New Zealand is well represented at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials this week, where the best in the world will chase the richest eventing prize money.
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, a three-time CCI5* winner, who lines up on Chilli’s Midnight Star, along with six-time CCI5* winner Tim Price – who is on his sixth-placed Paris mount, Falco.
Joining them are Jesse Campbell with Colley Lafitte, Tayla Mason aboard Centennial, and Caroline Powell with her second ride, High Time.
Despite his six CCI5* victories, Badminton has so far eluded Tim, who just last week was fourth in the Kentucky CCI5* with Vitali. Seventeen-year-old Falco won is CCI5* debut at Pau (2021), won team and individual bronze at the FEI World Championships (2022), placed second at Maryland CCI5* (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 CCI5* 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 has both 13-year-old Greenacres Special Cavalier and 14-year-old High Time on the card. Both are CCI5* 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 CCI5* 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 CCI5* 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 to “do the job”.
Olivia Barton withdraws Hollyander HG
The sole Australian entrant this year, Olivia ‘Golly’ Barton with Hollyander HG, has sadly withdraw from the event. Golly has said that her mare was unfortunately not feeling 100% over the weekend and so the decision was made to withdraw and make plans for later in the season.
Sixty-three entries from twelve countries
Badminton 2026 has attracted 63 combinations from 12 countries, including Olympic medallists, World and European Champions, multiple CCI5* winners and most of the top 20 ranked riders. Record breakers Ros Canter (Great Britain) 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. Annaghmore Valoner was originally produced through the levels as a young horse by Australian Olympian Sam Griffiths, before Harry took over the reins in 2023.
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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The first horse inspection takes place Wednesday 6 May, with the dressage commencing on Thursday 7 May and continuing Friday. Saturday 9 May will see competitors tackle the cross country phase, followed by the second horse inspection and final show jumping phase on Sunday 10 May.
New Zealand’s Badminton horses:
Cooley Lafitte (Je T’aime Flamenco x Graf Shenanigans x Scirocco Delle) – owned by Jay Jaffar
Centennial (Euro Sport Centavos x Made You Look x Moonwalker) – owned by Sonya, Kyle and Tayla Mason and Sue Rutter
Greenacres Special Cavalier (Cavalier Royale x Greenacres Touch x Touchdown) – owned by Chris and Michelle Mann and Caroline Powell
High Time (by Hemmingway x Freckleton Maxima’s Mandolin) – owned by Ruth Armstrong, Serena Greenwell, Jo West, Tom Craig, Annabel Jenks and Caroline Powell
Chilli’s Midnight Star (Chilli Morning x Midnight Wispa x Laban) – owned by Nikki and Elise Axon and Merrill Halstead
Falco (Cardenio 2 x Witta x Weinberg) – owned by Sue Benson and Tim Price
Source: ESNZ press release, edited by Equestrian Life
