Nicole and Diarm preview the biggest day of the week before being joined by British Performance Manager Dickie Waygood for one of the most insightful conversations of the week. From Ros Canter's record-breaking dressage lead to what separates great cross-country riders from good ones, Dickie breaks down the art of riding Badminton.

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

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.

In a special live edition of the podfrom the Ramsbury Gin Pavilion, Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne and Sam Watson to break down what a 23.7 from Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo really means, and whether we could be watching history in the making.

Then two five-star winners join the stage. Gemma Stevens and Laura Collett talk nerves, routines, start box moments, and what really goes through your mind the night before Badminton cross-country.

Highlights

• Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo head into Saturday on a record 23.7
• Nicole Brown, Diarmuid Byrne, and Sam Watson break down the numbers behind the week so far
• Gemma Stevens and Laura Collett on nerves, routines, and what makes a true Badminton horse
• Rider reactions to Eric Winter's cross-country track
• Live crowd questions, plenty of laughs, and a few predictions before the biggest day of the week

Guests

• Nicole Brown
• Diarmuid Byrne
• Sam Watson
• Gemma Stevens
• Laura Collett

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.

On Day 2 of the Tour Diaries, we catch up with riders and familiar faces around the park as the first centre lines are ridden. Tom Jackson talks pressure, preparation, and why Badminton still gives him goosebumps. Lucy Jackson joins us ringside with her take on the first day of dressage, the judging, and what Eric Winter's track could bring later in the week. Bubby Upton opens up on the emotional reality of returning for a fifth Badminton with Cola.

Away from the interviews, Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl set the early standard on 28.1, with Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy continuing their rise on 29.3. With just three combinations breaking the 30 mark on day one, and some of the biggest names in the sport still to come, the leaderboard is only just starting to take shape.

Highlights

• Tom Jackson on pressure, preparation, and the magic of Badminton
• Lucy Jackson breaks down the opening dressage, standout tests, and the leaderboard
• Bubby Upton reflects on five Badmintons with Cola
• Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl lead overnight on 28.1, with Will Rawlin closing fast
• Plenty still to come, including Ros Canter, Sam Watson, and Tim Price on Friday

Guests

• Tom Jackson
• Lucy Jackson
• Bubby Upton

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.

At Badminton, it's easy to focus on what happens inside the ropes. But some of the biggest stories this week are happening beyond the start box too.

In this special episode of the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast, Nicole and Sam catch up with Laura Collett and Will Rawlin on the Holland Cooper stand, talking Badminton nerves, five-star preparation, dressage expectations, and what it really feels like to arrive at one of the sport's biggest stages.

Plus, Jade Holland Cooper reflects on building a brand that started at Badminton with a tiny stand and has grown into a global luxury business, while staying deeply connected to the sport that helped shape it.

Highlights

• Laura Collett on Bling's five-star journey, and why this year feels different
• Will Rawlin on arriving at Badminton with real top-10 ambitions
• Behind the scenes of Holland Cooper's growing presence at Badminton
• Jade Holland Cooper on building a global brand from a two-metre stand
• Why sport, style, and storytelling continue to collide at Badminton

Guests

• Laura Collett
• Will Rawlin
• Jade Holland Cooper

Holland Cooper at Badminton

Find Holland Cooper all week at Stand 125, Worcester Way.

Shop online: https://www.hollandcooper.com

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.

One of the biggest contenders is out and suddenly this year's Badminton looks very different with the spotlight now firmly on Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne, Sam Watson, and Ali Barrett to react to the late withdrawal of Oliver Townend's Cooley Rosalent.

They dig into what this means for the competition, from Graffalo's win chances to the unpredictability of five-star sport, and why this still isn't a foregone conclusion. From pressure and performance to the reality of flags, pins, and fine margins, the team explore how quickly everything can change... even for the very best.

Guests Nicole Brown, Diarmuid Byrne, Sam Watson, Ali Barrett

A shot at history. A rival ready to challenge it. And one of the deepest Badminton fields in years.

Can Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo become the first horse-and-rider combination to win Badminton three times? Or is this the year Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent go one better after leading Badminton for almost all of last year's competition?

Nicole Brown, Diarmuid Byrne, Sam Watson, Catherine Austen, and special guest Adam Short break down the head-to-head everyone is talking about, the horses building behind them, and the names that could blow this wide open, from Harry Meade to Sarah Bullimore, plus the returning experience of Caroline Powell, Tim Price, and more.

Prediction Centre numbers, Eventing Manager picks, weather watch, dark horses, and the stories that could define the week. Badminton is here.

Highlights

• Can Lordships Graffalo make history with a third Badminton title?
• Is Cooley Rosalent now ready to finish on her dressage score?
• Why Harry Meade could be sitting on two genuine contenders
• Sarah Bullimore's rising star Corimiro
• Eventing Manager picks and dark horses to watch
• The weather forecast and what it could mean for the leaderboard

Guests

• Diarmuid Byrne — EquiRatings analyst and co-host
• Sam Watson — Olympic event rider, analyst, and co-founder of EquiRatings
• Catherine Austen — Eventing journalist and columnist
• Adam Short — Top-level groom with years behind the scenes of five-star success, including with Tom McEwen and William Fox-Pitt.

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.

From a $50 pony in Australia to the heart of Badminton coverage, Amy Parks has taken anything but a conventional route into the sport.

In this episode of When Nicole Met, brought to you by Bedmax, Nicole Brown sits down with Amy for a conversation that goes well beyond television. From growing up in Melbourne with big dreams of performing, to building a career in journalism, breakfast TV, and entertainment, to interviewing everyone from Tom Cruise to Daniel Craig, Amy shares the unexpected path that eventually led her to equestrian sport, and why she believes horse sport can dream much bigger.

They talk Badminton, ClipMyHorse, the In-Out Studio, inclusivity in equestrian sport, and why making people feel part of the story matters just as much as the sport itself. Plus, Amy reveals who she would love to see win Badminton this year.

Highlights

• Growing up in Australia, ponies, Pony Club, and performance dreams
• The career pivot that led from acting ambitions to journalism
• Covering global entertainment and interviewing some of Hollywood's biggest names
• The move to the UK, and finding a new home in equestrian sport
• Behind the scenes of Badminton TV and ClipMyHorse
• Why inclusivity and storytelling could change horse sport
• Amy's pick for Badminton 2026

Guests

• Amy Parks — Presenter, producer, and one of the leading broadcast voices in equestrian sport

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.