Badminton 2025 - all star line up for this year's event
Will Rawlin - pic Maddie PerrinsThe world’s greatest three-day event riders are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2025 Mars Badminton Horse Trials, which is just about to get underway (Wednesday 7 May).
This annual competition, in which horse-and-rider combinations go head-to-head in three different disciplines – dressage, cross country, and showjumping, always attracts a top field but in the year after an Olympics, it is even more so.
"It's a very international field which often happens in a post-Olympic year when you've got top riders bringing their horses from the past Games and others hoping to begin the cycle leading up to the next one," observes Eric Winter, the Cross Country Course Designer since 2017. "Badminton has always historically been a preparation ground for championships and it's great to see so many nations represented."
Eric Winter, Cross Country Course DesignerAlongside an Olympic gold, this is the one event riders dream of winning. Seven of the top 10 riders in the FEI World Rankings are represented. The three members of Britain’s victorious Olympic team in Paris last year, Ros Canter, Tom McEwen from Swindon, and Laura Collett, are entered and the 2022 World Champion Yasmin Ingham will make her Badminton debut, riding Rehy DJ. It is quite remarkable that a world champion has not competed at Badminton yet. World number two Tim Price has yet to add Badminton to his glittering CV, but he looks to have a great chance with a choice of 2022 World bronze medallist Falco, Burghley runner-up Vitali and Viscount Viktor.
Local British rider Will Rawlin, who last year was the best first timer with a 24th placing and clear cross country on his horse Ballycoog Breaker Boy, says he approaching this year’s event with more confidence.
“Off the back of last year, especially fitness wise as he managed it well, and knowing what to expect, I am really looking forward to Badminton. We have had good prep runs in the Spring and we have worked on his strength and fitness. I’m more excited about it this year,” says Will.
New Zealander Sam Lissington, based near Hungerford, is also excited to be attempting the course for the first time on Lord Seekonig (Charlie). She unfortunately had to withdraw her other horse Rocky Ridge. The rider, who works part time for EquiRatings, has only had Lord Seekonig since 2022 and Sam describes him as a big rangy horse but the combination were 11th in Luhmulen last year.
“This is the dream to go around the toughest five star. It’s so exciting. My aim is selection for WEG in Aachen in 2026 and the Olympics in 2028,” explains Sam, who describes Charlie as good in all three phases and a ‘very nervous person but with a huge heart’.
Four times Badminton winner, Sir Mark Todd, has been assessing the course: "It is a very fair track. Of course, you have to add in the Badminton factor which makes it different to anywhere else, and be prepared for the unexpected, but it looks to have a nice flow to it and I think will be both enjoyable to ride and produce a great competition."
The 32-fence track runs clockwise this year, with the famous MARS Lake coming relatively early at fences 8, 9 and 10abc, followed by the familiar intense loop out to the far end, via the INEOS Sunken Road at 12ab; the new accuracy-demanding LeMieux Eyelash Brushes at 19abc; and the Mayston Equestrian Sunken Road at 21ab are ones to watch.
For those unable to attend, the event can be viewed on Badminton TV, which is being produced by ClipMyHorse, who will be live-streaming all the action. To sign up, visit here Otherwise the BBC will be showing highlights from all three phases on Sunday afternoon.
In addition, the popular mobile app, with live scoring, has been relaunched with new features. You can follow the progress of your favourite riders, including a 30-minute warning that they are about to perform, and test your skills as a dressage judge by seeing how closely your assessment comes to that of the ground jury. There will also be a live cross-country fence analysis feature. To download it, visit the website.