No stranger to Badminton Horse Trials having started in the five-star five times previously, Sammi Birch is entered again this year with Finduss PFB (by Saffier out of Belle Miranda, by Sarantos).
The 14-year-old KWPN gelding will be having his third start at the prestigious event. Last year, he and Sammi jumped clear around the infamous cross country course, collecting 28.4 time penalties and adding just one rail/0.4 time faults in the show jumping phase to finish on 69 in 22nd place. This year’s Badminton will mark a fifth five-star start for this experienced combination, with pair also starting at Burghley and Bicton in previous years.
Fellow Aussie Samantha Cesnik is also entered for Badminton this year with 14-year-old mare Graftango (by Birkhof’s Grafenstolz TSF out of SWS Contemplation, by Contango 11).
This combination had their debut five-star start at Pau CCI5*L last year, jumping clear around the challenging course with just time penalties to their name. Unfortunately, the show jumping phase didn’t quite go to plan – but nevertheless they became five-star finishers at their first attempt. They now set to make an exciting Badminton debut!
Last year, New Zealand’s Caroline Powell jumped her way to a historic victory with Greenacres Special Cavalier for Badminton’s 75th anniversary. This combination is back again in 2025 to defend their title.
View the full list of entries for Badminton Horse Trials 2025 here.
