By the time Stateside ENers are reading this, MARS Badminton Horse Trials will be underway, unless you got up when it was still dark – you’re our favorites, you know it – all hail the eventing superfans!
That’s right, it’s Dressage Day One on the Badminton estate and I’ll be bringing you every step from the Main Arena in our live blog – something to catch up on with your morning coffee if you’re not already following along.
For those of you invested in the North American cohort at this year’s Badminton, here are the times you need to know:
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Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF – Thursday – 4:40am ET / 10:40am CEST.
Meghan O’Donoghue and Palm Crescent – Thursday – 6:04am ET / 1:04pm CEST.
Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl – Thursday – 10:36am ET / 4:36pm CEST.
Cosby Green and Copper Beach – Thursday – 11am ET / 5pm CEST.
Grace Taylor and Game Changer – Friday – 5:48am ET / 11:48am CEST.
Allie Knowles and Morswood – Friday – 6:40am ET / 12:40pm CEST.
🇨🇦 Jessie Phoenix and Wabbit – Thursday – 9:39am ET / 3:39pm CEST.
With the World No. 1 and live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam Oliver Townend out, the favorite for the win now goes to reigning Badminton champ and World No. 2 Ros Canter, with her Pau winner on his debut at the level Izilot DHI (above, click through the post for a very cute pic of lil’ Ros and her fluffy pony). Will this exciting, quirky young horse make it two-for-two? It’s all to play for at Badminton.
As you know, here at EN we’re true eventing geeks, happy to wear our fingers down to stumps in order to bring you all the content you can handle. This week, we’ve got you covered with live blogs following every single step the runners and riders take in the dressage, cross country and the finale of the show jumping, and we’ll be wrangling together daily reports from every stage of the competition, cluing you up with a cross country course preview and giving you the low-down on what the riders think of the fences they’ll be facing when they leave the start box on Saturday. Keep it locked on to EN and click here for all of our blood, sweat and tears – go on eventing nerds, you know you want to. As if that isn’t enough, we’ve got great IG content happening too @goeventing.
Don’t forget about EN’s epic Form Guide, which you’ll find right here and our Ultimate Guide to all things Badminton.
If you’re planning on watching all of the action live and on demand, you’ll need a Badminton TV subscription – find out how it works here.
Keep it locked onto EN and get your eventing geek on – go eventing!
PS – It’s still not raining at Badminton (at time of writing).
MARS Badminton Horse Trials [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Tickets] [Radio Badminton] [Livestream] [Cross Country Course] [EN’s Coverage]
U.S. Weekend Preview
Galway Downs Spring H.T. (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Majestic Oaks Ocala H.T. (Reddick, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Unionville May H.T. (Coatesville, PA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Queeny Park H.T. (St. Louis, MO) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
River Glen Spring H.T. (New Market, TN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Tryon International Three Day Event (Mill Spring, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring] [Live Stream]
Winona Horse Trials (Hanoverton, OH) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
UK International Events
MARS Badminton Horse Trials (Gloucestershire, UK) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Tickets] [Radio Badminton] [Livestream] [Cross Country Course] [EN’s Coverage]
European International Events
International Marbach Eventing (GER) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Live Stream]
Thursday News and Reading
5* tickets alert! Box offices are open on both sides of the pond – get your Burghley tickets here and your Maryland tickets here.
Equestrian sports take to the stage in a new broadcast deal. A new multi-year partnership between the FEI and Warner Bros. Discovery has been announced, meaning that equestrian sports will be shown in 75 markets across Europe and Asia via Eurosport, discovery+ and Max. This is surely a win for horse sport fans and hopefully an invitation to new fans, as the Commercial Director of FEI acknowledges: “Crafting compelling content is not solely about catering to equestrian enthusiasts worldwide; it is also about sparking curiosity and interest among a broader range of fans, and to foster deeper connection with the sport”. Watch out horse sport virgins, one view and you’re hooked – don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Further feedback is being sought on the final report of FEI’s Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission and the proposed action plan. The FEI is asking for any ideas and suggestions to be emailed to [email protected] by Wednesday May 15, ahead of the Board meeting on June 4-5.
The chances are, I’ll only ever get to experience the magic of Kentucky through a screen – so boy do I love it when all that atmosphere is captured in so evocative a way it makes me tear up. This blog is about a mom’s solo trip to the best weekend all year – and first time away from her toddler son. But it’s so much more than that, really. It’s a total celebration of eventing, as a sport, as a community, and as a lifelong passion. Go eventing!
I read this book review from Heels Down Mag with interest. The book in question is ‘No Bored Horses: Essential Enrichment for Happy Equines’ by Amanda Goble and it piqued my curiosity as I’m constantly thinking about my horse’s wellbeing. (Of course, we all are, always, but I’m still finding the keys to my new(ish) guy so I’m hyper-vigilant, shall we say.) As well as a whole bunch of smart exercises, the reviewer notes that the book “explores horse behaviors and interests” – it sure sounds like an interesting read to me and one I’ll be investing in.
Whether you’re in the market for an eventing prospect or just love to drool over top quality horses, feast your eyes on these future stars. The Marbach DSP Eventing Auction will take place on Saturday, May 11, and will be run in a hybrid format, so you can either bid and follow along online or head to Marbach and try your dream young horse before you buy. You can view the full catalog here and find out more information about the auction, and check out Tilly’s top picks here. Happy drooling/bidding!
Sponsor Corner
Ecogold is hiring! If you’re interested in sales and marketing, this could be the perfect position for you. They’re looking for a motivated Sales and Marketing Assistant to join their operation in Montreal. This entry-level role is ideal for someone passionate about equestrian sports and eager to dive into a career in sales and marketing, focusing on exceptional customer service and sales support. Learn more here.
Video Break
Enjoy Meghan O’Donoghue’s Badminton ride Palm Crescent enjoying England:
