United States Eventing Association

Canter and Lordships Graffalo are Back on Top at MARS Badminton Horse Trials

South Gloucestershire, England—May 11—Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo were pure class in the final, tense moments of the MARS Badminton Horse Trials, jumping faultlessly to regain the title they won two years ago by just 1 penalty.

Their clear show jumping round left Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent, the overnight leaders after cross-country, with no margin for error.

Townend had Paul and Diana Ridgeon's lovely grey mare jumping beautifully, and it looked as if they would pull off the win, but the dream evaporated in a split second with the tap of one fence, leaving him a frustrated runner-up at Badminton for the fifth time.

It was a repeat of the top three riders from 2023, with Ireland's Austin O'Connor in third place on the ever-popular grey, Colorado Blue. Like Canter, he finished on his dressage score. "If it wasn't for these two, I'd have won two Badmintons by now," he quipped. "It's very special sitting here with these guys [Canter and Townend]. We have got three of the best event horses in the world, and it's a magical feeling; a great privilege."

Canter was emotional at her moment of triumph, saying: "This is for Caroline", a tribute to her long-term mentor, trainer and friend Caroline Moore, who died from cancer earlier this year, and who has very much been part of her previous great moments including World and European titles, Olympic gold and victory at Burghley.

"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 Canter. "And the owners, Michele and Archie Saul, deserve it as much."

Canter, 39, is the fifth rider in history to win Badminton twice on the same horse (following Frank Weldon/Kilbarry, Mark Phillips/Great Ovation, Ian Stark/Sir Wattie and Pippa Funnell/Supreme Rock). She has produced the 13-year-old gelding by Grafenstolz, who was bred by Pennie Wallace and the Lordship Stud (stable name Walter), since he was a 3-year-old.

The 11-year-old Cooley Rosalent has been first, second and third at five-star level. "She improves every time, and learns every time," said Townend. "She's unbelievable. I thought her performance was as good as any horse's, and she will come on for the run. She's had a good experience."

Harry Meade added no further penalties on Cavalier Crystal to finish fourth and survived a near unseating on the sixth-placed Superstition when the horse shuffled in a stride and crashed through a fence. Meade's horses were split by Emily King on Valmy Biats in fifth place.

Gemma Stevens suffered an unexpected disaster when Chilli Knight hit five rails and dropped from third to 15th place.

It was a vintage Badminton that gripped the imagination right until the very end, with all its twists and turns - the fluffed flying changes for Canter, the 1.2 time penalties for Townend after his father advised him to take the slower route at Huntsman's Close, the tension over flag penalties for both riders, and the inexorable rise of O'Connor from 20th place after dressage - and above all, some superbly talented horses and riders.

Click here for the winning round.

Full results on www.badminton-horse.co.uk.