Badminton Beckons with Big Bucks on Offer

Mars Badminton Horse Trials. Gloucestershire, England. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

New Zealand is well represented at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials this week where the best in the world will chase the richest eventing prizemoney. Six Kiwi combinations will be keen to add their names to the prestigious trophy and lay claim to the £125,000 on offer.

Top billing is the 2024 winner Caroline Powell aboard Greenacres Special Cavalier, along with previous victor Jonelle Price and three-time 5* winner who lines up on Chilli’s Midnight Star, along with six-time 5* winner Tim Price who is in with his sixth-placed Paris mount Falco. Joining them are Jesse Campbell with Colley Lafitte, Tayla Mason aboard Centennial and Caroline Powell with High Time.

Despite his six 5* victories, Badminton has so far eluded Tim, who just last week was fourth in the Kentucky 5* with Vitali. Seventeen-year-old Falco won his 5* debut at Pau (2021), won bronze team and individual at the World Champs (2022), placed second at Maryland 5* (2024) and their sixth placed effort at the Paris Olympic Games was New Zealand’s best. It has been a challenging build-up for Tim who is nursing an injured collarbone. “Falco is in good form,” said Tim. “He is feeling really great and it will be exciting to get him to his first Badminton because he is such a great little horse.”

Jonelle and 12-year-old Chilli’s Midnight Star have had just one 5* start, for ninth at Maryland last year. “I am looking forward to Badminton. Chilli’s Midnight Star looks to be in good shape. It is a fairly monumental entry for his co-owner Nikki Axon. She had the mare, her daughter rode him, they bred him and he was born at their place, so it is certainly a nice milestone for them,” said Jonelle.

“He is a horse I think a lot of. I think he is a true Badminton-Burghley horse for the next few years. He is really starting to find his stride at this level and become established.”
He had joined her team as a nine-year-old and he felt “in a good place”. “He is working very well, so I am excited to see what we can do. I really believe he has some big results in him . . . it is just a matter of time. It would be great if that came to fruition at Badminton. I am excited to see what we can do.”

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier take the Title for the 2024 MARS Badminton Horse Trials CCI5*. Gloucestershire. Great Britain. Sunday 12 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

Caroline has both 13-year-old Greenacres Special Cavalier and 14-year-old High Time on the card. Both are 5* veterans, with three top six finishes for Cav and a top eight for High Time at Burghley. It’s been a tricky start to the season for the Olympian. “It’s been a different start to the season with me having a knee operation and things taking a bit more time to get back on the road, but the horses are both well so fingers crossed,” said Caroline.

Jesse and Cooley Lafitte have three 5* completions to their credit including a top 15 at Badminton in 2024. “Cooley Lafitte is feeling great! He had a super last run at Kronenberg and feels on great form, so I am looking forward to getting started,” said Jesse.

Tayla and Centennial have had four 5* completions to their credit including an eighth at Maryland last year. “This year is a little different. This time last year I hadn’t been actually accepted so I am feeling more prepared,” said Tayla. “Chase (Centennial) feels good, so I am pretty excited to get out there. It is always a privilege to ride him around a big track. I am hoping to go back and better my result from last year.” The horse was feeling great and Tayla was looking forward to getting to Badminton and “do the job”.

Badminton 2026 has attracted 63 combinations from 12 countries including Olympic medallists, world and European champs, multiple 5* winners and most of the top 20 ranked riders. Record breakers Ros Canter (GBR) and Lordships Graffalo are the only combination to win two Badmintons and two Burghleys and will be looking to add to an already impressive CV. World no.1 Harry Meade is a serious contender with his two rides in Annaghmore Valoner and Et Hop Du Matz, especially with a few high-profile withdrawals.

New Zealand has an impressive history with Badminton. As well as Caroline’s victory in 2024, Jonelle rode Classic Moet to victory in 2018, with previous winners including Andrew Nicholson and Nereo (2017), Jock Paget aboard Clifton Promise (2013), and Sir Mark Todd on NZB Land Vision (2011), Bertie Blunt (1996), Horton Point (1994) and Southern Comfort III (1980) are all etched on the winner’s trophy.

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By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ