A veterinary professional may want to see your horse trot up for a number of reasons, but what’s the best way to do it?

A good trot-up gives the observer a clear view of the horse moving in a straight line and in balance, so their gait can be assessed.

Primarily, vets use trot-ups to check for soundness. Because the trot is an even gait, with legs moving in diagonal pairs, it’s easier to spot lameness or uneven loading of the limbs than in walk or canter.

When are horses trotted up for vets?

Vets might wish to see horses trotted up as part of:

• a lameness examination, in which further tests, such as flexion tests, lungeing and a ridden exam might also be carried out
• a pre-purchase examination, in which a vet is employed to assess the horse’s physically suitablity for a buyer
• an FEI competition of any discipline to check the horses are fit to compete. At three-day events, there are two horse inspections: one before the dressage phase, and another following the cross-country phase. Horses have to pass both to be allowed to compete

The holding box

At an FEI event, the ground jury and veterinary delegate will pass a horse following a trot up or send him to a holding box for further examination.

The vet in the holding box performs a more thorough examination, including palpation and assessment of the horse’s limbs, to help identify any injuries — such as tendon injuries — that would prevent him from continuing in the competition.

A horse who has sustained a small overreach injury during the cross-country, for example, or who has pulled a shoe off, may appear slightly unlevel. After veterinary assessment, however, he may be deemed fit to complete a round of showjumping.

Some horses are then represented at the trot-up, while others might withdraw from competition at the holding box.

Equipment to use to trot your horse up for the vet

Be ready to trot your horse up with:

• a well-fitting bridle, headcollar or halter
• stout, appropriate footwear, such as yard boots
• a riding hat
• riding gloves
• a schooling whip, if needed

How to trot up a horse for the vet

Before considering how to trot up a horse, first select your surface. It should be level and not too loose, slippery or stony.

• Stand your horse square. This allows the vet to walk around and examine the horse’s posture from every angle. Hold the reins in your right hand as if you were riding one-handed.
• Trot the horse away as straight as you can, keeping an even rhythm and ensuring he has enough rein to move his head freely so the vet can see any abnormalities. Your horse should be active, but not too fast.
• The vet may signal when they want you to turn and trot towards them, or if you’re unsure you can ask them to call out.
• Ask your horse for a walk transition a few steps prior to turning. When you turn, your horse should always turn away from you to avoid being trodden on. Guide the horse towards you slightly before asking him to turn away. This will enable you to trot back on the same line.
• Keep the horse straight towards the vet, but ensure you have sufficient control so as not to run them over.

It is worth clarifying whether the vet wants to see your horse walk first. If so, use the steps above in walk.

Furthermore, it is good to clarify how to trot up for the vet in particular. Some want to see the transition from trot to walk in front of them. You should make this transition very obvious.

If you have a young or inexperienced horse, practise the routine of trotting up so that when you need to do so you can produce a good, straight trot for your vet without any hassle. If you’re preparing to trot up at a competition, it’s worth you and your horse learning to trot correctly as a horse who is poorly presented may look uneven, even if he isn’t.

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also like:

Pre-purchase vet exam: what to expect and how to get the most out of one *H&H VIP*

Buyers frustrated by a lack of answers may be missing the point of the pre-purchase exam, believes Malcolm Morley MRCVS.

‘Good owners vaccinate their horses against flu for their welfare, not just to compete,’ says equine vet

‘I’m assessing horses’ fitness for purpose – not whether buyers can ride them’: Vets and dealers debate the vetting process

The lameness work-up: what it is and what it can achieve

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

The European Dressage Championships trot-up has been completed for both the dressage and para dressage horses in Riesenbeck, Germany.

All eight British horses across both teams safely passed the trot-up and are ready for action. However, two dressage horses – including one from the Irish team – were not passed, and will have be re-presented tomorrow ahead of the start of the grand prix.

The British para dressage team of Sophie Wells (LJT Egebjerggards Samoa), Georgia Wilson (Sakura), Gabriella Blake (Strong Beau) and Charlotte Cundall (FJ Veyron) had their horse inspection yesterday (Monday, 4 September), with all four horses sailing through successfully ahead of the individual para dressage competition starting today (Tuesday, 5 September).

This morning, it was the turn of the British dressage quartet. As a stallion, Lottie Fry’s reigning world champion Glamourdale was the first of the British horses to take to the European Dressage Championships trot-up track, presented by Niek Haarlink, who has previously fulfilled this role.

Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep were the next British combination to present, followed by Carl Hester with Fame and Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca. All four horses were passed without incident.

Four horses were sent to the holding box; Alejandro Sanchez Del Barco’s ride for Spain, Quincallo De Indalo, and Trude Hestengen’s Norwegian team horse Christianslund Furstino were subsequently passed.

Two of these were not accepted, and will have to be re-presented tomorrow morning before the grand prix. These are the 15-year-old Ultrablue De Massa, the ride of Poland’s Marta Sobierajska, and Turbo, the the 10-year-old Totilas son ridden by Ireland’s Sorrell Klatzko.

The British dressage team will have arena familiarisation later this afternoon, where they can work their horses in the main Riesenbeck arena. The competition will kick off with the grand prix, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday this week to determine the team medals.

This is followed by the grand prix special on Friday for the top 30 combinations from the grand prix, from which the first set of individual medals will be decided.

The European Dressage Championships concludes with the grand prix freestyle on Sunday, open to the top 15 from the special, and from which the second set of individual medals will be decided.

• Check out team lists for every nation at the European Dressage Championships

You may also be interested in…

Who will win the medals at the European Para Dressage Championships 2023?

How to watch the European Dressage Championships 2023

Glamourdale v Dalera: who will come out on top in European Championships showdown?

Carl Hester: ‘The most exciting British championship team since Valegro’

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

Horse & Hound has a team of reporters covering all the European dressage action. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more.

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 trot is one of the horse’s four natural gaits and how extravagantly a horse trots depends on his breed, type, age and level of training. A correct trot will have one of the horse’s diagonal pairs of legs move forward together, followed by a moment of suspension when all four feet are briefly off the ground before the other diagonal pair moves. This results in a swinging sensation for the rider.

How does a horse trot?

The trot is the horse’s second fastest gait. In trot the legs follow a repetitive sequence of left fore and right hind together, then right fore and left hind together, and so on. If you are watching a horse trotting from the ground, you can easily see the diagonal pairs of legs moving together.

While there is one correct two-beat trot rhythm, a horse can trot with varying lengths of stride depending on how much collection or extension the rider is asking for, and his level of training.

The rider should move fluidly in time with the horse, either rising out of the saddle with each swing from one diagonal to the other, or remaining seated in the saddle throughout in what is termed sitting trot.

Trot is the pace vets typically use to assess a horse’s soundness. When you watch a lame horse trotting, each diagonal leg movement will be different and not equal making it easier to see if the horse is lame or uncomfortable. The horse may also nod their head or show a clear hip drop on one side.

How fast is a horse’s trot?

The trot is faster than walk, but slower than canter and gallop.

The fastest horse trot in the world was recorded in 2014 by the trotter Sebastian K who trotted one mile in a time of 1 minute 49 seconds at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

Different types of trot

Within the trot pace, there are trots offering different speed, cadence and stride length, including:

Working trot — the horse’s natural trot. The working trot is the first type of trot a horse will learn during his training.

In working trot the horse should be naturally balanced and be able to maintain a comfortable, flowing rhythm. His hind feet should step into the imprint left by his front feet; this is known as tracking up. A good working trot should be active and rhythmical, while the horse remains relaxed with a free-moving shoulder.

A common mistake riders make in working trot is asking the horse to go too quickly so he is pushed out of his natural stride and rhythm. This can result in the stride shortening and the horse rushing as he struggles to maintain balance.

Collected trot — the collected trot requires the horse to carry themselves in a more condensed and uphill frame. The collected trot should not be slower in tempo than the working trot, although the stride length will shorter, while maintaining active impulsion and a regular two-beat rhythm.

To perform a good quality collected trot, the horse needs to transfer the weight off the forehand back on to the hindquarters, creating more energy from behind so he can push uphill into the bridle.

Some riders mistakenly use the reins as the primary aid to collect the trot, which can lead to the horse shortening the neck and dropping his head behind the vertical. The collection should come from the horse’s hindleg stepping more under to carry the weight of itself and its rider.

Working correctly in collected trot during training can help the horse develop more lift and cadence in its stride.

Medium trot — requires the horse to lengthen his stride so he is covering more ground with each step than in working or collected trot, but not as much as is required in extended trot. It is described as ‘moderate lengthening’.

A good medium trot should be uphill and the horse’s hind legs should come under his body to create impulsion. The horse should not hurry in medium trot and should remain in balance, while his outline will lengthen slightly as the head comes slightly in front of the vertical.

Extended trot — the most expressive trot where the horse is covering more ground by opening and lengthening his stride as much as is physically possible. To be performed correctly the step and reach of both his front and hind legs should lengthen equally. It is not correct for the horse to take a long and extravagant step with the front leg, if this isn’t mirrored by the hind leg.

It is important that the horse uses his hind legs to create power and energy, which ultimately produces the longer, expressive stride. Some horses find extended trot easier than others due to their natural conformation.

At later stages of training, the horse can be asked to perform lateral movements, such as leg yield, shoulder fore, travers, renvers and half pass, in the different types of trot.

While the collected trot is likely to be the slowest trot pace, and the extended the fastest in terms of ground covered, the aim is to adjust the horse’s length of stride and cadence, not ride for more speed. Pushing a horse to simply move their legs faster (increase the tempo of the stride) does not determine the difference between working, collected, medium and extended trot. The horse must be responsive and accepting of the signals given by the rider’s leg and the hand to be able to change his length of trot stride, which comes during the later, more advanced stages of training.

Is rising or sitting trot better?

Both rising and sitting trot have a place in training horses. Rising trot is also known as posting trot.

Rising trot — a horse should be trained during the early stages of his education in rising trot. This allows the horse’s back muscles to develop so they are strong enough to carry a rider in sitting trot at a later date. In rising trot, the rider moves up and down out of the saddle in time with the horse’s one-two rhythm. To make it easier while learning, a beginner rider can count one-two and rise on every second beat, or think up-down, rising on the ‘up’ and sitting softly back in the saddle on the ‘down’.

Rising trot is typically more comfortable for both horse and rider, and it can be used to encourage the horse to slow or quicken its pace. The rider should rise slightly forward in the saddle, rather than straight up, to ensure that they are moving in synchronicity with the horse and not resisting the flow of the pace.

For beginner riders, the rising trot is one of the hardest aspects of horse riding to nail. If you’re learning to ride, ensure that you’re partnered with a sensible, experienced horse who is not going to react badly if you miss a beat and hit the saddle, while being controlled by a trainer on the ground. You can work on your balance when coming out of the saddle in both halt and walk before you progress to the trot.

Rising trot also requires the rider to be on the correct diagonal. In the UK, if you’re riding in an arena, you should sit when the inside hindleg is on the ground, as this will help the horse to maintain his balance. Experienced riders can feel which diagonal they are riding on but it takes time to develop this skill, so novice riders can check which diagonal they are on by sitting as the horse’s outside shoulder comes back towards them.

When you change direction, you need to change your diagonal. This is achieved by sitting in the saddle for two beats or counts. When you rise again your diagonal will have switched to coincide with the horse’s opposite diagonal pair of legs. When you are riding outside the arena, it is a good idea to change your diagonal at regular intervals to help avoid the horse from becoming one-sided. Most horses have a preferred diagonal and will encourage the rider to sit on that diagonal if they can.

Sitting trot — sitting trot is more advanced for both the rider and the horse. During sitting trot, the rider remains seated in the saddle as the horse moves forwards underneath them.

Sitting trot is commonly used by dressage riders during their tests, but if done well, it can also be helpful to ride sitting trot during training as it can encourage the horse become more engaged from behind and develop self-carriage.

British Dressage states that trot work may be ridden sitting or rising for all tests in competition at elementary level and below. At medium level trot work must be ridden sitting except extended/medium trot movements, which may be ridden rising. At advanced medium level and above sitting trot is mandatory. For national young horses tests in four, five and six-year-old classes trot work may be sitting or rising. FEI tests, including young horse tests, require sitting trot, except where specifically stated otherwise.

Sitting trot can also help a rider develop a more independent seat. The rider should sit tall through their core, while relaxing their lower back, hips and thighs so they can softly mirror their horse’s back movements under the saddle. This allows the horse to move to the best of their ability without creating any tension, which can block the horse’s movement. Sitting trot is physically demanding for the rider due to the fact they are required to maintain a strong core throughout, so ensure you’re aware of when you start to feel tired as riding while fatigued will have a negative effect on the horse.

A common problem riders face when they are starting to learn sitting trot is that they bounce in the saddle. To improve your sitting trot you can:

• Ensure your stirrups are the correct length so you feel secure in the saddle
• Practice riding without stirrups for short periods either on the lunge or while schooling
• Try to relax your pelvis muscles so you are moving in time of the horse. Yoga, Pilates or basic stretching can help you become more flexible
• Improve your core strength through fitness exercises off your horse
• Remember to breathe; try not to grip with your legs and thighs so you are not pushing yourself up out of the saddle
• Practice little and often using short periods of sitting trot so both you and your horse get used to it
• If you feel your horse starts to tense or you start to bounce in the saddle, go rising until you feel more secure and the horse’s back relaxes

Why do trainers say trot is the easiest pace to improve?

The trot is used a lot while schooling horses and many trainers believe the trot is the easiest pace to improve, because:

• It is easier to develop the natural swing and lift of the trot, than the four-beat walk and three-beat canter, thanks to the diagonal limb placement and moment of suspension
• The diagonal limb movement make it easy to identify any issues with straightness or lack of bend in either direction, which can then be worked on
• The two-beat rhythm of the trot makes it an ideal pace for the horse to perform lateral exercises, which can improve suppleness and build expression into the pace
• Using transitions between different variations of the trot can improve the horse’s ability to carry weight on the hind leg, leading to more cadence

Check out these tips on how to improve your horse’s trot from top rider Anna Ross, plus a video of Maria Eilberg using exercises to improve a horse’s trot.

How long can a horse trot for?

The length of time a horse can trot for depends on many factors including his age, breed, type, stamp, stage of training and fitness levels.

In their natural environments and when turned out in the field, a horse will find trotting easier than when they have the weight of a rider on.

A horse can trot for longer when he is more physically mature and developed and has a higher level of fitness, though this is a gradual process.

What is a trot-up?

A trot-up is where a handler walks the horse away in a straight line, turns around and trots the horse back.

A trot-up is used in high-level eventing, showjumping and dressage competitions to assess a horse’s soundness, and in showing classes so the judge can assess the horse’s movement, straightness and quality of pace. FEI competitions for all disciplines will include a trot-up.

The aim of the trot-up is to allow the observer a clear view of the horse moving in a straight line and in balance, so that the gait can be assessed.

A vet might also assess a horse via a trot-up to check to see if a horse is lame. The vet will ask the horse to be trotted straight back towards them so they can see if the one-two beat is out of rhythm, which could indicate a problem.

A horse may also be trotted up in-hand as part of a sale, to show off his movement.

What is a good trot?

As long as the horse is not lame or unsound, the type of natural trot a horse produces will depend on his breed, type and physical conformation. Ideally, a horse or pony will move straight and track-up so the hind foot falls into the in-print left by the front foot.

To compete at higher levels in dressage, riders often seek out horses with naturally ground-covering, expressive, active and balanced trots so they can advance through the training stages and levels more easily.

In showing, the horses are assessed on the quality of their trot in accordance to their type and breed.

Showing judges are looking out for faults in the trot, such as:

• Plaiting — an inward swing of the leg or hoof with each stride
• Not tracking up — the horse does not track his hind feet into the imprint made by his front feet, indicating that the horse is unbalanced. It could also be an indication of a foot/shoeing issue
• Dishing — the opposite to plaiting, when the horse throws his leg or foot outwards instead of straight

The difference between trotting and pacing

While the trot is a two-beat gait where the legs move diagonally as explained above, the pace is a two-beat gait where the horse’s front and back legs move forwards together on the same side. In other words, the front left leg and back left leg move together, then the front right leg and back right leg, move together.

The pacer is a type of Standardbred horse that is bred for pacing, unlike the trotter which is bred to move in a trot. Trotters and pacers are popular harness race horses and they compete in different races due their different paces. Pacers are generally faster than trotters. In some cases pacers can be trained to trot, but trotters usually can’t be trained to pace.

There is a gene in pacers called DMRT3 that determines the horse’s ability to pace and many pacer breeders intentionally bred from horses with this gene to produce pacers for the track.

You might also be interested in:

6 tips to help your horse produce a ‘wow’ trot

What is lateral work, and how can it help my horse?

How to lunge a horse – your essential guide

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 first Olympic showjumping trot-up of the Tokyo Games has concluded, and all four British horses have been accepted.

Scott Brash (Jefferson), Ben Maher (Explosion W), Holly Smith (Denver) and British team alternate Harry Charles (Romeo 88) were the 15th of 35 nations to present this evening, and all passed – with a few high jinks from Explosion W.

The full Irish squad – Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro, Darragh Kenny and Cartello, Cian O’Connor and Kilkenny, and Shane Sweetnam with Alejandro – were also accepted.

Olympic showjumping trot-up: two horses held

Two horses were held, and will re-present tomorrow morning. These were Cannavaro 9, the 15-year-old ride of Argentina’s Matias Albarracin, who was first out onto the trot-up track at the Baji Koen Equestrian Park, and Caesar, the 12-year-old ride of China’s You Zhang.

One combination were asked to trot twice before being accepted. This was USA De Riverland with Morocco’s Ali Al Ahrach, who was forced off the side of the track by the 13-year-old Diamant De Semilly stallion at one point.

The USA’s Jessica Springsteen failed to halt before setting off down the track with Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve, and was stopped at the end for the 12-year-old stallion to be inspected. He was subsequently accepted.

The majority of horses were presented by their riders, some of whom wore interesting national outfits. The Dutch squad looked smart in cream pinstripe linen suits set over an orange shirt, while the Japanese riders paired beige blazers with red trousers.

The individual rider for Sri Lanka, Mathilda Karlsson (Chopin VA), stood out from the crowd in a saree top and black skirt.

You may also be interested in…

A bluffer’s guide to showjumping at the Tokyo Olympics

How to watch Olympic showjumping live

Why has a woman never won Olympic gold in showjumping or eventing? H&H investigates…

Who is going to win the Olympic showjumping medals in Tokyo?

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

A wide variety of national uniforms were on display at this morning’s horse inspection in Japan, so check out our Olympic eventing first trot-up pictures.

Some nations were casual in T-shirts, others paired their shorts with a tie, while some pulled out all the stops with jumpsuits or dresses.

Let’s get started by checking out the British team…

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

Oliver Townend trots up Karyn Schuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class for Team GB

Tom McEwen, also a British team member with Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns and his mother Ali’s Toledo De Kerser

British alternate pair Ros Canter and Allstar B, who belongs to his rider and Caroline Moore

Olympic eventing first trot-up pictures: our favourite outfits

Chinese team member Alex Hua Tian with Sarah and Pip Higgins and Pam Dews’ Don Geniro

Andrew Hoy trots up David and Paula Evans, his own and his wife Stefanie’s Vassily De Lassos. The pair start for the Australian team

Poland’s Joanna Pawlak comes forward with her own Fantastic Frieda

Peter Flarup presents Fascination for Denmark. The horse is owned by his rider and Victoria Ulrikke Hjortnæs

Sam Watson rides Vahe Bogossian’s Flamenco in the Olympic eventing competition

Swedish alternate Sara Algotsson-Ostholt and Chicuelo, who belongs to Patricia Oddshammar and Gunnar Modalen

Hong Kong representative Thomas Heffernan Ho with Irene Ho and Miranda Rauis’ Tayberry – the oldest horse in the competition at 20 years old

Indian individual rider Fouaad Mirza with Seigneur, owned by M/S Embassy Property Development PVT Ltd

Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Larga SPRL’s Alpaga D’Arville start their competition for Belgium

Nicolas Wettstein trots up Altier D’Aurois for Ecaudor. The horse belongs to the rider, his father Frank Wettstein and mother Monique Deyme

Alexander and Joseph Giannamore and Tim Price’s Vitali, ridden and presented by Tim for the New Zealand team

Colleen Loach and Qorry Blue D’Argouges, owned by Peter Barry. Colleen is Canada’s sole representative after the withdrawal of Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti

Miroslav Trunda and Shutterflyke, owned by Svobodova Adela, take to the trot-up strip for the Czech Republic

Pictures by Peter Nixon

You might also be interested in:

One horse eliminated and one other held at Tokyo Olympics eventing first trot-up

Olympic eventing dressage times released: find out the British team order and start times

Horse withdrawn from Tokyo Olympic eventing just before first trot-up

How to watch Olympic eventing live

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

Poland’s leading horse and rider combination were eliminated at the Tokyo Olympics eventing first trot-up this morning.

Pawel Spisak was asked to take Banderas to the holding box when he was first inspected. When he re-presented, he was spun by the ground jury.

Poland will still be able to field a full team as alternate Jan Kaminski (Jard) will join Malgorzata Cybulska (Chenaro 2) and Joanna Pawlak (Fantastic Frieda) in the team. But Pawel’s elimination will be a heavy blow to Polish hopes as he and Banderas were the nation’s most experienced pair at this Games, plus they are left without the option to swap in an alternate in the case of horse or rider injury during the competition.

One other horse was sent to the holding box at this Tokyo Olympics eventing first trot-up. Lauren Billys, an individual for Puerto Rico, re-presented Castle Larchfield Purdy and he passed the second time round.

The ground jury – the USA’s Jane Hamlin, Britain’s Nick Burton and Sweden’s Christina Klingspor – inspected horses from 29 nations this morning, as the Olympic eventing competition kicked off.

All the British horses – London 52 (Laura Collett), Toledo De Kerser (Tom McEwen), Ballaghmor Class (Oliver Townend) and alternate Allstar B (Ros Canter) – looked well and were passed without problems.

There was one nervous moment for Ireland as Sarah Ennis was asked to trot again with Woodcourt Garrison, but she was then waved through. Belarus’s individual, Alexandre Zelenko, was also asked to trot twice with Carlo Grande Jr.

The eventing dressage starts at 8.30am tomorrow morning local time (00.30am British time).

You might also be interested in:

Olympic eventing dressage times released: find out the British team order and start times

Horse withdrawn from Tokyo Olympic eventing just before first trot-up

Walk the Tokyo Olympics cross-country course: photos of every fence

The fences that will decide the eventing medals: analysing the Tokyo Olympics cross-country course

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 Tokyo Olympics dressage trot-up (23 July) was full of drama, with one horse withdrawn and another asked to represent tomorrow. But in between those tense moments waiting for a horse to be announced as “accepted” or not comes the excitement of seeing so many beautifully turn out horses, as well as each nation’s choice of uniform. We have picked out a few highlights from the Tokyo Olympics dressage trot-up pictures…

Possibly the most eye-catching and popular outfits were those sported by the female Belgian riders – Larissa Pauluis (Flambeau) opted for a full-length red jumpsuit emblazoned with the words “Tokyo” and “Belgium”.

Tokyo Olympics dressage trot-up: in pictures

Austria’s Florian Bacher kicked things off for Austria wearing lederhosen to run up Fidertraum. He was left red-faced to match his mask, though, having been asked to trot twice after turning the wrong way at the end of the track.

World number one Isabell Werth looked as though she meant business as she brought forward her reigning world and European champion, the 17-year-old Belissimo M mare Bella Rose 2.

Charlotte Dujardin was the first of the British contingent to present at the Tokyo Olympics dressage trot-up, and she and Gio both looked focused and energetic, kitted out in Team GB’s sporty ensemble, and a matching helmet.

Denmark’s all-female squad looked stylish in matching red dresses, paired with trainers so bright white they left us squinting. Here’s Cathrine Dufour presenting the 11-year-old Bordeaux gelding Bohemian.

He may be Team GB’s oldest athlete at the Games, but Carl Hester was full of beans as he ran up his Olympic ride, the Jazz son En Vogue, who seemed as relaxed as his rider at his first championship trot-up.

Edward Gal from the Netherlands brought forward the exciting young Totilas son Total US, sporting a swish pinstripe suit and a man bun, fastened with a neon orange band, of course.

There can be no doubt which nation four-time Olympian Steffen Peters is representing, with the 13-year-old Spielberg son Suppenkasper.

There was a worrying moment for British fans when Lottie Fry’s ride Everdale was not brought forward in his listed slot. However, the spicy breeding stallion was instead trotted up at the end of the order by owner Gertjan Van Olst, with Lottie looking on.

The Russian athletes, competing here under a neutral flag, were all clad in matching silk blouses and neckerchiefs, as worn by Aleksandra Maksakova, pictured trotting up with Bojengels.

Ireland’s sole dressage representative is Heike Holstein with her lovely home-bred Samarant mare Sambuca; this is Heike’s fourth Olympic Games.

The Canadian quartet also sported fun national outfits, with a denim shirt emblazoned with the maple leaf symbol and Canadian flag, as exhibited by alternate combination Morieira Laliberte and Statesman.

One of the favourites for gold, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl presented her lovely mare, the 14-year-old Easy Game x Handryk daughter TSF Dalera, in relaxed fashion.

Britain’s travelling alternate combination, Gareth Hughes and Sintano Van Hof Olympia, looked relaxed and happy at what is a first Olympics for both of them, and they made sure to take it all in.

The host team, Japan, were all impeccably turned out in suits and ties, demonstrated by Kazuki Sado and the equally well presented London Swing stallion Ludwig Der Sonnenkoenig 2.

Swedish alternates Antonia Ramel and Brother De Jeu will now start in the grand prix tomorrow, following the withdrawal of Patrik Kittel and Well Done De La Roche CMF, the day before the trot-up.

Dutch team horse Dream Boy, who is partnered by Hans Peter Minderhoud, was on his toes during the horse inspection, and displayed a few airs above ground following his trot-up.

You might also be interested in:

Tokyo Olympics dressage trot-up: one horse withdrawn, one held and a heart-stopping moment for British fans

H&H dressage editor’s blog: ‘Will we see Valegro’s world records broken this year?’

‘The Olympics is something I’ve always dreamed of’: Carl Hester’s groom Lucy Scudamore on her Tokyo Olympics experience so far

H&H Olympic reporter’s blog: ‘The venue is breathtaking – let the Games begin’

‘I am broken to the core’: Medal contender out of Tokyo Olympics dressage

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

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

There was drama at the first horse inspection at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this afternoon (1 May), when two horses were withdrawn from the holding box and one horse got loose.

Many horses were spooking on the atmospheric trot-up strip and Springpower (pictured top), the second of two rides for Izzy Taylor, took particular exception to it. The 10-year-old gelding, owned by Andrea and Jeremy Brereton and Linda Mars managed to trot halfway up the strip before spinning and getting loose from Izzy. He started to bolt towards the entrance to the trot-up and the stables, but fellow eventer and 2018 Burghley winner, Tim Price, managed to stop the horse, averting disaster. He was then accepted by the ground jury comprising Nick Burton, Jane Hamlin and Christian Steiner.

Quite Survivor (pictured above), the ride of Badminton first-timer Hanna Berg of Sweden was sent to the holding box after his initial inspection. The 14-year-old gelding, owned by Mathilda Berg was withdrawn from the holding box before representing and will therefore take no further part in the competition.

Badminton final scores

Another pair to withdraw from the holding box was Tamra Smith’s ride, Wembley (pictured below). The 16-year-old grey gelding, was also contesting his and his rider’s first Badminton, but it was sadly cut short.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Badminton Horse Trials dressage times released: what time is your favourite going?

Check what time your favourite rider will be performing in the dressage at Badminton Horse Trials

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

The Hiho Silver best-dressed male award went to James Sommerville, while the best-dressed female prize was awarded to Louisa Milne Home.

Therefore, 80 combinations now start the competition, with dressage starting at 9.30am tomorrow morning (Thursday 2 May).

Pick up this week’s magazine (dated 2 May) for the full H&H Badminton form guide and check back to the H&H website later to see a full gallery of some of the most eye-catching outfits from the first trot-up

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

There was drama at the final horse inspection at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this morning (7 May) as three horses were withdrawn and a total of five sent to the holding box.

Alex Bragg, who was in eighth place overnight after the cross-country riding Zagreb (pictured), was sent to the holding box where he was then withdrawn before representing.

Malin Head Clover, the mount of Lissa Green, was also sent to the holding box where he was then withdrawn, meaning they will play no further part in the competition.

Fellow Badminton first-timer Becky Woolven withdrew before the trot-up and so did not present her horse, Charlton Down Riverdance.

Badminton final scores

Three other contenders were sent to the holding box. They were Frenchman Astier Nicolas and Piaf De B’Neville, who was 13th after the cross-country. Fourteenth-placed Tina Cook and Billy The Red were also held, plus Oliver Townend and Samuel Thomas II. All three horses were accepted upon reinspection in front of the ground jury of Martin Plewa, Anne-Mette Binder and Christina Klingsor.

The French rider Thibaut Vallette and Qing Do Briot Ene HN were asked to trot twice initially, but were then accepted.

Forty-six horses go forward to the showjumping phase which kicks off at 11.30am with the top 20 jumping from 2.55pm. The first session of showjumping can be watched on the Horse & Hound website here.

Continued below…

A statement has been issued by Badminton with regards to Emily Gilruth, who fell at fence three on the cross-country yesterday, riding Topwood Beau. It reads: “Emily remains in intensive care at Southmeade Hospital, Bristol, undergoing treatment and further investigation.”

Don’t miss this week’s H&H (out now), which includes a 16-page Badminton pull-out with full form guide and more. Next week’s H&H (out on Thursday 11 May) will have comprehensive 25-page Badminton report, bringing you all of the news, analysis and statistics.

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 first trot-up at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (1-4 September) was not without incident.

The first horse to be held by the ground jury (Sue Baxter, David Lee and Anne-Mette Binder) was Roo Fox with Fleet Street.

The Selle Francais, 12-year-old, chestnut gelding, owned by Alexandra Fox and Dennis Sampson trotted up very well upon re-inspection and so was passed.

The second combination to be held was Stacey Shimmons and Orions Promise (pictured top).

Stacey had to shake up the 13-year-old gelding when they were re-inspected as he looked a little uninspired by the whole occasion, but they were accepted.

The final combination to be held was the last to present, America’s Holly Payne-Carvella with the Fox Syndicate’s, Never Outfoxed.

The 10-year-old gelding looked in great shape and was passed upon re-inspection. Holly, however, managed to lose one of her heeled shoes as she neared the end of the trot-up strip, much to the amusement of spectators.

The final piece of drama at the first trot-up occurred when Frenchman Denis Mesples was bashed in the head by his horse Oregon De La Vigne. He was spotted with blood coming from his head so employed the help of a steward to trot up his horse for him.

The best dressed award was judged by Miss Rutland and Arthur Duffort of France took the men’s title, clad in a beautiful suit. Burghley first-timer, Becky Woolven took the women’s best dressed award in a lovely cream coat and long brown boots.

Day one of dressage kicks off tomorrow (Thursday 1 September), with the first rider, Tom Crisp, riding Coolys Luxury, entering the arena at 9.30am. Be sure to join Horse & Hound for our live commentary service, which will bring you all of the action as it happens.

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 national uniforms riders have to wear at Olympic trot-ups range from smart to casual, from brilliant to frankly bizarre. Check out the pictures below and vote for your favourite

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 sent to the holding box at the first eventing trot-up at the Rio Olympics today (Friday, 5 August).

Spain’s Albert Hermoso Farras was asked to take Hito CP aside by the ground jury — president Marilyn Payne (USA) and members Andrew Bennie (NZL) and Sandy Phillips (GBR). But he was accepted when he re-presented.

All the other horses forward passed, so there will be 65 starters in the eventing competition. The teams with a travelling reserve trotted up that horse too, and they can be substituted until two hours before the dressage starts tomorrow morning at 10am.

Britain’s team — William Fox-Pitt (Chilli Morning), Pippa Funnell (Billy The Biz), Gemma Tattersall (Quicklook V) and Kitty King (Ceylor LAN), plus travelling reserve Tina Cook (Billy The Red) — all looked in fine form and passed without drama.

The Irish were all accepted without problems too — team members Mark Kyle (Jemilla), Padraig McCarthy (Simon Porloe), Jonty Evans (Cooley Rorkes Drift) and Clare Abbott (Euro Prince), plus reserve Camilla Speirs (Portersize Just A Jiff).

A couple of horses were asked to trot twice before they were accepted. They were Nadeville Merze, ridden by Nicolas Wettstein for Ecuador, who became a little upset on the strip, and Jock Paget’s ride Clifton Lush for New Zealand.

Chinese supporters had a nervous moment as Alex Hua Tian did not bring Don Geniro forward at his allocated time before the Japanese riders, but he followed them in and passed without problems.

Viewing national uniforms is a popular spectator sport at first horse inspections and the Swedes definitely won the award for the most eye-catching outfits — look out for our gallery of pictures coming soon.

Continued below…

Related articles:

• Walk the Olympic cross-country course: pictures of every fence
• Beginners’ guide to Olympic eventing
• Who will compete in the eventing at Rio?

The dressage starts tomorrow at 10am (2pm British time) and continues on Sunday. Monday (8 August) is cross-country day and the competition concludes on Tuesday. Follow the dressage as it happens with H&H Live.

Such was the interest surrounding the first horse inspection the hashtag #EquestrianEventing was trending on twitter during the trot-up.

Full 25-page report on the eventing from Rio 2016 in H&H next week — out Friday, 12 August. H&H is published on Friday instead of Thursday to next week only to allow us to report the full competition from the Olympics.

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

A rider who was kicked in the face at an eventing trot-up and needed 20 stitches is calling for all competitors to wear hats at horse inspections.

“I will be wearing my hat at every trot-up from now on,” said Rebecca Page. “I think they should be compulsory, especially at the lower international levels as the horses aren’t experienced with that sort of set-up.

“It doesn’t take a lot to spook them — they’re live animals, we can never truly say we have full control. It was a freak accident, but it’s something I could easily see happening again as there are so many horses in such a small space.

“It could have been so much worse and quite frankly I am lucky just walking away with 20 stitches and a scar on my forehead.”

*Warning graphic image*

View Rebecca’s wound

Remarkably, Rebecca went on to complete her CCI* after the accident, which happened when she was kicked by her ride Liberty Bell II at the first horse inspection at Houghton last month.

“It was only our second event at this level so we are by no means professional — we both still find the atmosphere of the international events very overwhelming,” said the 19-year-old.

“The trot-up is the place you least expect accidents — I did not expect to be laid out surrounded by people, waiting for an ambulance to take me to Kings Lynn hospital.

“By no means was Libby being nasty, she just got excited and bucked and caught me on the head. I suffered a 10cm laceration down to my skull just above my right eyebrow. I don’t know how I wasn’t knocked out and I haven’t suffered any headaches — it was an absolute miracle.”

Rebecca’s mother Sarah trotted up Liberty Bell, who passed with no problems, but the rider admitted the first thing she said after the accident was: “Well, that’s the end of my one-star!” But she was wrong.

‘I didn’t think I’d actually be riding the course’

Having been given the all-clear by the hospital, Rebecca also had to be checked by the on-site medic at the event, Nicola Wallace-King, who was happy to sign the rider off to compete.

“It was pretty swollen the next morning, but I got my hat on and, while it was by no means comfortable, it was definitely bareable,” she said. “I was delighted even to be allowed to do my dressage test, but for Libby to do the best test she has ever done was even better.”

The pair scored 53.5.

“I walked the cross-country several times — it was tough, but I didn’t think I would actually be riding it,” said Rebecca. “I had to be assessed again on Saturday so it wasn’t until my last walk that morning that it kicked in that I was actually going to ride round my toughest track to date with 20 stitches in my head — nervous would have been an understatement.

“But I learnt that day that my little Libby should never be underestimated — we went clear and inside the time.”

Rebecca made it through the final horse inspection without drama, wearing a hat.

“Showjumping is both of our weakest phase,” she went on. “Libby was tired and it was a big track. We never expected a clear. However, Libby had other things in mind and jumped a foot perfect round to bring home a double clear.

“It was a huge achievement and no words can describe what it feels like to get this result on a horse you have produced yourself. It was an amazing end to the week that had the most horrific start. I was very lucky and I cannot express my thanks enough to the people that made it possible for me to ride.

“Against all the odds, we completed Houghton Horse Trials with a double clear to finish 33rd out of 76 starters.”

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

73 horses were presented to the ground jury at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials first trot-up (Wednesday 2 September).

All were accepted but not all were nodded through immediately.

Willa Newton and her ride Newmarket Vasco One were asked to trot twice before being sent to the holding box. Upon re-inspection the 15-year-old, previously competed to four-star level with Willa’s sister Chloe, was accepted.

The other horse to be sent to the holding box was Matthew Heath’s ride, The Lion. The pair who were spun at the first trot-up at Badminton Horse Trials earlier this year, breathed a sigh of relief as they were also accepted upon re-inspection.

Horses that were asked to trot twice by the ground jury included Under The Clocks (Murray Lamperd), Cornacrew (H&H blogger Simon Grieve), Donner (Lynn Symansky) and Coolys Luxury (Tom Crisp), but all were accepted without being sent to the holding box.

Some style was on show at this initial trot-up. Andrew Hoy and Georgie Spence were awarded with the best dressed male and female awards.

Statement jackets were the order of the day with regards to ladies’ fashion, whereas beautiful shoes and sharp suits were a common theme between the men.

The one major wardrobe malfunction at this year’s first trot-up was when reigning Olympic and European champion, Michael Jung, realised as he presented his second horse, La Biosthetique – Sam FBW that his trouser flies were undone (see picture below) much to the amusement of the spectators. Unfortunately for Michael, he had already presented his first horse, FischerRocana FST, before he realised his mistake.

The first horse into the dressage arena will be Oliver Townend on the first of his three rides, Dromgurrihy Blue, at 9.30am tomorrow morning.

You can keep up to date with

all of the action at Burghley live as it happens courtesy of H&H Live while videos of each rider will be available on demand shortly after they perform on Burghley.tv

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

.

Trotting your horse up for the vet for a lameness assessment can be an anxious time, so we asked Fizz Marshall, former manager of the Equine Therapy Centre at Hartpury College, to share her top tips for getting it right.

Standing the horse up

“First of all you want to get the horse to stand nice and square,” says Fizz. “This is so that the vet can walk around the horse and look at it from every angle, looking for asymmetries or any difference in muscles or posture.”

Walking the horse

“Next we move onto walking the horse up and down. You want to make sure you walk the horse away as straight as you can, keeping an even rhythm and allowing the horse to have its head so that the vet can see any abnormalities with the way it’s walking or moving,” says Fizz.

“When you come to turn the horse you should always turn the horse away from yourself. This is a safety thing apart from anything else as it is less likely to stand on your feet

“The trick is to pull the horse slightly towards you, swing it out and then turn it around. You then end up walking back in the same line that you started.

“When you’re walking back towards the vet, you want to keep the horse really nice and straight and aim for your target.”

How to trot up your horse

After walking away and back, the vet will usually ask to see the horse in trot.

“The same applies to the trot-up,” explains Fizz. “You need to keep a really nice, even pace and not go too fast when you’re trotting. If you go too fast the vet won’t be able to see enough and they’ll probably tell you to slow down.

“Again, give the horse its head so that you can see any head nods or tilts or anything that might give clues to how the horse is moving.

“When you come back up towards the vet, don’t run them over! Lots of vets will actually want to see the transition from trot back to walk, so make that very obvious.”

You may also be interested in…

14 ways to keep your horse’s legs healthy

Follow our handy check list to keep all four limbs healthy

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

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 spun at the final vets inspection at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials today (7 September).

Four-star first-timer Roo Fox and her ride Fleet Street were held and then not accepted when the horse was re-presented. Watch Roo’s final trot below.

Three other horses were also sent to the holding box — Wiseguy IV (Imogen Murray), Coolys Luxury (Tom Crisp) and The Lion (Matthew Heath). All three combinations were accepted when they were presented again.

Hannah Sue Burnett — who was lying in seventh place overnight —withdrew Harbour Pilot before the inspection.

Sophie Jenman also did not present Geronimo who was in 34^th place after cross-country.

Jock Paget’s Clifton Promise, who is in fourth place after cross-country on 55.2pens, was asked to trot again but was then passed.

All of the other horses in the top ten passed without any issues. Andrew Nicholon’s Avebury (pictured top) and Sam Griffiths’ Happy Times both looked well despite posting some of the quickest times cross-country yesterday.

Runway gossip

Kerry Varley should win the award for the most daring outfit of the morning. She braved the chilly Autumnal morning in a short sleeveless dress and unfortunately briefly flashed her knickers to the crowd as a result.

Red was the colour of the day with Georgie Spence sporting a smart red coat and Marilyn Little wearing bright red pumps.

Louisa Milne Home and Francis Whittington won the awards for the best-dressed riders.

William Fox-Pitt’s Bay My Hero did not disappoint the crowds with his trot-up antics. Although he managed to contain himself until he had trotted past the ground jury on the way back, William struggled to keep hold of him at the end of runway. (Watch video of Bay My Hero at the first horse inspection).

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 eventers from all four leading teams have passed the final horse inspection at the London Olympics. This means Germany still holds the gold position going into the showjumping, with Britain second, Sweden third and New Zealand fourth.

However, there was plenty of action at the trot-up, with a number of horses withdrawn, sent to the holding box or not presented.

Swedish connections had a frightening time when Ludwig Svennerstal’s Shamwari was sent to the holding box, but he passed on re-inspection, after some discussion between the ground jury members, Anne-Mette Binder, Nick Burton and Gillian Rolton.

Boyd Martin, pathfinder for American, withdrew Otis Barbotiere from the holding box, which drops the USA team from fifth to sixth. Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister are now a counting score for the US team.

Donatien Schauly, who was providing the best counting score for France, did not present Ocarina Du Chanois, which moves France down from seventh to ninth. Aurelien Kahn and Cadiz now count for the team score.

Belgium had an anxious moment when Virginie Caulier’s Nepal Du Sudre was held, but he passed on re-inspection. Polish individual /b>Pawel Spisak withdraw Wag from the holding box.

The team showjumping is this morning, with the top 25 (but a maximum of three riders for each nation) progressing to the individual round in the afternoon.

PROVISIONAL REVISED TEAM ORDER FOLLOWING FINAL HORSE INSPECTION

1. Germany 124.7

2. Britain 130.2

3. Sweden 131.4

4. New Zealand 133.4

5. Australia 173.4

6. USA 178.5

7. Ireland 178.8

8. Belgium 185.8

9. France 221.6

10. Brazil 269.2

11. The Netherlands 1137

12. Canada 1177

13. Japan 1191

Report on yesterday’s cross-country

Log on later to find out who wins the medals.

Don’t miss H&H’s full report of the Olympic eventing, in the issue on sale FRIDAY 3 August – 23-page special report, with comments from Ruth Edge, Pippa Funnell and Mark Phillips, pictures of every cross-country fence, stunning photos and full analysis.

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

All 74 event horses passed the first Olympic horse inspection at Greenwich, but the morning wasn’t without drama as four horses were sent to the holding box.

South Africa’s Alexander Peternell, France’s Lionel Guyon, Canada’s Peter Barry and Brazil’s Serguei Fofanoff all suffered an anxious few minutes while their horses were examined by vets, but all four passed on reinspection.

Britain’s five horses all passed with flying colours, although Zara Phillips was asked to trot High Kingdom twice — possibly, one wag suggested, for the sake of the photographers.

The trot-up was held in the huge main arena on a lane of hard surface laid specially for the inspection.

Riders were united in praising the presentation of Sue Benson’s cross-country track, which does not appear to be particularly big or complicated.

Chef d’equipe Yogi Breisner said: “It’s how we expected — not that big jumping-wise, but we don’t know what the effect of the terrain will be, and that is very much the key. It is very up and down and twisty, and it is hard to say whether the time [10min 3sec] will be gettable.”

He added: “British spectators should not be surprised if we are a little behind after the dressage, but hopefully we can claw that back in the jumping.”

William Fox-Pitt (pictured) said: “You will be doing well to be up on your minute markers on the early section of the course, which is the most hilly, but the final three minutes are fairly flat and time could definitely be made up there.”

New Zealand’s Caroline Powell said: “It’s beautifully built, but the hills will be seriously hard on the horses, and I think it will be very difficult to get the time.”

The British team running order will be announced this afternoon.

Don’t miss H&H’s full report of the Olympic eventing, in the issue on sale FRIDAY 3 August – 23-page special report, with comments from Ruth Edge, Pippa Funnell and Mark Phillips, pictures of every cross-country fence, stunning photos and full analysis.

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

Event rider Harry Meade had a heart-stopping moment in the trot-up at Belton CIC*** yesterday (1 April) when vets spun his horse, Wild Lone.

But the Gloucestershire-based rider had forgotten the date – and members of the ground jury were actually playing an April Fool’s Day trick.

Harry tweeted: “Ground jury announced my horse had failed. Stewards, vets, etc. looked very glum – then they all shouted April fools!”

Luckily, Harry saw the funny side and Wild Lone went on to have just one rail in the showjumping and jump clear cross-country.

Meanwhile, fans of US event rider, Boyd Martin, were surprised to read in his blog that his wife, German-born Silva Martin, was taking over the ride on his top horse – Neville Bardos (pictured).

Silva is a grand prix dressage rider.

The Eventing Nation website was in on the joke, declaring that “the conversion would make perfect sense” as Silva has competed Neville at the lower levels before.

It continues by asking “if London [the Olympics] might be possible?”.

And for any readers who were still taken in, the website reassures them: “Don’t worry folks – Silva received US citizenship a couple of years ago and Boyd tells me she will definitely be riding for the red, white and blue.”

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

All of the top 10 horses going into the showjumping phase at the 2011 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials were passed fit to jump in the final horse inspection this morning.

Lucie McNichol withdrew Zeus Of Rushall from 30th place overnight, while Aoife Clark did not present Vaguely North (22nd). Flora Harris decided to withdraw Law Choice (19th) from the holding box.

There was an uncomfortable moment for William Fox-Pitt when he was asked to trot Navigator a second time by the ground jury, but he was then accepted. William was also asked to trot Navigator twice at the first horse inspection on Thursday.

This leaves 56 horses to contest the final showjumping phase later today.

Eye-catchers

Badminton final scores

Among the many eye-catchers were Lenamore and Prada, who both needed to be anchored by their respective riders, Caroline Powell and Lucinda Fredericks. Comanche also belied his 18 years as he towed James Robinson along.

The crowd showed their appreciation for the delightful Opposition Buzz, who was as beautifully turned out as Nicola Wilson in her stylish grey/green coat. Georgie Spencer and Lauren Shannon also looked particularly elegant in long coats.

Bright red socks were sported by Paul Tapner, while Buck Davidson chose a spotted variety of the same.

The final rider to present, Mary King, brought laughter to proceedings when she lost the heel of her shoe while trotting up a fresh Imperial Cavalier. As usual, Mary took the setback in good grace to the crowd’s delight.

Join in our live coverage of the showjumping phase from11am this morning at www.horseandhound.co.uk/badminton2011live/

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 horses all passed the final horse inspection for the eventing competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this morning (Tina Cook and Miners Frolic are pictured).

However, there was disappointment for the Americans, with Becky Holder withdrawing her grey Courageous Comet — who had trotted up very slowly with a low head carriage — from the holding box.

Becky was riding as an individual so this does not affect the team standings, but it is a huge blow for her as she was in the bronze position after cross-country.

Two more horses — Belgium’s Nooney Blue, ridden by Lara de Liedekerke, and Canada’s Madison Park, ridden by Kyle Carter — were sent to the holding box but passed on re-inspection.

The following horses were not presented: Sonja Johnson’s Ringwould Jaguar (Australia, team), Marco Cappai’s Dourango (Italy, individual), Duarte Seabra’s Fernhill Gloster Rebel (Portugal, individual) and Jessica Phoenix’s Exponential (Canada, individual).

Tina Cook clarified this morning that she did not appeal the decision to give her 20pen for her loop in the first water on yesterday’s cross-country. After reviewing the video footage with the ground jury, she felt her tracks were too close to contest the penalties.

Tina will be the first British rider to showjump today. The showjumping is scheduled to start at 1pm (6pm British time), but that may be brought forward slightly.

Log back on later to find out who takes the eventing medals, full report in H&H out 7 October, including comment from Tina Cook.

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 British horses, Rachel Gough’s ride Bow House Mandalin and Ben Hobday’s Guna Be Good, were withdrawn from the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials today after the first horse inspection.

Both combinations were sent to the holding box and subsequently withdrawn.

Two other horses, Quixotic (owned and ridden by Lauren Shannon) and Star Quality (ridden by Julia Crowson) also went to the holding box, but both passed on re-inspection.

Cornsay Grouse (Angus Smales) and Incan Winter (Richard Jones) were asked to run again and then accepted, although Cornsay Grouse’s second run appeared to be largely due to high spirits.

Seventy-nine horses were presented to the ground jury at Burghley for the first trot-up, with 77 going forward to the dressage.

WEG eventing squad member Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz are tomorrow morning’s dressage guinea pigs, with the first competitors, Selina Elliott and Bodidily, starting their test at 9:30am.

Don’t forget to stay up-to-date on all the action with our LIVE dressage text commentary tomorrow

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 failed the first horse inspection this afternoon at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and one was withdrawn from the holding box.

Super Rocky, the ride of Brazilian first-timer Marcelo Tosi, and Hannah Bate’s ride Valdemar were both eliminated by the ground jury when they were re-presented, having been sent to the holding box on first inspection.

Lea Ryder withdrew Deltry Salute from the holding box.

Georgie Spence’s first ride Birthday Night was also sent to the holding box, but passed on re-inspection.

Badminton final scores

The first competitor in the dressage tomorrow will be William Fox-Pitt on last year’s Luhmuhlen winner Macchiato at 9.30am. The guinea pig rider, Laura Collett on Rayef, will perform the test at 9.10am for the ground jury to get their eye in and check all the systems are working correctly.

Pictures of every cross-country fence.

H&H’s live dressage text commentary will start at 9am tomorrow — visit www.horseandhound.co.uk/badmintonlive.

Don’t miss H&H’s full 15-page Badminton report, out next Thursday (14 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

Click on the image below to watch Louise Skelton, Beanie Sturgis, Sam Griffiths and Georgie Davies at the first horse inspection at the 2008 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in front of the crowds at Badminton House.

Stay in touch with all the Badminton action on HorseandHound.co.uk

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 final horse inspection at Badminton — or any other three-day event — is so vital that it is often called the fourth phase. So what is the purpose of this process? What do the judges look for? And how do competitors prepare?

“We have the inspection because the FEI code says the welfare of the horse is paramount,” explains Paul Farrington MRCVS, the associate veterinary delegate at Badminton. “This is not a test of complete soundness. It’s a test of fitness to continue in the competition. On Sunday [compared with the first trot-up before the competition starts], we expect a little stiffness and soreness.”

The decision to pass each horse is taken by the three ground jury members, advised by a vet. A horse is rarely failed immediately — if the ground jury is unsure they normally send it to the holding box. There, another vet will talk to the rider and connections, can palpate the horse all over, use hoof testers and see the horse trot up on grass or another soft surface. The rider can withdraw from the holding box, or re-present to the ground jury, who will confer with the vet.

“We have to differentiate between post cross-country stiffness and a more severe injury,” says Paul. “Does the horse have an injury that by show jumping will make it worse? Is the horse so lame that it would bring the sport into disrepute if it continued?

“I might see a horse trot on grass in the holding box and say it’s only got a bruised foot and can show jump without any harm. But if in front of the ground jury it’s still very lame, in the interests of public perception they are bound to eliminate it.”

Saturday after cross-country

As a rider, presenting the horse well is one aspect of passing the trot-up; the other is the right post-cross-country care.

“You need to identify accurately areas of low-grade lameness. So if your horse’s feet are a weakness, get him well shod and then stand him in ice after the cross-country. If it’s his back, arrange for your massage therapist to be there. Have an organised plan,” says British senior team vet Jenny Hall MRCVS.

Most experienced three-day riders, grooms and vets routinely ice the horse’s legs.

“You’re trying to increase the blood flow and decrease the inflammatory response,” says Jenny, for whom whirlpool boots — where the horse stands in moving iced water — are the “gold option”.

Jackie Potts, William Fox-Pitt’s head girl, has her own system, using ice bags from the supermarket over wet all-purpose cleaning cloths and then boots on top.

“We take six icepacks to the finish, put two on the front legs while the horse is cooling off and one on each leg to walk back to the stable,” she says. “I’d carry on icing for 2hr, with ice on for 20min then off for 10min alternately.”

Jenny Hall is happy for riders to put their horse’s cold clay [Like Ice or similar product] and stable bandages on after a couple of hours of icing, and then to trot the horse up at around 5.30pm in its bandages. If there are no problems, she recommends a walk and a hand-graze, with another trot-up at 10pm.

Jackie Potts prefers to keep the cold clay off until after a 10pm trot-up and icing session, while Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks don’t use it at all, preferring dry bandages overnight.

Horses may also need attention to an injury. If it’s serious, it’s vital to get veterinary help, withdrawing if necessary.

Polly Taylor MRCVS, a vet and owner of Phoebe Buckley’s advanced ride Little Tiger, says: “You can work hard on things like cuts and bruises, but don’t try to cover up tendon injuries.”

Ice is very effective used intensively on bruises and cuts. If the problem is in the feet, you will need to get hoof testers on it and maybe remove the shoe. As well as standing the horse in buckets of iced water, feet can be packed with cold clay overnight.

Alternating hot and cold treatment works for some problems. Lucinda Fredericks used this method successfully on Headley Britannia when she had a haematoma on her shoulder at Luhmühlen last year. “Brit” also had acupuncture.

“Arnica can help, too,” says Lucinda. “And two other things that have really benefited our horses are using a chiropractor and Mirotec rugs [which use ‘space blanket’ technology for heat reflection].”

William Fox-Pitt’s horses often enjoy the attentions of physiotherapist Amanda Sutton, as well as magnetic rugs and the Equissage machine, while Jackie also recommends lasers for sore areas. She’s delighted if there’s a spa at the event, and will routinely give each horse one spa treatment — standing in cold water up to the knees and hocks — on Saturday evening and one on Sunday morning. “It gets the filling down really well, ” she says.

Sunday morning before the trot-up

On Sunday morning, it’s all about organisation and planning your time well. “Don’t leave things to the last minute,” says Lucinda. “What you saw on Saturday night may not be what you see on Sunday morning.”

Jackie Potts says grooms must always be one step ahead of their rider.

“By the time William arrives, I will have the cold clay off, the horses trotted up, iced once and plaited, as well as being fed, with water and hay,” she says.

Once the cold clay is off and the horse has been trotted up, you can make a plan.

“If the horse looks fine, I’d never recommend riding it in case something goes wrong,” says Jenny Hall. “But if it’s not happy, maybe ride it for 10-15min at 7am and if it looks better, again before the trot-up.

“Schedule things so you’re not walking round for hours — if the horse is tired, there are only so many minutes he can look his best. That needs to be when he’s in front of the ground jury.”

Riders and grooms all develop their own systems. For Polly Taylor, the most important thing is that the horse has a good rest and the chance to walk about. She doesn’t believe in icing the legs as a matter of course, and she and Phoebe Buckley often leave Little Tiger without bandages overnight.

“If there’s a serious problem, it’s better to find out. If not, stiffness will go with a good walk — on a long-rein for up to 1hr — in the morning.”

Jackie Potts emphasises that she’s not just trying to get the horse through one more day: “We’re preserving them for the future — that’s why William’s horses go on so long.”

And once you’ve passed the trot-up, that’s not the end of your responsibility to your horse’s welfare.

“Twice I’ve trotted horses up successfully and then withdrawn them before the show jumping,” says Lucinda Fredericks. “I managed to get them sound but I knew the horse wasn’t happy.”

This veterinary feature was first published in Horse & Hound (29 March, ’07)