Entries for the 2026 Mars Badminton Horse Trials were published on March 23, with two-time champions Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo topping the list. The event is scheduled for May 6-10 and offers a top prize of £125,000. Several former winners and world-ranked riders are among the entrants.
The entries for the 2026 Badminton Horse Trials feature prominent names, including Ros Canter riding Lordships Graffalo, known as “Walter.” Canter, ranked number five in the world, won the event in 2023 and 2025 and recently gave birth to her second child this year. A Badminton spokesperson noted: “Ros Canter... and the great Lordships Graffalo have already galloped into the record books as the only combination to win two Badmintons and two Burghleys. A third victory here together would seal their place in the sporting canon of all time.” Oliver Townend with Cooley Rosalent and Austin O’Connor with Colorado Blue, who finished second and third last year, are also entered. World number one Harry Meade has five horses listed and plans to ride three. Other notable entries include European champion Laura Collett with Bling, Emily King with Valmy Biats, and Gemma Stevens with Chilli Knight and Chilli King. Bubby Upton enters veteran Cola, while David Doel lists Galileo Nieuwmoed, Midnight Rollercoaster, and Ferro Point, planning to start two. International riders feature Boyd Martin from the US with Miks Master C, Tim Price from New Zealand with five-star winner Falco, Caroline Powell with 2024 champions Greenacres Special Cavalier, and 2018 winner Jonelle Price with Chilli’s Midnight Star. Badminton director Jane Tuckwell said: “It’s always a thrill that so many of the world’s top riders want to return to Badminton as well as the first timers aiming to ‘tick the box’ and be part of history. It’s going to be another exciting competition and will provide, we hope, some pointers to medallists at the World Championships in Aachen this year.” Austin O’Connor also enters Sixmilewater and stated: “Badminton is the pinnacle of the sport and I am excited to be heading there again.” First-timer Sam Ecroyd with Boleybawn LeCrae described it as a long-time ambition that feels surreal.
