Powell Back To Defend Badminton Title
She 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, Jesse Campbell on Cooley Lafitte, Dan Jocelyn with Blackthorn Cruise, Joe Meyer and Harbin, Tayla Mason aboard Centennial, and Lauren Innes on Global Fision M.
In typical Caroline style, the two-time 5* winner said she was 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.'
Twelve-year-old Greenacres Special Cavalier were the New Zealand alternate for the Paris Olympic Games and placed fifth on debut at 5* at Pau. Thirteen-year-old High Time did his first 5* start at Pau and has been very consistent at 4*-L level for his rider.
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. He has three 5* wins to his credit with third his best effort at Badminton. This will be 11-year-old Viscount Viktor 's first Badminton start.
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. 'She is a very talented mare but not the most straight forward,' says Jonelle. 'I live in hope that one day I will crack her and you just never know when that day might come so watch this space!'
Tokyo Olympian Jesse Campbell is entered with his 2024 Badminton and Burghley starter, 13-year-old Cooley Lafitte.
Samantha Lissington is on debut at Badminton but has previous placed 11th at both Luhmuhlen and Pau and is entered with Lord Seekonig.
Fellow Olympians Dan Jocelyn and Joe 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 Tayla 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.
They'll be facing the toughest of asks not only from the event, but also the star-studded entry list that includes three of Britain's victorious Olympic team, 2022 world champ Yasminn Ingham (GBR), reigning European champion Ros Canter (GBR), world no.2 Tom McEwen (GBR), and six of the world's top 10 ranked riders.
Fifteen nations are represented at the iconic event, one of just seven in the world at 5* level. It's the 76th running of Badminton with £117,600 on offer for the winner.
The event starts on Wednesday afternoon (UK time) with the first horse inspection followed by two days of dressage, the Eric Winter-designed cross country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.
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.
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