Woods Baughman made a striking start at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on his first ever visit to the UK. Riding his own and his parents’ 14-year-old gelding C’Est La Vie 135, the US rider produced an impressive test to score 29.8 and go into equal second on the first morning of action (Thursday, 1 September).

The Contendro gelding (stable name also Contendro) is talented in this phase, but on his five-star debut in the spring he suffered an incident with an out-of-control horse in the warm-up and never settled. At Burghley, he scored nearly 10 points better.

“I was worried because he got very wound up in Kentucky, so it was good I had an early draw here,” says Woods, 26. “He’s such a fantastic horse in the first phase, and can pull in really high marks. But when he’s wound tight, he’s lucky to stay in the ring.

“Today he was very good all the way. I just got a little excited in the strike-off to extended trot, because it was so good I asked for a little more and he nearly broke into canter, so I had to rein it back in.”

Woods is looking forward to the jumping phases.

“He runs like crazy – the only problem we ever run into is when I can’t slow him down,” he says.

Burghley Horse Trials – Woods Baughman: ‘It took three days to travel here’

Although the dressage here went like clockwork, Woods Baughman’s trip to Burghley Horse Trials was “pretty rough”.

“C’Est La Vie’s flight was cancelled five times and mine was cancelled twice,” said Woods, who lives in Virginia and flew out of New York. “It added a little stress as he arrived here four days later than he was supposed to. It was a bit iffy – he was so flat having travelled for three days and so I felt bad for him and couldn’t work him much. I just hacked him twice a day and stretched him and waited until his energy came back, while thinking, ‘This isn’t great; you’ve got to compete next week’!

“Then I had a little jump on Sunday and he bolted twice with me, so I knew he was back. On Monday he didn’t want to hack any more so I knew he was good to go. He’s a pain to hack normally, so when he’s hacking quietly I know he’s really tired. When he’s spinning on his hindlegs, I know he’s on form.”

Woods has been staying with Willa Newton, half an hour away from Burghley, and has help on the flat from Bettina Hoy.

He decided to come to Burghley for his first European event after winning the USEF CCI4*-L National Championship in November, the prize being a free flight to any competition in the world, courtesy of international horse transporters Dutta Corp, which sponsored the class.

“I’m from Lexington, Kentucky, so that was my top event, and when I did that in the spring, I thought the only one I’ve only felt the need to do is Burghley,” he says. “When I won the flight I thought, ‘I have the horse to go’, so everything fell into place. Seeing Burghley as a real place is pretty cool.”

C’Est La Vie will have a few days off after Burghley in England, then fly home, and enjoy some time in the field with his buddies and start again ready for Kentucky 2023.

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The CCI4*-S had a dramatic conclusion as the leaderboard underwent a shake-up in an influential cross-country phase at Blenheim Horse Trials.

Nicola Wilson took victory riding Coolparks Sarco, who jumped a double clear inside the time to move up from third after showjumping. Piggy March was second on Cooley Lancer, climbing from sixth, while Caroline Harris was third with Miss Pepperpot. Meanwhile both first and second ahead of this phase, Ros Canter (Izilot DHI) and Tom Jackson (HH Moonwalk) dropped out of contention with run-outs.

Nicola Wilson had course experience over David Evans’ tough track. She had already steered Hawk Eye round clear inside the time when she came into the startbox on Coolparks Sarco, who repeated the feat.

“I’m delighted with both my horses, they both gave me a super ride, and finished on their dressage scores,” said Nicola, also fourth on Hawk Eye. “I thought it was a really difficult course with lots to jump. They had to be sharp and on their game. I’m so pleased with how they kept their focus. I’m pinching myself to have such very exciting horses.

“They have got bags of scope and ability and massive length of stride. It is all a bit unknown [at this level], you hope they stay confident and come up more grown up than they came in, and I couldn’t be more proud. Hopefully there’s something special round the corner for them.”

Piggy March’s former young horse world champion, eight-year-old Cooley Lancer, produced a stunning round just 3sec outside the time to move up from sixth and finish runner-up. Meanwhile Caroline Harris completed the podium in third spot with Miss Pepperpot. They jumped clear for two time-faults.

“She was amazing, very, very strong,” said Caroline. “She had a fall last time out at Wellington, but she didn’t let it faze her, she was keen and pulled me right the way through the finish. This was the toughest I’ve seen this course, testing the straightness and honesty of young horses.”

A day of drama on Blenheim horse trials cross-country

There was drama in the top 10, when long-time leader Ros Canter’s ride Izilot DHI glanced off one of the corners at the four-part combination at 12, in an otherwise excellent round.

Izzy Taylor came off seventh-placed ride Carolines Air KM before starting and the mare galloped off round the course. She was eventually caught and Izzy remounted and started out last of all. But it was not a going day for the mare, who decided to run out having already taken off at the corner at fence 5b and tipped Izzy out of the plate.

It wasn’t all bad for Izzy, as she had already jumped a super clear for 1.2 time-faults on Hartacker to seal fifth place, having started this phase in 11th.

“He is a real baby but he went round like a grown-up horse,” she said.

Tom Jackson was another to have the benefit of a clear inside the time with his lower-placed horse Ask For Manchier when he set off in the runner-up position on HH Moonwalk. But the bay had a run-out at a corner in the combination at fence 12b and took out a flag at another corner in the middle of fence 17.

Former winner of this class Willa Newton was lying fifth on Cock A Doodle Doo but dropped out of the prizes with a run-out at the final corner on course (17b).

“A relief to have a good run”

Will Rawlin made up for a fall across country in yesterday’s CCI4*-L, coming home in a decent time with 3.2 time-faults on Ballycoog Breaker Boy for eventual eighth.

“I really needed that round after yesterday [on The Partner], we had a miscommunication at an open corner and I hit the ground quite hard, so I’m still feeling it setting up a horse like Ballycoog Breaker Boy who is big and still quite weak,” said Will. “This horse is incredible, so straight not matter what line or gear I’m in he’ll jump whatever is in front of him. It’s a relief to have a really good run and get the job done.”

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Showjumping times on the final day of action in the CCI4*-L at Blenheim Horse Trials have been released following the second horse inspection. Today (Sunday, 19 September) also features the cross-country for the CCI4*-S.

The showjumping runs in reverse order, with 75 competitors due to jump. The first rider will showjump in the Palace Arena at 11.30am. Yasmin Ingham will be last into the ring as she bids for her first victory at this level on Banzai Du Loir. One rail covers the top 10, so the pressure is on not to make any mistakes.

The top 25 are due to start at 2.30pm. It’s likely that Piggy March will jump her sixth-placed Sportsfield Top Notch early due to her also holding second spot with Brookfield Quality.

CCI4*-L showjumping times: top 10 after cross-country (in time order)

• Piggy March and Sportsfield Top Notch, provisional sixth (27.9)
• Gemma Tattersall and Jalapeno III, 10th (28.7)
• Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs, ninth (28.5)
• Tom McEwen and Bob Chaplin, eighth (28.5)
• Pippa Funnell and Maybach, seventh (28.4)
• Susie Berry and John The Bull, fifth (27.9)
• Emily King and Valmy Biats, fourth (27.2)
• Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, third (26.7)
• Piggy March and Brookfield Quality, second (25.8)
• Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir, leading (25.2)

Blenheim Horse Trials cross-country for young horses

A total of 47 combinations are set to come forward to tackle the 3,860m CCI4*-S cross-country course, which has an optimum time of 6 minutes 46 seconds. With only 10 penalties separating first to 20th place, and a tough track lying ahead for these eight- and nine-year-olds, there is all to play for in this final phase.

Brazilian rider Marcio Carvalho Jorge is the pathfinder over David Evans’ track, with the competitors running in reverse order. Izzy Taylor and Nicola Wilson, who both have two horses in the top 12, will go out of order on their lower-placed horses.

CCI4*-S cross-country times: overnight top six after showjumping (in time order)

• 1.24pm: Piggy March and Cooley Lancer, provisional sixth (31.3)
• 1.28pm: Willa Newton and Cock A Doodle Doodle, fifth (31)
• 1.31pm: Caroline Harris and Miss Pepperpot, fourth (30.8)
• 1.35pm: Nicola Wilson and Coolparks Sarco, third (29.8)
• 1.38pm Tom Jackson and HH Moonwalk, second (29.6)
• 1.42pm Ros Canter and Izilot DHI, leading (28.2)

View the full list of CCI4*-L showjumping and CCI4*-S start times.

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Willa Newton (pictured) is a 30-year-old British event rider based in Leicestershire. She represented Britain at three consecutive young rider championships, winning team gold and individual silver in 2011. This season she has notched up two top-10 placings at five-star events, including eighth at Burghley and fifth at Luhmühlen.

Training the stars

My former top-level horse, Newmarket Vasco One, was notorious for getting tight and tense in the dressage but, as he was thoroughbred, I didn’t like overworking him because he’d get sore. I’d get to the event early and settle him by showing him his environment and getting him used to the atmosphere, which would help him in the arena.

Tension in the dressage phase is pretty common with fit event horses, and can appear in many different ways. It can be caused by a variety of things, such as a big atmosphere or windy conditions.

There are many different ways to combat tension in the arena and it’s important to devise a system that works for your horse.

Tackling the issue

1. Firstly, I always consider the warm-up. It is vital to have a clear routine for each horse; I experiment with different things to work out exactly what works for each individual. This can take a while, but it’s worth it as a good warm-up is key to consistency.

2. I like to keep the work at competitions the same as what I am doing at home, so my horses gain confidence and can feel as relaxed as possible.

If I have a horse who gets tight in the back, I do a lot of stretching and long-and-low work to encourage him to relax over his back before I pick him up. I also avoid too much uphill work before the test as this can make horses sore in the back and the tension can then be even worse.

I like exercises that get your horse really listening to your seat and aids. This seems to reduce the tension because they are focusing on you rather than other distractions.

3. Another technique I like to use is to do lots of loose lungeing when I am at the competition as I find this gives my horses a chance to release any pressure and tightness. That way, rather than overdoing the ridden work and risking making him sore and tight, the horse has the opportunity to work on his own balance and is more likely to be relaxed when you get on.

4. If your horse is spooky, spend time on arena familiarisation to work out what he finds particularly spooky. This way, you can prepare — for example, using a bit more inside flexion to distract him from that particular area.

Making the most of the arena familiarisation gives your horse time to relax in the new atmosphere and environment. This will help him return to the arena relaxed and ready to work during the test.

Continued below…

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Things to consider…

• Always ensure your horse’s tension or spookiness isn’t pain-related and that he is physically in good health and his tack fits.
• Wearing soundproof ear covers can help to muffle noise, which can encourage some horses to settle during the dressage test.
• Only ask your horse to compete at a level for which he’s well prepared — over-facing him can exacerbate any anxiety.

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

Willa Newton is recovering at home after she was treated in hospital for a pelvis injury incurred in a cross-country schooling accident.

“I am devastated to report that I have injured my pelvis, following a fall cross-country schooling last week, but am now home from hospital,” she said in a statement.

“Both the horse and I will live to fight another day and, in the meantime, it’s great to be home and I can’t thank the whole team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital enough for their brilliant care.

“It is so frustrating because the horses were going so well at home and I was really looking forward to getting back competing next week. I plan to be back in action as soon as I can and will keep everybody posted. In the meantime, I would like to thank all my owners and sponsors, who have been so patient already during lockdown, for their continued support.”

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Willa, 30, is one of British eventing’s up-and-coming stars. She finished eighth at Burghley in 2018 on Chance Remark and won the eight- and nine-year-old CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) at Blenheim in 2016 on Caja 20. She is also a junior and young rider team gold medallist and won individual silver at the young rider European Championships in 2011 with Neelix.

The timing of Willa’s injury will be particularly frustrating as the British Eventing season restarts this weekend – with fixtures at Tweseldown, Barbury and Aske – having been on hold since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown.

We are continuing to produce Horse & Hound as a weekly magazine during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to keep our website at horseandhound.co.uk up to date with breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

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Willa is a junior and young rider team gold medallist in eventing and won individual silver at the young rider European Championships in 2011 with Neelix. She finished eighth at Burghley in 2018 on Chance Remark and won the eight- and nine-year-old CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) at Blenheim in 2016 on Caja 20.

What’s the best or last book you’ve read?

My cousin James Taylor’s autobiography, Cut Short. James played cricket for England before his career was cut short when a serious heart condition forced him to retire. His journey and story are amazing – he’s a true sportsman with incredible strength of character.

What are your favourite tunes for a road-trip?

I’m a real mixed bag in terms of music taste – it ranges from George Ezra to the old classics of Dolly Parton, Fleetwood Mac and Paul Simon.

Which famous person would you invite to dinner? Nelson Mandela.

If you weren’t a rider, what would you be? It would have to be working outdoors and in some competitive field.

Do you speak any other languages? Sadly not, much to my mother’s disappointment!

What’s your favourite country? England for sure, but I do enjoy travelling.

What’s your most annoying habit? Saying sorry too often!

How many dogs do you have? Any other pets?

On the yard we have a whippet, Bramble, and a lurcher, Shrimp, who love to come riding, and I couldn’t forget my sister Chloe’s regular pug visitor, Mushroom!

What is the best dish you cook?

I can’t say I’m Delia in disguise, but I love good food and have a yummy prawn pasta dish up my sleeve.

How are you and your horses coping during the coronavirus crisis?

We are doing everything we can to keep going and keep the horses in the best possible shape for when everyone is back to full health and the show can go on. I am very grateful to my owners and sponsors who are all being so supportive in these difficult times.

Give us the lowdown on your current top horse

Moonlight Dance S is a real character and has everything you need in an event horse, but she’s definitely the princess of the yard. I found her from Dirk Schrade in Germany when she was a six year-old – I just happened to be going out there and she had arrived in the yard the day before. Dancer is her stable name and is very appropriate as she definitely likes to dance.

Ref Horse & Hound; 14 May 2020

Top event horse Chance Remark, who found his home thanks to an overheard pub conversation, has retired from competition after a distinguished career spanning 12 years.

The 17-year-old, by Actinum, jumped double clear around Burghley last year to finish eighth and also took a fifth place at Luhmühlen CCI4* (now CCI5*-L) with Willa Newton.

“We had really hoped to give him one more season but sadly it wasn’t meant to be,” said Willa.

“He had been in such good form and in great condition that it was gutting to have to withdraw him at the last minute before Badminton. He has done so much for me and, having had such a brilliant season last year, it is definitely the right decision.”

Bought by Feena Machin from Ireland as a four-year-old, the Irish-bred gelding was started by Feena and did his first affiliated events with Nicky McDonnell. He was then campaigned by Feena’s daughter, Boogie, and Rebecca Crosbie-Starling prior to joining Willa’s string in 2013.

It was down to an overheard conversation in an Irish pub that Feena found the horse — and how he got his name.

“I was looking to buy two horses — I wanted an eight-year-old with showjumping form that wasn’t going to make the grade, but was safe, for Boogie, and I wanted a four-year-old four-star (now five-star) horse,” explained Feena. “And I found them both on the same trip to Ireland.”

The “two-star horse” was Blockbuster III, (“Ben”) who competed up to CCI2* (now CCI3*-L) with Boogie and also with Canada’s Waylon Roberts, finishing 10th at the London Olympic test event. Now aged 22, he is still enjoying an active life of hunting and showjumping.

Meanwhile the “four-star horse” was Chance Remark (“Austen”) — so called because someone overheard her “chance remark” that she was looking for a horse.

“I was in a pub in Ireland and was telling anybody who would listen that I wanted to buy a four-star horse,” she added.

“Somebody overheard me and tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘I don’t know where you can find a two-star horse, but I do know a four-year-old that would make four-star’.”

Feena added the person told her that the horse was not entered in a sale that was happening in the area at that time and told her to go and wait at a point where a blue van would pull up, which she should get in.

“I climbed in the back and pulled the door to behind me — I didn’t see or speak to the driver — we drove for about 15 miles and I thought ‘maybe this wasn’t such a good idea’,” she laughed. “We got to the yard and they showed me Austen, who was this beautiful, classy animal. But when we loose-jumped him, he had no class or style.

“That was until we put the fence up to a 4ft parallel and he came round the corner, lowered his head, got right underneath it, ballooned over it, kicked out his back end, and landed in trot. Then he turned and looked at me as if to say: ‘Satisfied? Can I go and have my dinner now?’

“The look on his face was so arrogant it reminded me of when the supermodel Linda Evangelista famously said ‘we don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day’. He was saying ‘if you don’t put the jumps up, then I won’t bother’.”

Feena always wanted Austen to fulfil his top-level potential and tried to sell him with that in mind several times, but he failed the vet, on X-rays for things that have “never caused him problems”.

“He also had zero tolerance of people that didn’t sit lightly and ask him nicely,” she said.

“I am eternally grateful to Willa as she has made him shine.”

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The horse, who is now co-owned by Feena, Peter Thomas, Jenny Leslie and Christina Thompson, finished 12th in the 2018 British Eventing (BE) rankings and retires with 520 BE points to his name.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have done what we have done together and I am so very grateful to him for giving me some amazing moments,” added Willa.

“I don’t think I will ever ride a horse that makes five-star feel that easy and I am just so grateful to the owners that I got to play a small part in this amazing horse’s career.

“Austen owes us nothing and, although it was a difficult decision to retire him, hopefully he can enjoy a happy retirement fit and well.”

A statement from Feena and Peter said it is “every owner’s dream to achieve five-star success”.

“We are immensely proud of Willa and her team for establishing such a great relationship with Chance Remark (aka Austen) and taking us on a fantastic journey to the top,” they added.

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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Young British four-star rider Willa Newton broke her collarbone in a fall last weekend, but is hoping to be back in the saddle in time to ride at Burghley.

Willa, 28, was riding her own six-year-old Cock A Doodle Doo in a novice section at Buckminster Park (7-8 July) when he made “a very unusual mistake”.

“I think he tripped coming off the step,” Willa told H&H. “He’s an amazing horse and it was just one of those things.”

Cock A Doodle Doo, who had never had a jumping fault across country before and had been in the top 10 in his previous four novice runs, was not injured.

Willa had her collarbone operated on on Wednesday (11 July), but does not yet have a detailed plan of when she will return to action. She hopes to ride at Burghley (30 August-2 September) on Chance Remark, which whom she finished fifth at Luhmühlen CCI4* in Germany in June.

“I need to see physios and so on to make a plan, but I’ll definitely be doing everything I can to get back quickly,” she said.

Willa finished 35th at Burghley last year on Chance Remark, who belongs to Peter Thomas and Feena Machin.

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The Melton Mowbray-based rider experienced the highs and lows of eventing at Buckminster as she won BE100 section C on Jesmond Rainbow and finished seventh in the five-year-old class on Cipriani before the fall.

Willa won junior team gold in 2008 and young rider team gold and individual silver in 2011, all riding Neelix, who was retired earlier this year. She was long-listed for the senior European Championships in Strzegom last season with Caja 20.

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 Barbury, plus first column from new columnist Mary King, in this week’s issue (dated 12 July).

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 events of the season are always a thrill. It doesn’t matter that top horses tend to be run slowly, in anticipation of bigger things in a few months’ time — just seeing them again gives us a buzz. Here we celebrate 12 of Britain’s best event horses jumping round Oasby last weekend (8-11 March 2018)

Don’t miss the full report and analysis in tomorrow’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (15 March 2018)

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Neelix, the horse who kick-started Willa Newton’s eventing career and won three medals in under-21 competition, is being retired.

The 18-year-old horse, who belongs to Willa’s father Joey and is known as “Chip”, will retire on the family’s farm, Newton’s Hall Place farm near Melton Mowbray and may continue to be ridden and hack out at home.

“He’d been so good last year and we thought as he is 18 now and has always been a bit fragile, we’d rather he go out happy and healthy on such a great season last year. We don’t want to push him and have something awful happen,” Willa told H&H.

The 27-year-old British rider added: “Neelix is a horse of lifetime; he has taught me so much and I owe him everything. He really did make me realise it was possible to have a career in eventing.

“There aren’t many horses that can take you from Pony Club and juniors to four-star. We bought him as a junior horse to get me started, then he went two-star, then three-star, then he was meant to go to Badminton the year it was cancelled [2012]. In hindsight I should have taken him to Luhmühlen as his first four-star that year, but it was amazing to have a ride at Burghley on him.”

Willa took a late fall in the arena at Burghley, but two years later she and Neelix achieved a four-star completion at Luhmühlen.

“He did have a run-out, but he was really good there and I had a great spin on him,” said Willa.

Neelix, a son of Maltstriker, did his first two British Eventing competitions in 2005 with Paul Sims, before being competed by British-based Dutch rider Andrew Heffernan for two seasons. Willa and Neelix teamed up in 2007, finishing that season by finishing fifth in the junior CCI* at Weston Park.

The following season the pair won an under-21 open intermediate at Belton in the spring and were members of the gold medal-winning team at the junior European Championships at Thirlestane, Scotland, in August, finishing sixth individually. The pair then represented Britain at three young rider European Championships, winning team gold and individual silver in 2011 at Blair Castle, Scotland. They were also sixth at the championships in Pardubice, in the Czech Republic, in 2010, where they competed as individuals.

Willa named their young rider medals as the highlight of Neelix’s career, as well as their final two seasons in CIC3* competition. The pair finished third and second at Hartpury CIC3* in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, his last year of eventing, Neelix also finished sixth in the CIC3*s at Burgham and Bramham and 13th in the Event Rider Masters final at Blenheim, missing out on fourth place only due to activating a frangible pin.

“Last year he felt so good and we had so much fun doing CIC3*s in his final two seasons — they were perfect competitions for him,” said Willa.

Article continues below…

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Looking back, Willa added that Neelix has been an “absolute dream” to ride.

“I love that horse so much — he’s quite sharp and cheeky and has definitely got something about him, but even after time off he was so easy and light and just wanted to work for you all the time. He’s very special.”

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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We pick out the most stunning, outlandish and unusual looks from the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials first horse inspection. Which is your favourite?

Pictures by Peter Nixon

Sophie braved the cold when she matched a short skirt with her hat and her Chelsea Coat from Holland Cooper.

Georgie sported a stylish coat (the City Chelsea Coat from Holland Cooper) and white jeans.

What A Catch's white socks set off Libby's cape (Tweed and Fur Cape by Holland Cooper), white jeans and long boots, which are The Amira style, from Fairfax & Favor.

Piggy joined the cape trend, but hers was of a lighter material than most.

Andrew wore a matching orange hat, tie and loafers.

Sarah showed off the first hat on the runway and it was beautifully matched to her jacket, which carried metallic buttons.

Most riders opted for trousers today, but Emma sported a dress — does it have snaffle bits on it? We think so…

Toddy's chinos and blazer caught the eye of the judges of the Hiho Silver Jewellery fashion prize — and he took the men's award. His shoes are The Mayfair by Fairfax & Favor.

Louisa shows her Scottish roots.

The Irish pair also pleased the fashion police and Clare took the Hiho Silver Jewellery women's outfit prize.

It's a big Union flag for Nana.

Red and black tassels on her boots were the highlight of Lynn's outfit.

Willa trotted up in an unusual green velvet jacket.

This Burghley debutante sported a pink hat and pink tassels to her boots, plus a drop hem coat.

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

Nineteen pairs have been long-listed for the British team for the eventing European Championships in Strzegom, Poland (17-20 August).

The list does not contain many surprises, with the pairs who have performed well at the spring three-day events such as Badminton, Bramham and Luhmühlen included. Thirteen riders are on the list, with Ros Canter, Tina Cook, Piggy French, Gemma Tattersall, Oliver Townend and Nicola Wilson listed with two horses.

Among those listed are four potential senior squad debutants — Alex Bragg, Ros Canter, Sarah Cohen and Willa Newton. Sarah was selected for the 2004 Olympics, but did not ride as The Wexford Lady suffered an injury once in Athens. Tom McEwen has also not made it beyond the trot-up at a senior championship as Diesel was spun at the first horse inspection at the Europeans in Malmö in 2013.

There are two surprising omissions from the list. Zara Tindall is not listed with High Kingdom, with whom she finished third at Kentucky CCI4* in April. The pair jumped a steady double clear in the advanced intermediate at Farley Hall last weekend and are entered for the Event Rider Masters at Barbury next month.

Sarah Bullimore also does not appear among those long-listed, despite finishing sixth at Luhmühlen this month on Lilly Corinne. The chestnut mare is entered for Aston-le-Walls (3) advanced in July.

The squad of six will be announced at the end of July.

The long-listed pairs are:

Alex Bragg with Sally Ellicot’s Zagreb

Ros Canter with Caroline Moore and her own Allstar B, and her own Zenshera

Sarah Cohen with Preci-Spark Ltd and Elizabeth Jones’s Treason

Laura Collett with Keith and Louise Scott, Nick and Lyn How and her own Mr Bass

Tina Cook with Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red, and Pip Wates, Ailsa Wates and Equine Aqua Training’s Calvino II

Pippa Funnell with Filippo Friedenberg’s and her own Billy The Biz

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

Tom McEwen with Jane Inns, his mother Ali and his own Toledo De Kerser

Willa Newton with her father Joey and Lady Sarah McCorquodale’s Caja 20

Gemma Tattersall with The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul, and The Pebbles Syndicate’s Quicklook V

Izzy Taylor with Dr Patricia Turner’s Trevidden

Oliver Townend with Karyn Shuter and Angela Hislop’s Ballaghmor Class, and Angela Hislop’s Cooley SRS

Nicola Wilson with James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana, and Gerry and Mary Kemp and Janine Shewan’s One Two Many

Continued below…

More eventing news:

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It was all change among the top three at the German CCI4* in the final showjumping phase

History made at Bramham as first Japanese rider takes CCI3* title: disappointment for overnight leader

There was a dramatic shake up of the leaderboard on the final day of the CCI3* at Bramham

Shock result on final day of Badminton: record-breaker takes emotional victory

Find out how the final day of competition unfolded

The combinations are required to maintain their current form to remain on the list ahead of the championships.

Performance manager Richard Waygood said: “I’m very, very excited about this year’s championships; there is real quality and depth among the long-list and we are very much looking forward to the championships in Strzegom.”

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A euphoric Bettina Hoy scored her first CCI3* victory for “a bloody long time” having led at Blenheim Horse Trials from the very first day.

With Gerd-Hermann Horst’s beautiful 10-year-old Westphalian Seigneur Medicott, she added just 8.3 time penalties to his brilliant dressage score to complete over 10 pens ahead of his nearest rival, Andrew Nicholson and his own and Philip Channer’s Teseo.

Bettina, 52, only competes a small string these days, but hopes to put a syndicate together to retain the ride on this horse which shortly goes up for sale.

The horse is not always faultless showjumping as he was today. “But I remembered what [her former teammate] Hinrich Romeike said at the Hong Kong Olympics before showjumping [which they won]. He said he didn’t feel nervous because the horse had never jumped a clear round before — there was no point being nervous.”

Second was Andrew Nicholson on his own and Philip Channer’s diminutive chestnut Teseo, out of the same dam as Qwanza, his four-star winner. “There’s not a lot of him but he’s unbelievably fast,” says Andrew. His show jumping round for just the first down was masterfully ridden.

In third place, scoring the biggest result of her life, was local girl Lydia Hannon, 27, from Thame, on Carol and Christopher Harris’s mare My Royal Touch. They came here primarily to secure Badminton qualification. “But I was secretly wishing for a top 10 finish. If that doesn’t get us into Badminton now I don’t know what will,” said Lydia.

The biggest disappointment on the final day was for USA’s Hannah Sue Burnett on her experienced Harbour Pilot. “We brought him here to try to win Blenheim,” Hannah Sue had said. But two fences down dropped them to fifth. “He obviously worked really hard yesterday, and he doesn’t always jump well off grass. I’m disappointed — but he’s still the best horse in the world.”

Young Brits to the fore in the eight/nine-year-old CIC

Another young Brit scored the biggest win of her career in the CIC3* for eight- and nine-year-olds when Willa Newton, 26, climbed from third overnight with a fast cross-country round on Lady Sarah McCorquodale and her father Joey’s chestnut mare Caja 20.

The pair have numerous German connections as the Hannoverian mare was found for her four years ago by Dirk Schrade and Willa trains with Chris Bartle and Bettina Hoy, among others.

“She’s very sharp, but totally focused when you start,” said Willa. “Chris Bartle told me the time was possible and though she’s only eight she felt so confident.”

The pair added just two time-penalties to their dressage score, and crowned a brilliant Blenheim for Willa as she also came 8th in the CCI on Chance Remark.

Continued below…

Related articles:

Bettina Hoy leads Blenheim CCI3* after wet cross-country: ‘That was hard work!’

Bettina Hoy leads Blenheim CCI3* after dressage: ‘He really tries to concentrate’

Second in the CIC was Laura Collett on Lyn and Nick How, Louise and Keith Scott and her own Mr Bass, her world seven-year-old champion from Le Lion last year. “He’s always been my fun horse, but he’s just getting better and better,” said Laura of the horse who is off to Boekelo next.

They were among just four combinations to go inside the time cross-country, along with Andrew Nicholson and Paul Ridgeon’s Swallow Springs, who finished third. The horse came to him as a “talented but naughty horse” from Donal Barnwell. Much of his early career was spent putting Andrew on the floor, but he’s “good at jumping and dressage and he’s very fast”.

Full report from Blenheim in H&H next week, out Thursday, 15 September.

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Five horses have left the competition at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials before the showjumping, including three who were in the top 20 after yesterday’s cross-country.

Redesigned, owned by Denise and Roger Lincoln and ridden by Pippa Funnell (pictured top), was sent to the holding box at this morning’s horse inspection. He was then withdrawn. The chestnut was in 12th place.

Willa Newton, who really impressed with her fast cross-country round and moved up fom 62nd to 16th, pulled out her father Joey’s Newmarket Vasco One before the trot-up.

Jeanette Brakewell’s ride Lets Dance (pictured below), owned by her breeder Ruth Williams and sitting 17th overnight, was another sent to the holding box. Jeanette re-presented her, but she was eliminated by the ground jury (Nick Burton, Christina Klingspor and Andrew Bennie).

Matthew Heath (48th overnight) must dread trot-ups — his ride The Lion, who belongs to him, Emma Clarke, Clare Davis and Henny Kenney-Herbert, was spun at the first one at Badminton this year and he was held on Wednesday here. He had no more success today, being sent to the holding box and then eliminated on re-presentation.

Sweden’s Dag Albert also withdrew Elizabeth Albert’s Tubber Rebel, 27th after cross-country, before the trot-up.

Michael Jung’s overnight leader, La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, was trotted up by his groom as Michael hurt his leg in his fall yesterday with his other horse, FischerRocana FST.

One other horse was sent to the holding box this morning, Susie Guild’s Finbury Hill. But Hannah Bate’s ride, who is 28th overnight, was accepted when he was re-presented.

Several other horses were asked to trot again this morning but then passed. They included: Allstar B (Rosalind Canter, 41st), plus two US runners, Donner (Lynn Symansky, 20th) and Covert Rights (Colleen Routledge, 30th).

H&H’s bloggers were both accepted. Nana Dalton (pictured below) wore a zebra-striped coat to present the grey Elite Syncopation (43rd), while Simon Grieve opted for a classic look of suit and blue tie for trotting up Cornacrew (47th).

This morning’s showjumping session starts at 10.45am, with the top 24 showjumping at 2.25pm. All the showjumping is in reverse order

Join us for H&H Live coverage of the showjumping

Full report from Burghley in next week’s H&H, out Thursday, 10 September — 17 pages of photos and analysis, including columns from Ruth Edge, Lucy Wiegersma and Mark Phillips.

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The home side came out on top in Luhmühlen CCI4*, presented by DHL, this morning, when Ingrid Klimke showjumped clear to keep first place.

The showjumping time of 88 seconds proved tight, but Ingrid rode in her customary forward style without a trace off nerves to finish fault-free on Madeleine Winter-Schulze and the Germany Olympic equestrian committee’s FRH Escada JS.

“She’s the best horse I’ve ever had and tries so hard,” said Ingrid. “At Badminton I was thrilled for William [Fox-Pitt, who won while Ingrid was second] because he had his whole gang and I only had five people — here I have everyone, so to win Luhmühlen means more to me.”

The top five all showjumped clear to hold their places. Jonelle Price took second for New Zealand on Faerie Dianimo, Germany’s Michael Jung (La Biosthetique-Sam FBW) was third, with Christopher Burton (Graf Liberty) fourth for Australia and Kiwi Mark Todd fifth on NZB Campino.

“It’s extraordinary how good the top ones are — lower down you saw jumping and time-faults, but then the leading ones all come out and jump clear and it’s nice to be one of them,” said Jonelle.

New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell, sixth overnight, had an expensive round with Kaapachino, taking out fence eight and all three parts of the treble at 10. He also had five time-faults to fall 10 places to 16th.

Things also didn’t go quite to plan for Britain’s Coral Keen, who dropped from 11th after cross-country to 17th. Riding Total Equestrian Construction and her father Steve’s Wellshead Fare Opposition, she lowered fences 4b, eight, nine and 10c.

Nicky Roncoroni (video interview below) finished best of the British — she put in the first clear in the time today with her mother Janey’s Stonedge to move up from 17th to 12th.

“I walked the track and thought it was the biggest course I’d ever seen at a horse trials, but he jumped his socks off,” she said.

Willa Newton also cleared all the fences with her father Joey’s Newmarket Vasco One and her four time-faults still allowed her to rise two places to 13th.

“It’s a bit frustrating to have the time-faults, but he jumped really well,” said Willa.

Britain’s Emily Lochore was first into the arena today for Britain and had just one time-fault on Hexmaleys Hayday, moving up a place to 24th.

Full report from Luhmühlen in the magazine this week, out Thursday, 25 June.

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All 25 horses who finished the cross-country in the Luhmühlen CCI4*, presented by DHL, were presented to the ground jury at this morning’s trot-up and passed.

It is rare for all those who complete the cross-country at a three-day event to progress to the final showjumping phase — some horses are nearly always withdrawn before or at the horse inspection or spun by the ground jury. But perfect conditions at Luhmühlen helped ensure all were fit to continue.

“It was really hard here on Monday, but we worked hard with watering and the Verti-Drainer and horses have seldom run on better footing,” commented course-designer Mark Phillips.

The ground jury of Christoph Hess, Anne-Mette Binder and Andrew Bennie did not send any horses to the holding box or even ask any to trot again.

British competitor Emily Lochore’s mount Hexmaleys Hayday was clearly terrified of the crowd who had gathered to watch and was keen to get his trot-up over as quickly as possible. The commentator asked the crowd not to applaud so as not to upset him more.

Newmarket Vasco One also gave his rider, Britain’s Willa Newton, a moment of concern as he took fright at something while she was turning him round at the far end of the strip and jumped.

Willa was one of two Brits inside the time yesterday — she sits 15th, while Coral Keen is best of Team GB in 11th on Wellshead Fare Opposition.

Nicky Roncoroni, who finished one second over the 11min 10sec optimum time, holds 17th on Stonedge. Emily Lochore is 25th after one run-out and 22.4 time-faults and will be first to showjump today at 11.15am.

At the top end Germany’s Ingrid Klimke leads on FRH Escada JS, but the next four competitors are all within one fence of her. New Zealand’s Jonelle Price (Faerie Dianimo, pictured) lies second, the home side’s Michael Jung (La Biosthetique-Sam FBW) third and Australia’s Christopher Burton (Graf Liberty) holds fourth.

Final update from Luhmühlen online later, full report in the magazine this week, out Thursday, 25 June.

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Ingrid Klimke leads the CCI4* presented by DHL at Luhmühlen after today’s cross-country, riding the 2013 European individual silver medallist FRH Escada JS.

The home side rider was one of 13 to go clear and inside the time over Mark Phillips’ course, moving up from second after dressage.

“She was super fit and she jumps so big she jumps over the top of all the hedges — she loves it so much,” said Ingrid after her round on Madeleine Winter-Schulze and the German Olympic equestrian committee’s 11-year-old (video interview above).

New Zealand’s Jonelle Price sits second after a fault-free round on Trisha Rickards and Jacky Green’s Faerie Dianimo, although there was some confusion at the end of her round as she was mistakenly pulled up between the penultimate and final fences. However, she was restarted and given no time-faults.

“I had a beautiful round and she felt more campaigned and experienced than at Pau [where she was fourth],” said Jonelle. “I had no nervous moments — I didn’t hit any flags or anything — so I was confused when they started waving flags at me before the penultimate fence. I tried to ignore it and jumped the second to last, but then they were really waving flags at me, so I pulled up.

“It turned out it was an innocent mistake, which was unfortunate, but mistakes happen and it didn’t affect our round so no one is the worse for wear.”

Michael Jung is now third for Germany on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, but he retired his other horse FischerRocana FST. The Rolex Kentucky winner lost her footing after jumping into the third water, the Meßmer Teich, and Michael did very well to stay on, but there was no way the pair could take the step up at 17b.

Overnight leader Julien Despontin jumped round clear on Waldano 36, but the young Belgian finished nearly a minute over the 11min 10sec optimum time and the resulting penalties dropped him to 19th place.

Five Brits started the cross-country after Tom McEwen withdrew Diesel before the off.

Kirsty Johnston pulled up Opposition Detective after two run-outs at the wall corner at 12b. Emily Lochore had a run-out at the skinny hedge off a bounce distance from the step at 17 after a hairy ride through with Hexmaleys Hayday, but she finished with 22.4 time-faults for 25th place.

However, three young British riders impressed. Nicky Roncoroni was just one second over the optimum time to move up to 17th with her mother Janey’s Stonedge. Willa Newton, on her father Joey’s Newmarket Vasco One, and Coral Keen, piloting Total Equestrian Construction and her father Steve’s Wellshead Fare Opposition, both went clear inside the time.

Willa has moved up to 15th and Coral is currently 11th.

“I was definitely napping before the start and thinking, ‘I don’t think want to do this’ but now I’m very happy and I think ‘Derby’ is very happy,” said Coral, who was achieving her first four-star cross-country completion.

There was some confusion over Clark Montgomery’s round, as the US rider looked to finish clear and one second over the optimum with Loughan Glen. However, he then appeared on the results as eliminated, believed to be because he actually jumped the wrong side of a flag at the angled brush at fence 28b. The current provisional results show him as seventh, with his elimination overturned, but they could still change.

More updates from Luhmühlen online tomorrow, full report in H&H this week, out Thursday, 25 June.

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Another rider has squeaked into this week’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials from the wait-list.

H&H was advised yesterday afternoon that Ben Hobday (14th on original wait-list) was the final rider accepted before the 2pm deadline.

But there had in fact been another last-minute withdrawal — first-timer Willa Newton has had to pull Neelix, letting in Sarah Bullimore and My Last One.

This is My Last One’s Badminton debut, after finishing 22nd at Burghley last year (pictured). Sarah has completed Badminton twice, including (as Sarah Longshaw) when she made her debut by riding Ballycotton to his seventh finish here (his others were with Andrew Harris). He set a new record for horse completions, now equalled by Over To You, Comanche and Lenamore.

Willa’s withdrawal leaves three British first-timers in the field: Tom McEwen (Dry Old Party), Jamie Atkinson (Celtic Fortune) and Louisa Milne Holme (King Eider). Tom, 21, is also the youngest rider.

Badminton final scores

Badminton entries (combinations marked WL have not been accepted from the wait-list and will not run)

Don’t miss the second part of H&H’s Badminton preview — a 16-page pull-out with form guide and a scorecard to fill in for every rider — on sale this Thursday, 2 May.

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Germany’s Olympic champion Michael Jung and his gold medal-winning team-mates from London 2012 head up the entry list for this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, revealed this morning.

Michael will field two horses on his Badminton debut, his European, Olympic and world champion La Biosthetique-Sam FBW (pictured) and last year’s Luhmühlen CCI**** winner Leopin FST. He stands a good chance of being the first person to win on their first attempt here since Mark Todd triumphed back in 1980.

Three more of the German team from the Games will come to Badminton: the individual bronze medalists Sandra Auffarth (also a first-timer) and Opgun Louvo, Dirk Schrade (who is looking for a first completion having withdrawn after dressage in 2006) on his London ride King Artus and Hop And Skip and Ingrid Klimke — who was second here in 2006 with Sleep Late and rides FRH Butts Abraxxas this time.

All the British silver medal winners have entered their London horses. Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz have been in the top eight three times here, while Zara Phillips’ ride High Kingdom makes his debut.

Tina Cook will want a first completion as well as a high placing for Miners Frolic, who fell in The Lake in 2010 and was withdrawn before dressage in 2011 with the wither lump which went on to trigger his serious health issues that year. Tina has a second ride in the home-bred De Novo News.

Badminton final scores

Mary King has a choice of three rides (riders can only start on two horses): Imperial Cavalier, Kings Temptress and Fernhill Urco, who all have strong four-star results to their names.

William Fox-Pitt has an impressive line-up of five horses entered as he seeks to complete the valuable Rolex Grand Slam: London ride Lionheart, Bramham winner Chilli Morning, world silver medallist Cool Mountain, Burghley and Kentucky winner Parklane Hawk and Oslo, the 2011 Pau winner who is returning from injury this season.

Four of the riders who took team bronze for New Zealand compete, three of them potentially on their London horses. Andrew Nicholson has Nereo, Avebury and Mr Cruise Control entered, Mark Todd also has three (new ride Ravenstar, Major Milestone and NZB Campino). Jock Paget has Clifton Promise and Clifton Lush, while Caroline Powell has Boston Two Tip and Onwards And Upwards, but will miss the recently-retired Lenamore. If Jonelle Richards and Flintstar get in from the waiting list (22nd), all five of the Kiwi London team will be here.

Seven riders who have won before are entered: Paul Tapner, William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell (who, excitingly, has Redesigned on the list), Mary King, Oliver Townend, Mark Todd and Lucinda Fredericks. Lucinda is 23rd on the waiting list with Prada, but if the numbers from previous years hold true, she is likely to get in (see more below).

H&H eventing diarist Lauren Shannon is entered with Zero Flight, while first-timers to watch include 2011 young rider team gold and individual silver medallist Willa Newton with Neelix (second on the waiting list) and Tom McEwen, 19th on his four-star debut at Burghley 2011 with the horse he rides here, Dry Old Party.

How many will get in from the waiting list?

In all, 141 horses were entered for Badminton — an identical number to last year. Fifty are on the waiting list, just one more than last year.

Ninety-one horses have been accepted, but a maximum of 85 will start — the extras take into account that four riders have more than two horses accepted, but they can only start on two.

Horses are accepted into Badminton on the basis of which have won the most FEI points at three- and four-star level in the past two years, so the horses with most points are accepted and then the others are wait-listed in points order.

Since this system was brought in 2008, between 17 (in 2011) and 43 horses (in 2009) have been accepted from the waiting list into the competition. Badminton was cancelled in 2012 before the cut-off point so there are no comparable statistics. The average from the four years between 2009 and 2011 is 32 horses accepted from the waiting list.

If that average applied this year, Emily Llewellyn and Pardon Me II, 32nd on the list, would be the final combination to get in, while those who miss out would include Georgie Spence with Running Brook II (42nd on the list), a rider who has previously won the best under-25 prize here, and vet Tony Warr (44th) on his popular horse Coolgrange Merger.

The wait-listed entries will replace horses which are withdrawn up until 2pm on Monday, 29 April.

Badminton entries and waiting list

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