Organisers of the Mars Badminton Horse Trials will allow riders to partner three horses at the 2024 fixture (8-12 May), under certain conditions. In recent years riders have been limited to starting on two horses at the spring five-star, but this year third horses may be accepted, once everyone on the waiting list has been offered a chance to run, in order of FEI points. “Badminton 2023 was the first year that we did not have a waiting list. Therefore this year we are happy for athletes to enter three horses, to concur with other international events,” said a Badminton spokesman.
A rider who thought she was going to her yard for a photoshoot was overwhelmed to find her “amazing” girlfriend had organised a surprise proposal. Clair Diggle had had a “shocking” day, but when she walked into the indoor school, she found her girlfriend Kirsty Chambers holding Clair’s cob Bruce who was wearing a rug with the words “Will you marry me?” The indoor arena had been transformed for the proposal, with flowers, balloons and LED lights spelling the words “marry me”. “I walked into the indoor and saw the LED light boxes and balloons, and thought ‘That’s cute’, then realised what they said. Then I saw Kirsty with Bruce, thought ‘What’s going on?’ – and then she went down on one knee,” said Clair. “It was amazing. And of course I said yes! The perfect equestrian proposal.”
Kirsten Rausing’s Arc heroine Alpinista has brought further joy in her second career as a broodmare, delivering her first foal. The filly, by Dubawi, is a fifth generation home-bred and continues the long line of greys, sharing a coat colour with all females in her family back to 12th dam Lady Josephine. “I had been hoping for the mare to produce a filly, so I’m obviously thrilled and very grateful to Alpinista, who, as usual, can do no wrong,” said Ms Rausing.
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
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
