What do you call a horse who has never toppled a rail in the show jumping phase of eventing?
You call it Lordships Graffalo, who won his second Badminton (the first was in 2023) on Sunday with a clear trip over the painted poles to move up from second to first and set a record. No other horse has won Badminton twice with a year’s gap in between.
Ros did it without her trainer and friend Caroline Moore, who died of cancer in March. That made the winning moment doubly emotional.
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo in triumph. (Photo courtesy Badminton Horse Trials)
The leader after dressage and cross-country, 2024 Kentucky 5-star winner Cooley Rosalent, had a single rail down to drop her to second place. Her rider, Oliver Townend, has been second five times in the British 5-star. He had a close call in the morning when she was held in the horse inspection, but then permitted to compete. His other horse, Ballaghmor Class, also was held but did not return for re-inspection.
Third went to Ireland’s Austin O’Connor on the 2024 Maryland 5-star winner, Colorado Blue.
World Champion Yasmin Ingham, fourteenth after cross-country, withdrew Rehy DJ before the final horse inspection.
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