The 2022 Champions, Laura Collett and London 52
Riders from 10 nations will contest the 2023 Badminton Horse Trials, presented by Mars Equestrian (May 4-8), in what promises to be a thrilling and memorable competition on the occasion of the Coronation.
The brilliant British combination of Laura Collett and London 52, winners of an Olympic team gold medal in Tokyo, will be back to defend their 2022 title. Last year’s runners-up, Ros Canter and the talented Lordships Graffalo, are also returning, and both Laura and Ros have exciting second rides in Da Capo and Pencos Royal Jewel respectively.
Other former winners in the field include Pippa Funnell, the last rider to win back-to-back Badmintons (in 2002-03 with Supreme Rock), who has entered Billy Walk On and Majas Hope, William Fox-Pitt, who brings the lovely mare Grafenacht, and Oliver Townend. The world number three currently has five horses to choose from, his top rides being the greys Ballaghmor Class and Swallow Springs.
Behind them is a whole new generation of rising British stars, including the Burghley runners-up, Tom Jackson and Capel Hollows Drift, plus Caroline Casburn (Top Spring), Felicity Collins (RSH Contend’Or), Kirsty Chabert with her Luhmuhlen runner-up Classic Vl and Opposition Loire, Bubby Upton (Cannavaro and Cola) and Emily King (Valmy Biats).
Badminton is one of few accolades to evade the world number one, New Zealander Tim Price, and he will be hoping to rectify that omission with Vitali, third at Burghley last year, and Coup de Coeur Dudevin, winner of the Maryland five-star.
The nations of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Switzerland and the USA will also be represented at Badminton. ‘We are delighted that so many top international riders want to come to Badminton this year,’ said Event Director Jane Tuckwell. ‘We’ve got a great mix of well-known and new faces which should make for a thrilling competition and, with the added interest of the Coronation that weekend, someone will be making history.’
The full list of entries can be found here.
As Badminton coincides with the Coronation of Charles lll and the Queen Consort, dressage will take place on Friday and Saturday, May 5-6 — the scheduling will allow everyone to watch the Coronation on the big screens — cross-country on Sunday, May 7, and show jumping on the Bank Holiday Monday, May 8.
To book tickets click here. Early bird ticket prices end at midnight on 31st March. As last year, all tickets must be purchased in advance, there will be no sales on the gate.
