May 04, 2022

Fast Facts: Badminton Horse Trials

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff
Shannon Brinkman photo.

The 2022 Badminton Horse Trials presented by Mars Equestrian in Badminton, England kicks off today with the first horse inspection taking place at 4:30 p.m. local time / 11:30 a.m. EST. There are 85 entries on the list to compete in the CCI5*-L, seven of which are U.S. riders and two of which are international riders based full-time in the U.S. Learn more about the horse and rider pairs who are making the trek across the pond to compete in one of the most iconic events in history in this edition of Fast Facts.

The U.S. Based CCI5* Field:

  • The five-star field represents 12 different countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, and the U.S.
  • There are nine U.S.-based riders on the roster, seven of which will represent the U.S. and two of which will represent their home countries. The list of U.S. riders is made up of Lillian Heard, Phillip Dutton, Tamra Smith, Ariel Grald, Will Faudree, Matthew Flynn, and Emily Hamel. The two U.S.-based riders representing their home countries are Dom Schramm representing Australia and Karl Slezak representing Canada.
Tamra Smith and Mai Baum. Erin Gilmore Photo.
  • Of those nine, three riders are heading into Badminton after having just competed in the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L in Lexington, Kentucky last week: Phillip Dutton (who is coming off of a 10th place finish in Kentucky, Tamra Smith, and Will Faudree.
  • Only two of the nine riders have competed at Badminton before: Dutton and Faudree. Both Dutton and Faudree are riding Badminton first-timers with Dutton riding the Z Partnership’s 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding Z (Asca x Bellabouche) and Faudree riding Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables’ 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Mama’s Magic Way (Mighty Magic x Straightaway).
  • The remaining seven U.S. based horse and rider pairs are all going to be giving Badminton a go for the first time, but each have previously competed in a five-star competition.
  • All of the nine horses who flew to England from the states are geldings.
Will Faudree and Mama's Magic Way. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.
  • Mama’s Magic Way is the youngest horse of the group at 11-years-old, while Schramm’s mount, the KWPN gelding Bolytair B (Polytair x Nobelle) owned by Team Bolytair B, LLC, and Heard’s own Irish Sport Horse gelding LCC Barnaby (Guy Cavalier x Lady Tanjour), are tied for the most senior horse of the group at just 16-years-old.
  • The Irish Sport Horse is the most popular breed of choice from the nine riders with three horses representing Irish breeding. The rest are KWPN (two horses), Zangersheide, German Sport Horse, Hanoverian, and Holsteiner.
  • The last time a U.S. rider stood atop the podium was in 1997 when David O’Connor won the event riding Jacqueline Mars’ Irish Sport Horse gelding Custom Made (Bassompierre x Purple Heather).
  • Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby will be the U.S. pathfinders with a draw number of 20. Emily Hamel and Corvett will round out the group at number 95. Ride times will be released after the first horse inspection.
Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby. USEA/ Leslie Mintz photo.

The Facts:

  • Markin Konarski (POL) is the technical delegate with Simon Grundy (GBR) assisting.
  • Christian Landolt (SUI) is the president of the ground jury and will be assisted by Seppo Laine (FIN) and Anne-Marie Taylor (GBR).
  • Eric Winter (GBR) is the cross-country course designer.
  • Philip Kelvin Bywater (GBR) is the show jumping course designer.

How To Watch:

The only way to watch the Badminton Horse Trials is via Badminton TV live or on-demand (full on-demand coverage will be available the Monday following the event). A subscription costs 19.99 euros which equals $21.06 U.S.

The BBC will be airing a highlights program on BBC2 at 2:30 p.m. BST Sunday, May 8. The program will also show the final 10 show jumping rounds live.

The Competition Schedule:

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

  • 4:30 p.m. BST / 11:30 a.m. EST First Horse Inspection

Thursday, May 5, 2022

  • 9:30 a.m. BST / 4:30 a.m. EST Dressage

Friday, May 6, 2022

  • 9:30 a.m. BST / 4:30 a.m. EST Dressage

Saturday, May 7, 2022

  • 11:30 a.m. BST / 6:30 a.m. EST Cross-Country

Sunday, May 8, 2022

  • 11:30 a.m. BST / 6:30 a.m. EST Show Jumping first half
  • 3:00 p.m. BST / 10:00 a.m. EST Show Jumping top 20
  • 4:15 p.m. BST / 11:15 a.m. EST Prize Giving

Helpful Links

Don't forget to follow the USEA event coverage on social media!

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Nov 12, 2024

Rebecca Farm Returning Gold Level Sponsor of the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

The USEA is pleased to announce Rebecca Farm is returning as a Gold Level Sponsor for the USEA 2024 Annual Meeting & Convention. The Annual Meeting & Convention takes place at The Westin Seattle Hotel, in Seattle, Washington, on Dec. 12-15. Rebecca Farm will be sponsoring the continental breakfast and coffee each morning. It will be offered on Thurs.-Sun. from 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. for all Convention attendees.

Nov 12, 2024 Profile

Taylor McFall: Full Speed Toward Eventing

Growing up as a self-proclaimed “free-range child” on her family’s Dragonfire Farm in California, Taylor McFall beelined her way toward horses from the time she could walk. That idyllic childhood helped cement Taylor’s love for horses at an early age.

Nov 11, 2024 Eventing News

Putting the Bow on a Great Weekend at VHC Eventing

Whether competing on a U25 team or riding in a senior division, an exciting weekend of sport was had by all at VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square. With over 450 riders flocking to the historic venue, all three phases ran concurrently with both sides of the cross country course in use and multiple rings in session. This weekend’s winners rose above the fray to take home well-earned blue ribbons.

Nov 11, 2024 Membership

Honoring USEA Veterans and Active-Duty Military Members

On this Veteran's Day, we wanted to take a moment to recognize and honor members of our USEA family who have previously served or are actively serving in the various branches of our U.S. military. Meet some of them below and please join us in thanking them for their service.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shockwave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA