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Leading Contender withdraws from the MARS Badminton Horse Trials

written by Katie Neat

News from Badminton leading contender Oliver Townend (Official)

“Absolutely gutted to withdraw Ballaghmor Class from this week’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials. He had a abscess earlier in the season and consequently missed a couple of runs and gallops. This morning he went for his final gallop and with the 11.5 mins cross country course combined with the possible soft ground we don’t feel he’s at his normal 5* fitness right now. This is the first time in his career he’s missed a 5* and with the ROLEX Grand Slam of Eventing being at stake (for the 3rd time for me!) and Thomas’s record with 10 top-5 placings at 5*, 4 of which are from Badminton including twice 2nd place, and his 3 wins at Burghley and Kentucky, we really hoped he would finally get the Badminton trophy he so badly deserves.

He’s fit and well, and knowing his huge heart he’d give us his all, but it’s simply not in his best interest to run this week and his welfare is our top priority.

Thomas will be rerouted to plan B but for now we’d like to give a huge thanks to his owners, our sponsors and our team who are all equally gutted but support us to make this call to look after our superstar.”

Event Director Jane Tuckwell commented “we are all devastated for Oliver and highly respect his decision not to run. We look forward to welcoming Oliver and Thomas back to Badminton in 2025.”

07/05/2024 0 comment
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Eventing

IRON MAN

written by Editor

Sir Mark Todd (NZL) is synonymous with Badminton Horse Trials.

In 1980, Mark became the first debutante to win Badminton since Richard Walker in 1969. In 45th position after dressage, he piloted Southern Comfort III to an unexpected victory thanks to superb jumping rounds; they were one of only three cross country completions within optimum time.

Just a few months after finishing runner up at Badminton to Lucinda Green and Beagle Bay, Mark and the great Charisma would take home individual gold at the 1984 Olympic Games. They would repeat this remarkable feat and become back to back gold medalists at the 1988 Olympic Games.

By complete chance, Mark would win his second Badminton title in 1994 with Horton Point. Lynne Bevan handed Mark the reins, and the number one drawn entry, after breaking her collar bone at Bicton the prior weekend. In second after dressage, they moved into the lead after a flawless cross country round before topping off a truly remarkable feat with a clear show jumping round.

As if Badminton wasn’t hard enough a test, Mark would complete the majority of the 1995 cross country test with one stirrup on board Bertie Blunt. No such issues the following year when they returned and took home the Badminton title; a third for Mark.

Having been retired, Sir Mark had the comeback of all comebacks, lifting the trophy for the fourth time with NZB Land Vision in 2011 and solidifying his Badminton legacy.

06/05/2024 0 comment
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Eventing

THE COMEBACK KIDS

written by Katie Neat

I will never forget the unexplained feeling of dread that came over me during Hopetoun Horse Trials in June of 2015. It was seeing a W next to Ben Hobday‘s entries. Something wasn’t right.

A few weeks later, Ben revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer (Burkitts Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma). As expected, the Eventing community rallied and showed their support and Ben began treatment to kick cancers a**e.

Ben completed chemotherapy in the September and, against all the odds, he competed in his first three-star since diagnosis the following Spring. Through the tears, I had the biggest smile on my face when I saw Ben in the warm-up arena at Burgham Horse Trials. It was such an amazing sight to see him looking healthy and back in the saddle, doing what he loved.

Two months later, just shy of a year since we knew of Bens diagnosis, he jumped a double clear at Badminton Horse Trials with the beloved V8 Supercob Mulrys Error.

Never have we heard the crowd cheer so loud and never have we been so grateful of a Badminton completion as we were with Ben and the part-Clydesdale gelding who stole all our hearts.

03/05/2024 0 comment
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Eventing

AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC

written by Katie Neat

“Lady Luck” shone down on Badminton Horse Trials in 2018, when Jonelle Price (NZL) became the first woman to win the event since Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) triumphed with Headley Britannia in 2007.

Just ten months after the birth of her first child, Jonelle rode one of the most epic cross country rounds we have ever seen; onboard Classic Moet.

The pair were in 22nd place after Dressage but stormed round a tough Badminton course to come home with the quickest round of the day and just 0.4-time penalties.

Oliver Townend was right on her heels, having won Burghley and Kentucky, he was now aiming for a Badminton win to complete the Rolex Grand Slam. However, Jonelle and Molly would again jump clear and they claimed their first five-star win!

Molly retired in 2022 at the age of nineteen. The Badminton “Queen of Speed”, also notched up three top-five finishes at Burghley and won the British Open at Gatcombe during her illustrious career.

02/05/2024 0 comment
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Eventing

THE ELUSIVE WIN

written by Katie Neat

On May 7, 2017 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) won Badminton Horse Trials on board the 17 year old chestnut, Nereo. It was his 37th completion of the event.

The six-time Olympian had achieved 8 five-star wins, including winning Burghley five times, but the coveted top spot at Badminton had so far eluded him.

Heading into the final Show Jumping phase Andrew and Nereo were in third place, behind Michael Jung (GER) piloting the record breaking La Biosthetique-Sam FBW and Ingrid Kilmke (GER) and her Championship star Horseware Hale Bob. There were just 0.8 penalties between them.

A stunning clear from Andrew and Nereo really put the pressure on Michael and Ingrid and put the crowd on tenterhooks. As we watched with bated breath, Sam hit the back rail of the sixth fence and they dropped below Andrew. We doubt anyone would have been upset to see Michael and Sam win again, they were one of the greatest partnerships this sport has ever seen. Nor would we have denied Ingrid, who would have become the first woman in 10 years to win at Badminton, however Bobby clipped the same rail as Sam and then had a stop at the treble, sealing the win for Andrew.

It was one of the most climactic finals we have ever witnessed and we took home more than just the glee from Andrew’s sweet victory. It was the camaraderie shown by Andrew’s peers, particularly Ingrid, that made us tear up the most. It was truly one of the best days in our sport.

01/05/2024 0 comment
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EventingNews

DARE TO DREAM

written by Katie Neat

Celebrating 75 years, we are gearing up for a truly prestigious Badminton Horse Trials presented by Mars Equestrian

With anticipation and excitement swirling there was only one way we could begin our coverage, because it’s going to cross the mind of every person who walks through those gates and those watching at home. Can they do it? Can they win the Grand Slam?

We are of course talking about Oliver Townend (Official) and Ballaghmor Class.

This past weekend, Oliver and Cooley Rosalent won a hotly contested Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and Oliver achieved his milestone 100th five-star start (achieved only by Andrew Nicholson and William Fox-Pitt). The World Number One has since withdrawn Tregilder from Badminton, leaving him to pilot the 17yr old grey owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan in their fifth trip to Badminton together.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing has only been achieved twice since its conception in 1999, with Pippa Funnell (GBR) winning in 2003 and Michael Jung (GER) in 2015/16. It is an accolade given to any event rider who can win Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky consecutively, in any order.

We are cautious of adding to the pressure, no doubt Oliver will be aware that all eyes are on him and Thomas. We do, however, want them both to know that we are supporting them and will be riding every step with them and that, irrespective of the final results, they are and have always been a champion team and have already cemented their legacy in our sport.

The pair have twice won Burghley (2017 & 2023), won Kentucky (2021) and brought home Team Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. They have never finished outside of the top five at Badminton (twice runner up and twice fifth) and what a dream it would be to see them take the win!

In the immortal words of Julia Roberts ~ “We want the fairy tale”

30/04/2024 0 comment
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