The UK CCI5*L event is known as the toughest, biggest and most prestigious event in the world – and comes with the richest prize purse too. It’s a popular event for riders and spectators alike, with the Eric Winter-designed cross country attracting thousands to the Duke of Beaufort’s Badminton Estate.
It was Falco’s first-ever Badminton, but he has previously won Pau CCI5*L and was Tim’s horse for the Paris Olympic Games where they were New Zealand’s best with their sixth place finish.
At Badminton, they were tenth after the dressage, added four time in the cross country and nothing this morning in the show jumping for a final tally of 33.9 penalty points. They were one of two combinations to come home clear and inside time in the final test.
“He is a fantastic little horse,” said the world number two. “He is all about head and heart and just loves to know where his feet are… that’s where is brain is! If he is enjoying himself and the confidence is there, he gives everything.”
The horse had dealt with it all so beautifully. “It is the first time I have been here and can relax a little,” said Tim, referencing his sometimes stressful show jumping rounds on other horses. “It has been a really nice prospect.”
Tim rode with a broken shoulder, an injury he picked up three weeks ago after falling off an electric bike. He rode the Kentucky CCI5*L with the injury but says he was better prepared at Badminton with a “useful” support suit and strapping. He was grateful it was Falco he had on the start list. “He is my old friend and a fantastic horse. I have been with him 10 years… if it had been another horse, it would probably not have been such a doable proposition.”
It will be a Badminton to remember for Tayla Mason and her homebred Centennial who placed sixth, and for the second consecutive year picked up the Glentrool Trophy as the combination to have made the greatest improvement on their dressage placing.
Their clear and inside time effort on the cross country – one of just three – saw them scoot up the leaderboard from =40th to sixth. This morning, they added just 1.6 time penalties to finish the event on 38.1 penalty points.
Tayla earlier credited her trainer and mentor Sir Mark Todd with taking her riding to a new level. She was ecstatic coming out of the showjumping, happy to tell the world just how “cool” her horse was.
“It is just amazing,” said Tayla. “This year my preparations and training were solid and that has paid off.”
Jonelle Price and Chilli’s Midnight Star also steadily tracked their way up the leaderboard, from =27th in the dressage, adding 10.8 time in the cross country for another gain, and then 0.8 time on Sunday to finish in twelfth place on 45.1.
Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte added four faults on Sunday for a final score of 69.6 and 30th place. Caroline Powell retired her 2024 Badminton winner Greenacres Special Cavalier during the cross country where she was also eliminated aboard High Time.
But the day belonged to the history-making Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo who many are calling the greatest event horse of all time. Their win marked the first-ever horse and rider combination to win Badminton three times, adding to their already very impressive trophy cabinet.
Results:
2. Tim Price and Falco – 33.9 penalty points
6. Tayla Mason and Centennial – 38.1 penalty points
12. Jonelle Price and Chilli’s Midnight Star – 45.1 penalty points
30. Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte – 69.6 penalty points
Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier – RET cross country
Caroline Powell and High Time – ELIM cross country
Final results can be found here.
Watch the action from Badminton via ClipMyHorse.TV.
Source: ESNZ press release
