Powell out to defend her Badminton title
- Dave Worsley
- May 7
- 2 min read
Olympic eventer Caroline Powell is one of 11 Kiwi combinations starting at the Badminton Horse Trials where she will defend her 2024 crown aboard Greenacres Special Cavalier.
Powell also has High Time entered in the CCI5* alongside world No.4 Tim Price with Vitali and Viscount Viktor, Jonelle Price aboard Grappa Nera, Samantha Lissington on Lord Seekonig.
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Jesse Campbell is on Cooley Lafitte, Dan Jocelyn with Blackthorn Cruise, Joe Meyer and Harbin, Tayla Mason aboard Centennial, and Lauren Innes on Global Fision M.
Two-time 5* winne Powell says she is looking forward to a good week of sport and fun.
“I am not feeling any more pressure than usual and hoping to do the best we can and come out the other side.”
Tim Price had his first Badminton start more than a decade ago. Last year he and 15-year-old Vitali were eighth but have also placed second at Burghley. Tim was New Zealand’s best performed at the Paris Games with his sixth place finish aboard Falco.
Jonelle Price and her 14-year-old mare Grappa Nera were sixth at Badminton last year and she’s looking forward the returning on the back of a stellar effort in 2024.
Lissington is on debut at Badminton but has previous placed 11th at both Luhmuhlen and Pau and is entered with Lord Seekonig.
Fellow Olympians Jocelyn and Myer are in on Blackthorn Cruise and Harbin respectively while Lauren Innes lines up for here fourth consecutive Badminton start with her 15-year-old Global Fision M.
Badminton debutant Mason and her home-bred Centennial made the start list by the skin of her teeth after an agonising time on the wait list. Their only other 5* start was in 2021 at Pau.
A star-studded entry list from 15 nations that includes three of Britain’s victorious Olympic team, 2022 world champ Yasminn Ingham, reigning European champion Ros Canter, world no.2 Tom McEwen, and six of the world’s top 10 ranked riders.
New Zealand has an impressive history with Badminton. As well as Caroline’s victory last year, 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.
