Badminton '25 - triumph again for Ros Canter
Libby Seed on Heartbreaker Star QualityRos Canter and the stunning Lordship Graffalo claimed their second MARS Badminton Horse Trials title with a flawless round in the final showjumping phase, cementing the horse's status as one of the best eventers in the world. Canter now joins a select group of just five riders to have won the event twice on the same horse.
Going into the final phase in second place, Olympic rider Canter delivered a superb clear round, putting pressure on leader Oliver Townend. Riding the 11-year-old Cooley Rosalent (nicknamed Rosie), Townend had no room for error. Unfortunately, one fence down cost him the title, handing victory to Canter.
Townend, who has long expressed his ambition to reclaim the Badminton title he last won in 2009, will be deeply disappointed. The former world number one and Olympic gold medallist had led from the start, scoring an impressive 21.1 in dressage and delivering a fast, fault-free cross-country round. But a single rolled pole in the showjumping dropped him behind Canter.
Will Rawlin on Ballycoog Breaker Boy
“She was unbelievable, incredible horse, already won a big one at Kentucky, still a baby at five start level,” said Oliver.
Canter was emotional following her victory, dedicating it to her late mentor and friend Caroline Moore, who passed away earlier this year. Moore played a crucial role in Canter’s career, having been by her side through multiple championship titles.
"I’m so pleased I managed to make her proud. It is the first time I have done anything big without her - she would normally have been with me, keeping me occupied and confident, and I was really nervous today," said Ros.
Ros confessed that she was more nervous ahead of her showjumping round than usual.
“Caroline would usually be with me, keeping my mind occupied, so I’ve been by myself a lot today. Nick Turner and Chris Bartle helped me warm up and have been fantastic,” she added.
Third place went to Irish rider Austin O’Connor on Colorado Blue, repeating his 2023 result.
Local riders
The only true amateur rider, Libby Seed from Bromham, who works full time, had a mixed start but finished strong. Despite some disappointment in her dressage test, she delivered double clear rounds in both cross-country and showjumping, moving up from 21st last year to an impressive 17th overall.
Libby said she was “over the moon” with her horse Heartbreaker Star Quality (Angel), who she said tried so hard.
“Words cannot describe how lucky I feel to have the privilege of riding Angel! She gave this week everything she has and she smashed it… and most importantly she is home safe and sound in her field,” added Libby.
“She was good in the dressage but I was a little disappointed that the changes were not great. But what she does best though is the galloping and the jumping”, explains Libby, and this was definitely evident on cross country day.
Marlborough rider Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy had three fences down in the final phase, leaving him in 23rd overall but it was still an improvement on last year and he is also delighted.
“Another Badminton - another top 25 finish with another incredible clear cross country over an enormous track. He gave me his absolute all this week. Six marks better in the DR, 30secs faster XC and a hugely improved show jumping round,” said Will.
Sadly for New Zealander Sam Rissington, based in Hungerford, she had to retire in the cross country after a very good dressage, on Lord Seekonig (Charlie). “Charlie thinks he read the course map and didn’t really need any input from his rider! Left the start box feeling great but it soon became apparent that I didn’t have a lot of say in where we were going or what we were doing! Time to regroup and make new plans with a horse I feel has all the ability in the world,” explains Sam.
Samantha Lissington on Lord Seekonig
Fifty four horses completed the three phases, 11 retired on cross country and eight were eliminated on cross country, including Lacock rider David Doel, who had an uncharacteristic fall at the Huntsman’s Close on Gallileo Nieuwmoed, a previous top 10 finisher. Five withdrew after cross country.
Eric Winter’s course certainly proved to be challenging, in what all agreed was a vintage and memorable Badminton Horse Trials.