Who will be first out of the starting blocks at Badminton Horse Trials?
The drawn order for this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (7-10 May) has been released.
Australian 2010 Badminton winner Paul Tapner will be pathfinder with his World Equestrian Games mount Kilronan (pictured). The pair finished fourth at last year’s Gloucestershire event. Paul, who has jumped seven clear rounds around Badminton’s cross-country course from eight attempts, will hope to show fellow competitors how it’s done and continue his exemplary record at the event when Saturday 9 May dawns.
Last year’s winner Sam Griffiths riding Paulank Brockagh carries number 10, while other favourites to take the 2015 title include William Fox-Pitt on Chilli Morning (number 83), Jock Paget on Clifton Promise (number six) and Andrew Nicholson riding Nereo (number 15). Andrew has never won Badminton despite holding the record for the most completions at the event — 33.
Other combinations to look out for include Laura Collett riding Grand Manoeuvre (number 35), last year’s Badminton runners-up Oliver Townend and Armada (number 73) and Andrew Hoy riding Rutherglen (number 90).
Last to go will be Mark Todd riding Oloa (number 95).
Badminton final scores
Horse & Hound’s Badminton first-timer blogger Nana Dalton is number 49. This is likely to mean she will do dressage early on the Friday morning, depending on the final make up of the start list once the wait-list has closed.
So far, horses down to eighth on the wait-list have been accepted, which means there are currently five remaining horse and rider combinations on the list, including Mary King with Kings Temptress.
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Britain’s Gary Parsonage and Sligo Luckyvalier are the latest combination to get the call up, following the withdrawal of Tim Price’s 2014 Luhmuhlen winner Wesko. Wesko will be competing at the Rolex Kentucky three-day-event this week (23-26 April) instead. Horses continue to be accepted from the wait list until 2pm on Sunday, 4 May.
Don’t miss H&H’s Badminton preview issues, out 30 April and 7 May 2015
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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.