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Andrew Nicholson on Homero competing at Barbury this weekend - pic: Top Shots Photography
The Barbury Castle estate saw a welcome return to British Eventing at the weekend with three days of competition, showcasing some of our top riders, including Laura Collett, David Doel, Tim and Jonelle Price, Tom McEwen to name just a few.
Canter XC Mars Fence
Badminton 2025 is nearly here, taking place in early May beytween 7 - 11th. One difference for this year - all tickets must be bought in advance as there won't be any tickets sold on the gate this year. There is the 'early bird' advance ticket discount available, but that ends on 31 March so all tickets purchased after then will be at the full price.
Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy at Badminton pic: Maddie PerrinsNew Zealander Caroline Powell pulled off a shock victory at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials at the weekend, after Tim Price and Vitali and William Fox Pitt and Grafennacht, who were in first and second respectively, had a number of fences down in the showjumping.
Will Rawlin & Ballycoog Breaker Boy, Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials, April 2024 - pic: Hannah ColeWill Rawlin describes himself as “absolutely fine” as he faces his first ever appearance at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials, which begin on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old first timer, based at Rockley, said he is not overthinking the competition, regarded by many in the sport as the pinnacle in the eventing calendar, certainly tougher than the Olympics.
“I am trying not to overthink it and treat it like any other competition. I have had a good Spring campaign and I am feeling confident,” explains Will.
Will is riding the 12-year-old Ballycoog Breaker Boy (William), who is making his five-star debut, rather than his other five-star horse The Partner, who was 23rd at Luhmuhlen last year.
David Doel with Galileo Nieuwmoed - pic: Joss RidleyDavid Doel’s past two seasons, with his star horse Galileo Nieuwmoed, are the stuff that most event riders can only dream of. A sixth place at his debut Badminton Horse Trials, eighth at Kentucky and runner up at Burghley are the highlights - but for him this is not quite good enough.
(l-r) Sarah Llewelyn with Deep Challenger, Qulinton with Thea Geake and Imperial Ruby with Sar Cassidy Hill (owner)Three former successful racehorses, stabled and trained now at Overton Manor Farm (and owned by the White family) in Wroughton have qualified for the Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham’s NEC in October.
Trained by the ladies who will be riding them, the three horses will be competing in the South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Final which will take place at the NEC on Wednesday 4 October.