Riders of horses entered at both Badminton and Kentucky have confirmed which have headed Stateside for their spring five-star run. Harry Meade will partner Et Hop Du Matz and Grafennacht at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (24 to 26 April), leaving two – potentially three – in the mix for Mars Badminton Horse Trials (7 to 11 May). Tim Price has withdrawn Falco from Badminton, as the gelding is en route to Kentucky with Happy Boy and Jarillo.
Show horse producer Simon Reynolds shares his thoughts on how to set young horses up for long and happy careers, in his exclusive H&H column this week. “Considered and careful selections must be made when you have a novice horse: which ride judge will suit, which venue and even what terrain? Yet even when things are going like clockwork at home, sometimes you get to a show, and it all goes pear-shaped,” says Simon. “Don’t despair, this is normal. Horses are not machines! Have a plan, but always be prepared to implement plan B, and sometimes even plan C. It is important to make a judgement at the time and there is no shame in calling it a day at any stage.”
The equestrian world is trying to unpick what the US tariffs mean – from moving horses abroad, to selling kit. Lauren Sapsted, of LS Sporthorses, produces equines for the US and says the uncertainty makes the current situation “very difficult”. “If it was black and white and you knew from now on that everything has a 10% tariff you could plan,” she adds. “Every day seems to be a different story.”
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.
