May 03, 2023

Fast Facts: 2023 Badminton Horse Trials

By Lindsay Berreth - USEA Staff

With just a few days to recover from the excitement of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, we’re on to the Badminton Horse Trials CCI5*-L!

The event, which is located in South, Gloucestershire, England, is being held a day later than usual so cross-country day won’t coincide with Coronation Day in England. Dressage will be held on Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6. Cross-country runs on Sunday, May 7, and the show jumping finale will be on Monday, May 8.

The CCI5*-L Field

  • Defending champion Laura Collett will not be bringing London 52 this year, but she’s still got Dacapo in the running.
  • Only two U.S. pairs remain on the entry list—Lillian Heard Wood and LCC Barnaby and British-based Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna. Monbeg Senna is making his first five-star start, while Wood and LCC Barnaby come with eight five-star completions to their names.
  • 2018 FEI World Eventing Champion Rosalind Canter will bring forward last year’s Badminton runner-up Lordships Graffalo as well as Pencos Crown Jewel.
  • Oliver Townend will be one the the busiest riders with two rides. He’ll have to choose between his five entries, Ballaghmor Class, As Is, Tregilder, Swallow Springs, and Cooley Rosalent. Townend won Badminton in 2009 and has completed 17 times.
  • New Zealand’s Tim Price brings forward his 2022 MARS Maryland 5* winner Coup de Couer Dudevin, as well as Vitali.
  • Three-time Badminton winner Pippa Funnell has two rides—Billy Walk On and Majas Hope.

The Facts

  • The course designer is Eric Winter. You can check out the course here.
  • The ground jury will be: President Angela Tucker (GBR), Andrew Bennie (NZL), and Xavier Le Sauce (FRA), with Andrew Temkin (USA) serving as technical delegate, assisted by Marcin Konarski (POL).
  • Show jumping will be designed by Phillip Kelvin Bywater (GBR).

The Competition Schedule

Thursday, May 4

  • 4:30 p.m. BST: First horse inspection

Friday, May 5

  • 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. BST: Dressage

Saturday, May 6

  • 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m. BST: Dressage
  • 10:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. BTS: Break to watch coronation

Sunday, May 7

  • 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. BST: Cross-country

Monday, May 8

  • 8:30 a.m. BST: Final horse inspection
  • 11:30 a.m. BST: First part of jumping test
  • 2:55 p.m. BST: Final 20 jumping test

Helpful Links

May 09, 2025 Eventing News

Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent Lead on Day 2 at MARS Badminton Horse Trials

Oliver Townend, who has never made any secret of his desire for another MARS Badminton Horse Trials victory, is now at the head of the leaderboard at the conclusion of the dressage phase.

May 09, 2025 Eventing News

Weekend Quick Links: May 10-11

Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered!

May 09, 2025 Convention

Experience the Spirit of New Orleans at this Year’s USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to head to Area V this Dec. 11-14 for the 2025 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana! Known for its rich history, world-class jazz, and electrifying Mardi Gras celebrations, New Orleans will set the stage for a lively week of discussion and education on the most important topics in the sport of eventing. Gather your fellow members and meet us to celebrate the last year of success in “The Big Easy!”

May 08, 2025 Competitions

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin are Stars of the Show at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials

The Olympic gold medallists Tom McEwen and JL Dublin lit up the arena at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials with a stunning performance and took the lead after the first day of dressage with the excellent mark of 22.4. They have almost five penalties over second-placed Emily King and Valmy Biats on 27.3.

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