Great Britain’s Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo led wire-to-wire to win the Badminton Horse Trials by a mile, with a mere 1.6 time penalties added as they proceeded around a show jumping course that cost rails for all but four of the 30 competitors on the final day of the 5-star event.
The 2018 world champion, Ros could not be denied aboard last year’s runner-up, despite the sticky ground that foiled many on cross-country.
“He’s an out-and-out event horse and it’s a privilege to have him in your life,” said Ros, the fifth person in history to have won both Badminton and the individual world championship.
“He has character in every pore and makes us laugh every day,” she said of the horse they call Walter around the barn.
Ros Canter on her way to victory with Lordships Graffalo before a crowd that came out despite very British weather.
“I think I was at my calmest when I entered the arena, but it’s been a long day. He jumped a bit with his head in the air, but he wanted to clear the fences.”
She also wound up ninth with her winning mount’s half-sister, Pencos Crown Jewel, who had two rails and 0.4 time penalties in the final segment.
Austin O’Connor, who had dreamed of becoming the first Irishman to win Badminton since 1965, toppled two rails and accumulated 1.6 time penalties with Colorado Blue (51.9). That dropped him from second to third, behind 2021 Land Rover Kentucky winner Ballaghmor Class and Oliver Townend, who made the runner-up slot even with a rail and 0.4 time penalties. His total of 50.3 penalties was 15 behind the winner’s final score of 35.3.
“He’s unreal,” said Oliver of his horse.
“He’s had too many second places – blame the jockey – but it’s a huge relief that he’s had yet another good result.”
Making the best of things, Austin said, “Naturally I’m a bit disappointed, but to be on the podium with two heroes – two of the best riders in the world – is pretty amazing. The result is personally great for me, but I hope it will give Irish eventing a lift.”
It should. This was the first time in 40 years that an Irish rider has been on the podium at Badminton.
The first double clear on the challenging course came from Britain’s Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift, quickly followed by British Olympic individual silver medalist and team gold medalist Tom McEwen with Toldeo de Kerser, his mount of a decade. The Toms were the only two entries to achieve that double-clear distinction, ending up fifth and fourth respectively.
U.S. riders finished very respectably. Lillian Heard Wood had a show jumping rail with LCC Barnaby to finish on 91.5 penalties in twentieth place, a big step up from being sixtieth after dressage. Katherine and Monbeg Senna wound up with just 0.4 time penalties in the show jumping to end twenty third, after coming in twenty seventh in dressage and moving up a place after cross-country. She was among those four riders to achieve leaving all the rails in place in show jumping, quite a distinction.
In case you’re wondering why show jumping was on the Monday, the schedule had to be rearranged due to the coronation of King Charles III on the Saturday, which is usually cross-country day. To read about cross-country, look at the second story on the front of the website, or click on this link
On a sad note, WSF Carthago owned by Frank Breach and ridden by Fiona Kashel, had to be euthanized. Tied for 36th after dressage, he was eliminated on cross-country. The horse was treated in the veterinary clinic at Badminton and subsequently hospitalized. The extent of the injury found in surgery meant successful repair was not possible.
For complete results, click this link.
