EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

There are some stories that stay with the sport forever. This week, Nicole shines a light on Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony charity as it celebrates 10 years of making an extraordinary impact. At Badminton, Nicole catches up with Hannah's mum Rachel Francis and trustee Miles Toulson-Clarke to reflect on Hannah's story, the community that rallied around her and the legacy that continues to grow today. Following Hannah's osteosarcoma diagnosis at just 17, Willberry became far more than a mascot. What began as one young rider sharing her journey has gone on to fund vital research, grant life-changing wishes and support families facing impossible circumstances. This is a conversation about horses, determination, community and the difference one person can make. Highlights • The story behind Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony • How one rider inspired a global community • 10 years of wishes, fundraising and impact • Progress in osteosarcoma research • The eventing community's role in Hannah's legacy • Why Willberry continues to mean so much • What it means to "Be More Hannah" Guests Rachel Francis Miles Toulson-Clarke EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing

Bramham feels like one of those moments in the season where things stop being hypothetical. Nicole and Spike look back on a weekend that answered some questions, created a few more, and left plenty of combinations heading into the second half of the year with momentum. There's reaction to Bubby Upton and It's Cooley Time defending their title after a difficult few months, a brilliant result for Selina Milnes, and discussion around the horses that left Yorkshire feeling like they belong in bigger conversations. Plus, Tom McEwen and JL Dublin edge the four-star short, the under-25 picture starts to take shape, and there's plenty of reflection on why Bramham still holds such an important place in the calendar. Highlights Bubby Upton and It's Cooley Time bounce back Selina Milnes' big result Four-star short reaction Under-25 combinations impress Which horses changed the conversation Why Bramham still matters Eyes already turning towards Luhmühlen Guests Nicole Brown Spike Milligan This show is kindly supported by Bedmax, purpose-made natural horse bedding designed to protect respiratory health, support hooves, and provide a clean, comfortable stable environment.

By Saturday night at Mars Badminton Horse Trials, the leaderboard looks different, and so does everyone who's been part of it. On today's Badminton Diaries, we start the day with Simon Middleton from Zebra Products and the team behind Simon Grieve's Autograph, sharing the emotional story of a homebred who has gone all the way to five-star. Then Marcus from Fairfax & Favor reflects on 13 years at Badminton, how far the brand has come, and why some stands become part of the fabric of the week. Out on course, Sarah Bullimore joins us after one of the rounds of the day, a brilliant clear inside the time with the 10-year-old Corimiro. Then, as the sun starts to drop over the lake, Laura Collett, Sam Watson, Georgia Patrick, and Diarmuid sit down to unpack a cross-country day that delivered everything, history, heartbreak, homebreds, and one combination that still looks untouchable. Highlights Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo hold the lead after cross-country Sarah Bullimore and Corimiro deliver one of the rounds of the week The emotional story behind Simon Grieve's Autograph, from foal to five-star Marcus from Fairfax & Favor on 13 years at Badminton Laura Collett and Sam Watson break down the pressure, the partnerships, and the performances that shaped Saturday The movers, the heartbreaks, and who still has it all to play for on Sunday Guests Nicole Brown Diarmuid Byrne Simon Middleton, Zebra Products Marcus from Fairfax & Favor Sarah Bullimore Laura Collett Sam Watson Georgia Patrick This year's Badminton Diaries are brought to you by: Fairfax Saddles Scientifically designed saddles, bridles, and girths, built to help horses move freely, comfortably, and at their best. Visit Fairfax Saddles EcoVoltz Built for life on the move, from walking cross-country tracks to covering every corner of the showground. ecovoltz.co.uk/— please use your existing partner link if you have a direct landing page. Uvex Trusted by top riders worldwide for premium helmets and gloves, combining protection, comfort, and performance. Explore Uvex Equestrian Zebra Products Supplying world-class equestrian brands, from performance tack to rider essentials, trusted across every discipline. Visit Zebra Products US Equestrian Open A new era of championship sport across jumping, dressage, and eventing in the United States. Website: usequestrianopen.org EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing for your ultimate Badminton companion.

Before the first horse leaves the start box at Mars Badminton Horse Trials, Nicole Brown sits down with the man behind the questions, Eric Winter. From the lake to the Vicarage Vee, from camera angles to ground conditions, Eric opens up on what really goes into building a Badminton cross-country track, and why obvious doesn't always mean easy. He talks inspiration from places like Luhmühlen International Horse Trials, why he wants riders to bring their very best cross-country horses here, and the balance between education, sport, and entertainment at the highest level. There's also a fascinating look at how the course is wheeled, where seconds are won and lost, and why this year's track might look straightforward... right up until you try to ride it at 570 metres a minute. Highlights Eric Winter on designing Badminton since 2017 Why "obvious" and "easy" are not the same thing The story behind this year's lake complex and Vicarage questions How terrain, footing, and camera angles all shape the final track Why Badminton should reward true cross-country horses Eric on pressure: "Pressure is an honour." Guests Nicole Brown Eric Winter This year's Badminton Diaries are brought to you by: Fairfax Saddles Scientifically designed saddles, bridles, and girths, built to help horses move freely, comfortably, and at their best. Visit Fairfax Saddles EcoVolts Built for life on the move, from walking cross-country tracks to covering every corner of the showground. ecovoltz.co.uk/— please use your existing partner link if you have a direct landing page. Uvex Trusted by top riders worldwide for premium helmets and gloves, combining protection, comfort, and performance. Explore Uvex Equestrian Zebra Products Supplying world-class equestrian brands, from performance tack to rider essentials, trusted across every discipline. Visit Zebra Products U.S. Equestrian Open A new era of championship sport across jumping, dressage, and eventing in the United States. Website: usequestrianopen.org EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing for your ultimate Badminton companion.

Dressage is done at Mars Badminton Horse Trials, the leaderboard is set, and now all eyes turn to cross-country. On Friday's Badminton Diaries, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo head into Saturday with the biggest dressage lead at Badminton in modern history, but behind them, it feels as open as ever. We catch up with Austin O'Connor on bringing Sixmilewater back to Badminton, what it takes to build future five-star horses, and why Colorado Blue is still firmly part of the bigger picture. Then Vanessa from Fairfax Saddles takes us behind the scenes, sharing the science, detail, and precision that supports riders like Harry Meade, Tom Jackson, and Bubby Upton at the top of the sport. Later, Sam Watson joins us on cross-country eve to talk mindset, preparation, and why all the homework is already done. Plus, lakeside chats with Ben Way, Matt Heath, and Rosie Meade as Badminton starts to buzz ahead of Saturday. Later, Sam Watson joins us on cross-country eve to talk mindset, preparation, and why all the homework is already done. Plus, lakeside chats with Ben Way, Matt Heath, and Rosie Meade as Badminton starts to buzz ahead of Saturday. We also catch up with Tracy and Alan from EcoVoltz on why their bikes have become part of daily life for riders, grooms, and teams across the sport. Highlights Ros Canter leads on 23.7, the biggest Badminton dressage margin on record Austin O'Connor on Sixmilewater, Colorado Blue, and building future five-star horses Behind the scenes with Fairfax Saddles and the data driving top performance Sam Watson on cross-country eve, pressure, preparation, and enjoying the moment Ben Way and Matt Heath give their honest read on Eric Winter's track Rosie Meade on the team behind getting multiple horses to five-star Tracy and Alan from EcoVoltz on supporting the sport from the ground up Guests Austin O'Connor Vanessa from Fairfax Saddles Sam Watson Ben Way Matt Heath Rosie Meade Tracy and Alan from EcoVoltz This year's Badminton Diaries are brought to you by: Fairfax Saddles Scientifically designed saddles, bridles, and girths, built to help horses move freely, comfortably, and at their best. Visit Fairfax Saddles EcoVolts Built for life on the move, from walking cross-country tracks to covering every corner of the showground. ecovoltz.co.uk/— please use your existing partner link if you have a direct landing page. Uvex Trusted by top riders worldwide for premium helmets and gloves, combining protection, comfort, and performance. Explore Uvex Equestrian Zebra Products Supplying world-class equestrian brands, from performance tack to rider essentials, trusted across every discipline. Visit Zebra Products U.S. Equestrian Open A new era of championship sport across jumping, dressage, and eventing in the United States. Website: usequestrianopen.org EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing for your ultimate Badminton companion.

Badminton is officially underway, and if day one is anything to go by, this week is going to deliver. From the buzz of the first horse inspection, to honest post-trot-up debriefs in the car with Sam Watson, behind-the-scenes chats with riders, vets, and some of the sport's biggest names, this first edition of the Badminton Tour Diaries has a bit of everything. There's a special catch-up with Cassie Sanger on her rise through the five-star ranks, insight into the cross-country from Piggy March and Tina Cook, plus a special live moment with defending champion Ros Canter, balancing life with three-and-a-half-month-old while preparing for another shot at history aboard Lordships Graffalo. Add in Spike's take on the field, Sam's first impressions of Eric Winter's track, and the usual behind-the-scenes chaos of Badminton week, and we are officially up and running. Highlights Sam Watson's first reaction to the Badminton cross-country track Ros Canter on motherhood, pressure, and Lordships Graffalo's title defence Cassie Sanger on Kentucky, Burghley, and what comes next Piggy March and Tina Cook break down the course Spike the Vet's take on the favourites, dark horses, and the week ahead Trot-up fashion, sponsor stories, and the authentic chaos of day one Guests Sam Watson Cassie Sanger Ros Canter Piggy March Tina Cook Spike the Vet This year's Badminton Diaries are brought to you by: Fairfax Saddles Scientifically designed saddles, bridles, and girths, built to help horses move freely, comfortably, and at their best. Visit Fairfax Saddles EcoVoltz Built for life on the move, from walking cross-country tracks to covering every corner of the showground. ecovoltz.co.uk/— please use your existing partner link if you have a direct landing page. Uvex Trusted by top riders worldwide for premium helmets and gloves, combining protection, comfort, and performance. Explore Uvex Equestrian Zebra Products Supplying world-class equestrian brands, from performance tack to rider essentials, trusted across every discipline. Visit Zebra Products U.S. Equestrian Open A new era of championship sport across jumping, dressage, and eventing in the United States. Website: usequestrianopen.org EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing for your ultimate Badminton companion.

Sam Watson sits down with world number three Eventing Manager player Ali Barrett, to build their Badminton teams live, debate the biggest calls in the game, and work through the strategy behind building a five-star team that can actually score. From whether you still spend big on Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, to doubling up on Harry Meade, finding value with Caroline Powell and High Time, and uncovering the under-the-radar picks that could separate your team from everyone else, this is full of strategy, second guesses, and a few picks Ali maybe shouldn't have shared. Play Eventing Manager here: https://manager.equiratings.com/ Highlights Where should your money go now at the top of the market? Why Ali is doubling up on Harry Meade Caroline Powell and High Time, the biggest value in the game? Sam's no-Graffalo strategy The 1.8 million picks that could change everything Team structure, risk, and how top-ranked players actually build a five-star team Guests Sam Watson — Olympic event rider, analyst, and co-founder of EquiRatings Ali Barrett — EquiRatings own, and current world number three in Eventing Manager, known for bold picks, value hunting, and sharp five-star strategy EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing for your ultimate Badminton companion.