FRH Corrida) and Ingrid Klimke (SAP Hale Bob OLD) will follow on Friday.

New Zealand, who are also among the favourites for the team gold, have Blyth Tait (Dassett Courage) as their pathfinder, with Mark Todd and McClaren taking the second team berth tomorrow. Friday is all about the Prices, with Tim and Cekatinka on show in the morning and Jonelle (Classic Moet) closing the Kiwi campaign.

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Sam Watson will kick off the Irish effort tomorrow, riding Horseware Ardagh Highlight at 10.19pm (3.19pm British time). Cathal Daniels is at 2.42pm (7.42pm British time) on Thursday with Rioghan Rua, while Padraig McCarthy (Mr Chunky, 11.22am local/4.22pm British) and Sarah Ennis (Horseware Stellor Rebound, 3.45pm local/8.45pm British) take the team spots on Friday. Patricia Ryan (Dunrath Eclipse) is the Irish individual and enters the arena at 1.23pm (6.23pm British time) on Friday.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

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

Two horses were held at the first trot-up for the Mars-sponsored eventing competition at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) this afternoon (Wednesday, 12 September), but both passed on re-inspection.

The held horses were Belgium’s Imperial Van De Holtakkers, ridden by Joris Vanspringel and the Netherlands’ Rumour Has It NOP, ridden by Merel Blom.

The British team horses — Caroline Moore and Ros Canter’s Allstar B, ridden by Ros; Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red, ridden by Tina Cook; Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo, ridden by Piggy French; Tom McEwen, Jane Inns’ and Ali McEwen’s Toledo De Kerser, ridden by Tom and The Soul Syndicate and Gemma Tattersall’s Arctic Soul, ridden by Gemma — all sailed through the inspection. It has not yet been announced which of the five will take the individual berth and which four will form the team.

The ground jury, consisting of Anne-Mette Binder (Denmark), Jane Hamlin (USA) and Andrew Bennie (New Zealand), inspected 83 horses from 23 nations this afternoon. Sixteen countries field a team, with the remaining seven having individual competitors only.

Ireland’s five horses all looked in good shape too. The last one to be inspected, Cathal Daniels’ Rioghan Rua cantered sideways on the return down the trot-up strip, but the ground jury passed her without seeing her trot again.

The big grey horse from Ecuador, Meyer’s Happy, ridden by Nicolas Wettstein, also had a little bronc at the end of the strip.

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The eventing dressage starts tomorrow and continues on Friday. Britain has been drawn sixth as a team, with Canada first and Switzerland last. Germany has an early draw in fourth, with New Zealand 12th.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

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

Australia’s Paul Tapner has withdrawn Bonza King Of Rouges from next week’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (30 August-2 September).

“He’s got an injury that means he can’t compete at Burghley,” says Paul, who hopes to be back out on the horse next season with Badminton as the aim in May.

Paul won Badminton in 2010 riding Inonothing and finished 19th at Burghley last year on Bonza King Of Rouges, a 15-year-old who belongs to his rider, Jenny Waaler and Angela Scott.

Britain’s Nicola Wilson has also withdrawn last year’s European individual bronze medallist Bulana, who belongs to James and Jo Lambert. This is not surprising as the mare was also withdrawn from the long-list for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) after sustaining a minor injury.

Tina Cook has today (Monday, 20 August) pulled Elisabeth Murdoch’s Calvino II out of Burghley and is therefore expected to start with Star Witness as her sole ride. She also has Billy The Red entered, but he has been chosen for the British squad for WEG.

Lauren Blades (née Shannon) has also withdrawn Ron Pearson’s home-bred Jesmond Justice today. The horse had previously completed Burghley with Mark Kyle, finishing 27th in 2016, but was set to contest his first four-star with Lauren.

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The other horses who have been withdrawn from Burghley are: Step Forward (Georgia Bale), Kilroe Hero (Sian Coleman), Pennlands Douglas and Waldo III (Emma Hyslop-Webb), Strike Smartly (Tom McEwen), Carryon Bobby Boy (Julia Norman) and Simply Smart (Hazel Towers).

Oliver Townend, last year’s Burghley winner, still has five horses in the draw and will ride a maximum of three at the event. Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson have three each listed and are expected to ride two horses each.

Buy H&H this Thursday (23 August) for our full Burghley preview, including form guide for every entry and exclusive cross-country course walk with Blyth Tait.

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Defending champion Oliver Townend has entered five horses for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (30 Aug-2 September) this year.

Oliver’s entries include last year’s winner Ballaghmor Class and Cooley SRS and Cooley Master Class, all three of whom are also on the British long-list for the World Equestrian Games (WEG). The world number one also has MHS King Joules and Ulises on the roster for Burghley.

It is unlikely that Oliver will actually ride more than three horses in the competition, although Burghley does not put a strict limit on how many horses a rider can start on, saying instead that it is “subject to the organisers’ discretion” and will be confirmed after close of entries (last Friday, 27 July).

Tina Cook also looks to have a strong hand for the autumn four-star, with her WEG long-listed horse Billy The Red entered as well as Calvino II and Star Witness.

Andrew Nicholson, who has won Burghley five times, is entered with a trio of horses in Jet Set IV, Swallow Springs and Teseo.

New Zealand’s Mark Todd is the other rider entered on more than two horses, with Kiltubrid Rhapsody, Leonidas II and NZB Campino currently in the mix, although it is almost certain he will ride one of the horses at WEG instead.

Ninety-nine horses representing nine different nations have been entered for Burghley in total.

Previous Burghley winners in the mix besides Oliver, Mark and Andrew include Australia’s Chris Burton on Cooley Lands — one of the two horses he has on the Australian short-list for WEG — New Zealand’s Caroline Powell, who brings forward Up Up And Away and On The Brash, and Pippa Funnell (Majas Hope).

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The horses who finished second (Vanir Kamira with Piggy French), third (Arctic Soul under Gemma Tattersall) and fourth (Toledo De Kerser ridden by Tom McEwen) at Burghley last year have all been entered again, but all are also on the British long-list for WEG so their participation will depend on whether they get the British squad call-up.

The other British WEG-listed horses also entered for Burghley are Bulana (Nicola Wilson), Away Cruising (Harry Meade), Reve Du Rouet (Sarah Bullimore), Mr Bass (Laura Collett) and Allstar B (Ros Canter).

A number of British first-timers are also entered, including H&H blogger Hazel Towers, who has had to withdraw Simply Smart but still has Simply Clover in the mix. And the crowd will be delighted to see favourites such as Charlton Down Riverdance (Becky Woolven), Ivar Gooden (Imogen Murray) and Euro Prince (Clare Abbott) back at Burghley.

H&H’s bumper Burghley preview, including course-walk with former winner Blyth Tait and full form guide, will be on sale on Thursday, 23 August.

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Germany hold the top spot on the leaderboard at the end of day one at the Aachen CICO3*, with Great Britain in fifth.

The home side led from the outset, with Julia Krajewski retaining her dressage lead after the showjumping with Chipmunk FRH (above), and also lying second with her team ride, Samourai Du Thot. Her teammates Ingrid Klimke and Kai Ruder (Colani Sunrise) each had a fence down, but such were the strength of their dressage scores that the team remains in front with a comfortable 11.5 penalty margin.

France moved up from the bottom of the pack into second after a series of clears around Frank Rothenberger’s course from Thibaut Vallette (Qing Du Briot ENE HN), Thibault Fournier (Siniani De Lathus) and Karim Florent Laghouag (Punch De L’Esques) left the team on their dressage score.

Britain had been lying third behind Germany and New Zealand following the dressage, but clear rounds eluded the four team riders and they dropped down into fifth, with Australia just ahead of them in fourth.

Oliver Townend produced a smooth, mistake-free dressage display earlier in the day with the 11-year-old grey gelding Ballaghmor Class (below) to lie sixth, but an unfortunate eight faults in Aachen’s huge main stadium shunted them down the order into 12^th.

“It was a good course and the ground was perfect, but my round wasn’t good enough,” Oliver told H&H. “But this isn’t the main aim for the horse — that’s either Burghley or the World Equestrian Games (WEG). It’s just good to get him in big rings like this as he can still be a bit babyish when it comes to jumping towards the crowds.”

Despite a fence down, Gemma Tattersall has risen up the rankings to lie 16^th overnight with Pamero 4, while Sarah Bullimore (Reve Du Rouet) added eight penalties to her dressage score of 31 to lie 27^th and Imogen Murray (Ivar Gooden) sits 29^th.

Britain’s individual rider, Tina Cook, suffered disappointment in the dressage when Billy The Red repeated problems from Luhmühlen earlier this year, and misbehaved in each of his halts.

“I’m very disappointed — he got insecure and didn’t want to stand still. The rest of the test was actually very good,” Tina told H&H. “He was the same at Luhmühlen and I felt we’d addressed it by practising standing at home and incorporating more walk exercises, but it seems it’s back to the drawing board.”

The 11-year-old chestnut gelding somewhat redeemed himself with a super clear round later on, but Tina made the decision to withdraw him from the remainder of the competition.

The cross-country gets underway at 10am tomorrow, with Imogen riding first for Britain at 10.24 (9.24 BST), followed by Sarah at 10.52 (9.52 BST), Gemma at 11.28 (10.28 BST) and Oliver at 12.00 (11.00 BST).

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

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The British riders lining up in the eventing competition at the World Equestrian Festival at CHIO Aachen, Germany (20-21 July) are:

• Sarah Bullimore and Christopher and Susan Gillespie and Brett Bullimore’s Reve Du Rouet
• Tina Cook with Elizabeth Murdoch’s Billy The Red
• Imogen Murray and Aivar Ward and M S Team’s Ivar Gooden
• Gemma Tattersall and Clive Smith’s Pamero 4
• Oliver Townend with Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class. Direct reserve horses: Cooley SRS or Cooley Master Class owned by Angela Hislop or Sally-Anne Egginton’s Cillnabradden Evo.

Four of these pairs will compete as a team with the fifth starting as an individual.

Aachen is not part of the official FEI eventing Nations Cup competition this year, but this CICO3* will still be a prestigious competition and an important step in the selection process or preparation for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) for many countries. Reve Du Rouet, Billy The Red and Ballaghmor Class are all on the British long-list for WEG with the horses they are taking to Aachen, while Pamero 4 and Ivar Gooden are all on the reserve list.

Germany will start as favourites in Aachen, fielding a team consisting of Sandra Auffarth (Viamant Du Matz), Michael Jung (La Biosthetique-Sam FBW), Ingrid Klimke (SAP Hale Bob OLD) and Julia Krajewski (who has Chipmunk FRH and Samourai Du Thot both listed and will ride one on the team and one as an individual).

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France, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Sweden will also field teams at Aachen, with individuals competing from the Netherlands, Japan, Denmark and Belgium.

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

Full report from Aachen in H&H next week (issue dated 26 July).

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Are you going to the St James's Place Barbury Horse Trials this weekend (5-8 July)? If not, why not? Here are some great reasons why you should

1. Upsilon returns. Last year’s Barbury Event Rider Masters (ERM) winner, ridden by France’s Tom Carlile, is one of the most admired event horses in the world and it’s always a thrill to see him on British soil. The lovely grey stallion has had a few blips on his record since last year — he didn’t finish the cross-country at the 2017 Europeans and had run-outs at the ERM at Arville last month — so it will be interesting to see if he can return to form at Barbury.

2. Tom Carlile is just one of nine riders who have previously won ERM classes who compete in the section this time. The others are: Oliver Townend (Cillnabradden Evo), Gemma Tattersall (Pamero 4), Izzy Taylor (Director General), Andrew Nicholson (Swallow Springs), Astier Nicolas (Vinci De La Vigne), Sarah Cohen (Treason), Alex Hua Tian (Don Geniro) and Chris Burton (Polystar I). The riders will fight it out for a prize pool of £50,000 in this class.

3. The Shetland Pony Grand National comes to Barbury for the first time on Sunday (8 July). Who doesn’t love to see those ponies and their tiny jockeys fly round the miniature National Hunt fences?

4. Andrew Nicholson will aim to take his Barbury CIC3* winning record to six. He has won four times on the late Avebury and once on Nereo. This time he rides Swallow Springs in the ERM and Yacabo BK in the other CIC3*.

5. Three days of cross-country, with excellent viewing and a new feel to the tracks. Former Olympic and world champion Blyth Tait designs the novice course for the first time, while Mark Phillips’ CIC2* and CIC3* tests have a fresh new layout, with the ERM course finishing in the main arena — this will make for maximum excitement as the reverse order cross-country comes to a head.

6. TFour horses long-listed for Britain’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) squad are competing, so you can check them out before they potentially fly off to the USA in September. Tina Cook will ride last year’s European team gold medallist Billy The Red in the ERM section and needs to show some form after a slightly chequered spring campaign. Nicola Wilson and Bulana take on the regular CIC3* and will also hope for a change of fortune. Meanwhile Toledo De Kerser (Tom McEwen) and Away Cruising (Harry Meade) both have their first runs since Badminton in the CIC2*.

7. The JCB Champions’ Challenge at 1.45pm on Saturday, a relay race over jumps in the main arena in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund, is always great fun to watch. Badminton and Luhmühlen winner Jonelle Price heads up the eventers’ squad and she is joined by her husband Tim, Lissa Green and H&H columnist Mark Todd. The jockeys’ team consists of three-time champion jump jockey Richard Johnson, Tom Scudamore, Wayne Hutchinson and Sam Twiston-Davies.

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8. Barbury has a new “kidzone”, with a mini-zoo, including meerkats. There’s also have-a-go dog agility, a fun dog show and a dog agility masterclass demonstration from recent world silver medallist Anthony Clark and his top dog Protest.

9. #WearGreenForJonty — riders and supporters will be out in force wearing green T-shirts, wristbands, cross-country colours and more to show that Jonty Evans, the Irish eventer who suffered a serious brain injury in a fall last month, is constantly in their thoughts.

Don’t miss the full report from Barbury Horse Trials in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (12 July 2018).

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

OPINION

There are few surprises on the long-list for the British eventing team for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon in September. As long-lists go, it’s pretty long — 15 combinations (11 riders, with Ros Canter and Piggy French named with two horses and Oliver Townend with three). This is the number who can be nominated to the FEI in mid-August — if you’re not on that list, you cannot then be among the final squad. The reality, though, is that only one third of these pairs will actually go to WEG (it’s a five-strong squad — a team of four and one individual).

My feeling at this stage is that Ros Canter and Oliver Townend are pretty certain of a team berth. Ros and Allstar B have such excellent form since the start of 2017 that a ticket to Tryon seems guaranteed, unless one of them suffers an injury. I’m not sure if Zenshera would be an automatic replacement, should anything befall Allstar B — he’s had good results but in less competitive fields than his stable-mate. Let’s hope we don’t have to find out.

Oliver has been a controversial figure this spring, but calls for him to be banned from the British squad on account of his warning for over-use of the whip at Badminton are pointless, wherever you stand on the incident. He is available to ride on the team and has the best form of any Brit this spring; the selectors’ job is to choose the strongest possible team and I certainly expect it to include Oliver. I don’t know which way they will jump in terms of horse choice — Kentucky winner Cooley Master Class, last year’s Burghley victor Ballaghmor Class or Badminton runner-up Cooley SRS? Whatever way, I expect him to be named with at least one direct reserve horse.

After these two, things are a bit less certain, but I think Tom McEwen has a strong chance after top-12 finishes and double clears at two Badmintons and one Burghley with Toledo De Kerser.

Nicola Wilson and Tina Cook looked like shoe-ins for the team after their brilliant performances at last year’s Europeans, but neither have had a straightforward spring and both must still prove their form to win their place.

Nicola, who has had a knee injury, pulled Bulana out of Bramham when she was leading the CIC3* after two phases because she was heading to Luhmühlen the following week, but ended up retiring across country there after run-outs. She is entered for Barbury CIC3* next weekend (5-8 July) and Nicola will need to prove she has the mare under the thumb again there — her tendency as a young horse to be strong across country seems to have resurfaced this year.

Billy The Red takes on the Event Rider Masters (ERM) at Barbury — he has only run in an open intermediate since falling at Burnham Market in the spring (which Tina says was rider error), an accident which left Tina with a dislocated collarbone and led to her missing Badminton. He was unable to contain himself in his halts in the dressage at Luhmühlen, although his other work was good, and given his uncompetitive position and the firm ground, Tina decided to withdraw him before the cross-country.

Laura Collett and Mr Bass were stellar to finish second at Luhmühlen but it was the horse’s first four-star — the selectors will have to balance how much they want to see a backlog of form against one really outstanding performance (although the pair also have good three-star results). Similarly Kitty King and Ceylor LAN went very well to finish fourth, but it was Ceylor LAN’s first CCI since the Rio Olympics.

Some will be surprised to see Gemma Tattersall named with Arctic Soul rather than one of her other horses, but Quicklook V hasn’t run since being declared on the injury bench pre-Chatsworth and Chico Bella P is too fragile to be a championship horse. Pamero 4 is on the reserve list but he and Gemma are still quite a new combination and he’s a tricky horse to manage and keep weight on, so it could be difficult to produce him in peak condition after the long flight to the US. With the change to the dressage scoring this year, Arctic Soul could be a handy team member, perhaps in the pathfinder spot.

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I have to admit I’d rather written off Vanir Kamira when she fell at Badminton and then didn’t reappear in competition, but the Burghley runner-up must be expected to make an appearance somewhere soon with Piggy French. A good run would certainly put her in contention. And then there’s Quarrycrest Echo — the Chatsworth ERM winner who was denied a good placing at Luhmühlen when a flag decision went against him. At present, I’d put his chances above the mare’s, but that could change.

Reve Du Rouet’s second at Pau last year was a breakthrough result for Sarah Bullimore and he followed up with a solid Badminton in 18th, an impressive ninth four-star completion. Harry Meade and Away Cruising have three top-20 four-star results to their names, with cross-country reliability to the fore. These pairs are a little less high-profile than some others on the list, but they could be useful contributors if called up.

The British team for the crack CIC3* at Aachen (17-22 July) has not yet been announced and it will be interesting to see who is chosen — aside from Barbury, this provides the other high-profile outing for potential WEG squad members ahead of the selected five being named in early August.

In this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out on Thursday 28 June 2018, don’t miss our full report from the Hickstead Derby meeting, including all the showjumping and showing action, plus don’t miss our six-page report from Royal Ascot.

We also have a feature on the much discussed whip rules across the disciplines and in this week’s ‘Vet clinic’ we find out how to spot the signs of sand colic.

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

The long-list for the British eventing squad for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina, USA, 11-23 September 2018 has been released. The horses and riders named to the long-list are:

• Sarah Bullimore with Chris and Sue Gillespie and Brett Bullimore’s Reve Du Rouet
• Ros Canter with Caroline Moore’s and her own Allstar B, and her own Zenshera
• Laura Collett with Nick How, Keith Scott’s and her own Mr Bass
• Tina Cook with Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red
• Piggy French with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo, and Trevor Dickens’s Vanir Kamira
• Kitty King with Diana Bown, Jacqueline Owen and Samantha Wilson’s Ceylor LAN
• Tom McEwen with Jane Inns, Ali McEwen’s and his own Toledo De Kerser
• Harry Meade with Charlotte Opperman’s Away Cruising
• Gemma Tattersall with The Soul Syndicate and her own Arctic Soul
• Oliver Townend with Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class, Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class and Angela Hislop’s Cooley SRS
• Nicola Wilson with James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana

The reserve combinations are (in alphabetical order);

• Alex Bragg with Sally Ellicott’s Zagreb
• Emilie Chandler with Sally Williams and Nicola Dickson’s Coopers Law
• William Fox-Pitt with Jennifer Dowling’s Little Fire
• Kitty King with Diana Bown, Sally Lloyd Baker, Sally Eyre and Samantha Wilson’s Vendredi Biats
• Imogen Murray with Aivar Ward and M S Team’s Ivar Gooden
• Gemma Tattersall with Clive Smith’s Pamero 4

The squad of five will be announced at the beginning of August.

Fifteen combinations will be submitted to the FEI as the nominated entries on 13 August. All combinations are required to maintain their current form to remain on the long-list.

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Eventing performance manager Dickie Waygood said: “It is fantastic to have such a strong group of combinations long-listed for this year’s World Championships; there have been some impressive performances across the board so far this season and I’m very excited to be working with such a superb group of athletes.”

In this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out on Thursday 28 June 2018, don’t miss our full report from the Hickstead Derby meeting, including all the showjumping and showing action, plus don’t miss our six-page report from Royal Ascot.

We also have a feature on the much discussed whip rules across the disciplines and in this week’s ‘Vet clinic’ we find out how to spot the signs of sand colic.

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

Pippa Funnell and Billy Beware are at the head of a strong British contingent after dressage in the CCI4* at Luhmühlen. Their fourth-placed score of 25.8 — including a 10 for their final halt from the judge at M, Sandy Phillips — is 1.7 penalties behind the leaders, Dutch pair Tim Lips and Bayro.

“I’m actually a tiny bit disappointed with the mark, compared to Badminton [where they were awarded 25.7] — this was what I call a proper ‘clear round’, which thrilled me,” Pippa said. “The changes and the transitions were nailed, and we went for it in the extended canter. Perhaps I just played a little safe in the first part of the trot-work.

“Tomorrow, I want to try to have fun [across country]. We’ve worked hard since Badminton [where they retired across country] and played around with the bitting, although that isn’t the problem — he’s a big horse and he can be hard to keep through his shoulder.”

Tim Lips and the supple, loose-moving Bayro’s mark of 24.1 is half a mark ahead of New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell (Cleveland, 24.6).

“I know Bayro can do a great test. He went well at Wiesbaden [in May] and I came here with confidence. But I did lose my stirrup when we went into canter after the rein-back, so I felt a bit of an idiot!”

Jesse Campbell trialled a new approach to 11-year-old Cleveland’s dressage test, and it paid off.

“He’s a bit of a wild beast, and I have probably overworked him [before his test] in the past,” explained Jesse. “Here, I tried to trust that my training at home was good and that he would peak in the ring, and I think that worked. He tried very, very hard for me, and it was a good first four-star performance.”

Australia’s Shane Rose is third with 25.5 aboard CP Qualified, who hasn’t competed since Pau CCI4* last autumn.

“I only flew in from Australia two days ago, but he has been got fit by [Shane’s friend and fellow Australian rider] Sam Griffiths and I know him [CP Qualified] very well,” said Shane. “Given our lack of match practice, I’m very pleased.”

Shane echoed the majority of riders when saying that the Mike Etherington Smith-designed cross-country track was “a big step up from last year”. There has been very little rain at Luhmühlen for the past three months and the sandy ground remains on the good to firm side, although course-builder David Evans’ team have worked hard on it.

“My horse loves ‘top of the ground’ — this is probably the best ground I will ever get for him in Europe, although a few of my fellow riders might be hoping it rains tonight,” commented Shane.

Another Australian, Emma McNab, lies in fifth place on Fernhill Tabasco, while Britain’s Ros Canter (Zenshera) shares sixth place with Badminton winner Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianamo on 27.1.

Thursday’s joint-leaders, Kitty King for Britain on Ceylor LAN and the US’s Boyd Martin and Shamwari, are in eighth place with 27.4.

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Team GBR’s Nicola Wilson and Bulana are in 10th on 27.5. Their early marks were good enough to take the lead, but the 12-year-old black mare broke into trot from walk just before the halt and rein-back, which upset her and she became tense and a little strong thereafter.

There was major disappointment for another much-fancied British combination — Tina Cook and Billy The Red. They have had a seriously interrupted season as Tina dislocated her shoulder at Burnham Market at the end of March and has only ridden in two competitions since, and the lovely chestnut misbehaved in both the first halt and the halt before the rein-back. Tina sensibly went straight into canter and missed out the rein-back, but their mark of 39.9 left them in 45th place.

More updates from Luhmühlen online over the weekend and full report in next week’s magazine (issue dated 21 June).

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

Tina Cook has withdrawn all her horses from this week’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (2-6 May) as she has not fully recovered from dislocating her shoulder at Burnham Market at the end of March.

“It’s a very difficult decision, but I’ve run out of time,” she told H&H. “I’ve made amazingly good progress and had so much support from the team doctor and physios, who have all been working really hard to get me right, but I just don’t feel I’m going to do the horses justice by cross-country day on Saturday.

“Any horse can have a trip or a slip where you have to sit up quickly or make a quick reaction or movement and I don’t believe my shoulder is strong enough to react if such a situation arises, which it would do at that level — there’s no such thing as the perfect round. I could damage myself just having to make a quick reaction and if I had a fall, it could set me right back in my preparation for the Worlds.”

Tina had three horses entered for Badminton, Star Witness, Calvino II and Billy The Red and would be a strong contender for the British team for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in September. She has been riding two or three horses at home each day for the past week.

“All three horses are fit and well, which has made the decision even harder — I have a really good team at home who have kept the horses ticking over,” she added. “I’m so nearly right, but it’s just too much of a risk when I’ve got world-class horses to look forward to for the rest of the year.

Badminton final scores

“I’m 85% right and that made it so tempting to think I could be good enough by Saturday, which is why I’ve left the decision to the last minute, but I don’t believe I can be 100% by Saturday. I’ve ridden round Badminton many times and I know you need to be 100% fit; you can’t be a passenger.”

Tina explained that in addition to ligament and tendon damage, she suffered some bone damage where the muscle attaches to the bone when the arm pulled out of its socket.

She may now target her horses at the German four-star at Luhmühlen (14-17 June).

“All three of them could have been competitive at Badminton, which means there are other options for them — I am in contention for WEG, so I need to be on my A game and I just needed another week or two‚” said Tina, who will still go to Badminton and hopes to pick up some commentary work at the event, something she has done before.

“I’ve let a lot of people down — owners and sponsors — but I’ve got to look at the bigger picture, which is getting fit for the Worlds, rather than taking the risk of being sidelined for longer,” she said.

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Tina Cook is facing a “race against time” to be fit to ride at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (2-6 May) after dislocating her shoulder in a fall at the Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market Horse Trials on Friday (30 March).

Tina fell at fence five on her European Championships team gold medallist Billy The Red.

“It was rider error — lots of the time we get away with it and sometimes we don’t,” she told H&H. “I had already ridden two horses in the advanced and I hadn’t ridden this early combination as well as I would like on them. I was overkeen to get it right on Billy and I got him too close to the first of the double of corners and he caught a knee. He fell and fired me into the ground and I landed on the point of my shoulder.”

Tina described the injury as “the most painful thing that’s ever happened to me”.

“Pain relief didn’t even touch it,” she said. “They took me to hospital and knocked me out so they could put it back in again. It’s gone back in fine, so now it’s a case of healing time and a race against time to get it right for Badminton. It’s something a lot of jockeys and event riders have done and everyone says it’s the most painful thing to happen and they are right — it was unbearable.”

Badminton final scores

Medical advice is that Tina should keep her shoulder absolutely still for at least 10 days.

“The dislocating stretches all the ligaments around it so you have to give them time to retract and then start moving it. I’ve got lots of support from the Lottery-funded doctors and physios, so everyone will be giving me every opportunity to get back for Badminton.”

Tina has her arm strapped to her side, but says she is “fine” apart from her shoulder and is getting on with lots of boring jobs such as tidying the house and sorting out her office while she is laid up.

“It’s frustrating but it happens and you’ve got to get on with it. I’m being positive,” she said. “The good news is that Billy The Red is absolutely fine and I had two good runs on Calvino II and Star Witness before that.

“Annoyingly on paper I was given an elimination on Star Witness for going the wrong side of the flag at the water, but I’ve got a massive bruise on my left knee so I know I caught the flag with my left knee. But I jumped straight off Star Witness and on to Billy The Red and then, because I was in the ambulance after my fall, I didn’t get the chance to object.”

Tina is preparing all three of her top horses for Badminton and will decide nearer the time which two she will run as riders can only start on two mounts. She may take the third horse — or indeed two horses if she can’t ride at Badminton — to the German four-star at Luhmühlen in June.

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The rider said she will play it by ear how she gets her top horses worked while she is out of action.

“Because two of the three had good runs they can have an easy week and they are all up on their galloping,” she explained. “We’ll have to see from then on — I’m lucky to live on a hill so the girls at home can keep them ticking over. I hope I’ll be back on board in a couple of weeks.

“Billy is a good horse and he would only need one run somewhere just before Badminton if I’m going to be fit enough to ride. I’ll only take these proven four-star horses to Badminton if I’m fit enough to perform at my very best.”

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

We recently spent a day at multi-medalled British event rider Tina Cook’s yard — check out these pictures and make sure you buy Horse & Hound magazine this week (8 March 2018) to read the full feature, plus much more eventing in our 15-page special

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