Equilibrium riders on top form at Badminton Horse Trials 2015.

Badminton International Horse Trials – Winner 2015

William Fox-Pitt

After three days of thrills and spills, William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning were crowned winners of Badminton Horse Trials 2015. The weekend began on Friday with William posting a dressage score of 39 putting him in 2nd place behind the leader, Andrew Nicholson.

William was one of just 8 riders to complete the cross country inside the time and with no further penalties, the pair remained in 2nd place going into the final show jumping phase.

Requiring a clear round to keep his 2nd place, William and Chilli Morning produced a faultless round under extreme pressure – job done. The pressure then moved to Andrew Nicholson. Riding an unsettled Nereo, the 15-year-old chestnut was clearly unnerved by the electric atmosphere, and when he hit the second fence it was all over.

William won the Badminton title in 2004 and has been campaigning for a second win ever since. Christopher Stone’s, Chilli Morning, a 15 year old TB makes history as the first stallion to ever win a 4* event.

Jock Paget

Jock Paget proved his class posting dressage scores of 40.8 for Clifton Lush and 41.2 for Clifton Promise putting them in 5th and 6th place respectively after dressage.

Both of his horses jumped a clear cross country round with just 6.4 time penalties for Clifton Promise although he wasn’t presented for the final day of show jumping.

With the show jumping course proving difficult for the majority of riders Jock and Clifton Lush jumped with style but with one pole down saw them finish in 3rd place overall.

Sam Griffiths

Holding the title of Badminton Horse Trials winner 2014, all eyes were on Sam Griffiths. Sam rode Paulank Brockagh and Happy Times to produce dressage scores of 48.2 and 47.5 respectively. The cross country provided no difficulties for Paulank Brockagh who jumped clear and finished just over the time with 1.6 penalties. Unfortunately Happy Times appeared to crumple on landing in the water and was retired soon after.

Adding just 4 penalties in the show jumping, Sam and Paulank Brockagh finished the weekend on 53.8 and 10th place overall.

Louisa Milne Home

Competing for the 3rd time at Badminton, Louisa and King Eider (aka Duck) took the whole event in their stride and finished in a very respectable 31st place. A dressage score of 47.8 had Louisa in 27th place after day two. King Eider, a 17.2hh gelding owned by Louisa and her mother jumped a near faultless cross country round but picked up 24 time penalties putting them down to 45 place going into the dressage. Jumping a clear show jumping round inside the time when many others were unable to, Louisa and Duck ended the weekend on a high before making the 8 and half hour journey back to Scotland.

Ben Hobday

Ben Hobday Riding Mulrys Error, Badminton Horse Trials 2015, Image By Sebastian Oakley (1)Competing at only his second 4* event, Mulrys Error showed that he is up for the job. Ben rode the 13 year old TB x Clydesdale in dressage to produce a result of 57.1 penalties. Seen to be obviously enjoying themselves, the pair completed a clear xc round but picked up 36.8 time penalties. Unfortunately it was their day in the showjumping and they finished in 54th place. A true crowd favourite, the pair promise to be back to fight another day!

Congratulations to all our riders for their superb results and top class performances.

A full list of results can be found www.badminton-horse.co.uk