Wednesday, 29 April 2026
It’s the weekend that eventing fans have been counting down to since, well, probably the start of the season – the MARS Badminton Horse Trials is back for its 77th running from 6–10 May. The glorious surroundings of the Duke of Beaufort’s Gloucestershire estate will once again see some of the very best horse and rider combinations from around the world gather for the ultimate sporting showdown, and we’ve pulled together all the important information you need to know – whether you’re there in person or following along at home.
The names on everyone’s lips are Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, who are back to see if they can rewrite the history books once again with an unprecedented third Badminton victory. This comes off the back of securing the ‘double-double’ last year, when they won both Badminton and Defender Burghley Horse Trials for a second time – the only combination to ever do so.
Joining Ros and ‘Walter’ are a whole host of World Class Programme athletes. Keen to reclaim the title that he won back in 2009 with Flint Curtis, Oliver Townend partners Cooley Rosalent, who is unbeaten so far this season and will be looking to further impress the selectors ahead of this summer’s FEI World Championships. Meanwhile, fresh off the plane from the Kentucky Three Day Event, World Number One Harry Meade brings forward not one, not two, but three of his impressive string – Annaghmore Valoner, Cavalier Crystal and Et Hop Du Matz – in a bid for his first CCI5* title.
Emily King will be back with Valmy Biats, looking to improve on last year’s fifth place at Badminton, along with fellow Podium Potential Pathway athlete Max Warburton, riding Deerpairc Revelry on their second Badminton entry. Bubby Upton will once again pilot the evergreen Cola, while Laura Collett brings forward Bling for their second spin round the park. Other returners include Tom Jackson’s Hawk Eye and Gemma Steven’s Bicton CCI5* winner Chilli Knight.
Exciting Badminton debutants include Tom Jackson’s second ride United 36, winner of the Eventing Spring Carnival CCI4*-L a few weeks ago, Sarah Bullimore’s homebred Corimiro, who was fifth at Pau CCI5* at the end of last season, and Gemma Steven’s second ride, Chilli King, sired by Badminton’s winner in 2015, Chilli Morning. Sam Ecroyd also makes his long-awaited debut with Boleybawn LaCrae.
The full list of entries can be found online. Individual start times will be available following the first horse inspection.
First horse inspection: Wednesday 6 May
Fashion might be at the forefront of the first horse inspection, but horse welfare is the utmost priority. Riders will present their horses to the ground jury of President Christina Klingspor (SWE), Amanda Miller (USA) and Angela Tucket (GBR) outside of Badminton House, who will watch them trot up to ensure they’re fit to compete. Visitors have the opportunity to spectate and cheer for their favourite combinations when they’re accepted.
Dressage: Thursday 7 – Friday 8 May
Combinations take it in turns to ride a set dressage test, with each movement scored out of 10 by the three judges and an additional collective mark given for the harmony of horse and rider. The combined marks for the test are averaged to give a final percentage, which is then converted into penalties – for example, a 70% test would score 30.00 penalties. The fewer penalties earned, the higher a combination’s placing after the first phase.
Check out the full test sheet using the link below.
Cross-country: Saturday 9 May
Running in the same order as for dressage, combinations head out into Badminton’s parkland to tackle a course of 32 solid fences and combinations designed by Eric Winter, including ditches, water, gates and brushes. The aim is to go round clear inside the optimum time, at a speed of around 570 metres per minute, but that’s easier said than done – penalties are added to their dressage score for jumping faults and seconds over the optimum time, to create a two-phase total.
You can find out more about this year’s cross-country track, including an interactive map, on the Badminton Horse Trials website.
Showjumping and prize-giving: Sunday 10 May
Following a second horse inspection and riding in reverse order of merit, combinations navigate a course of between 11 and 13 showjumps in the main arena, designed by Kelvin Bywater. The aim is to jump clear inside the optimum time – penalties are earned for poles down, jumping faults or additional seconds over the time allowed. The winners are the rider and horse with the lowest combined penalty score at the end of this phase.
The full lists of results and start times for each phase will be available on the Badminton website and updated as the competition progresses. Start times for the dressage phase will be published after the first horse inspection, with the cross-country and showjumping ones added prior to the start of each phase.
You can also find them on the Badminton app, which you can download via the App Store. The app includes a live fence-by-fence analysis during the cross-country phase and the opportunity to receive updates about your pre-selected favourite riders.
We'll share updates on the World Class Programme athletes on our social media throughout the competition.
Tickets for Badminton Horse Trials are only available in advance through the online box office – there will be no sales on the gate. Tickets can be bought up until midnight one day prior to your chosen day of competition. There are daily ticket options, or you can spoil yourself with a season pass, which covers all four days of competition, plus the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championship and first horse inspection on Wednesday 6 May. If you’re planning to attend the showjumping phase on Sunday, you’ll need to purchase separate grandstand seats to watch in the main arena. All cars entering the event will require a car parking pass.
If you're looking to make a trip of it, then camping passes are available in addition to entry tickets. The camp site is just a short walk from the main show ground, and welcomes caravans, motorhomes, horse boxes and tents. Further information can be found here.
More visitor information is available in the online information guide (link below) or via the Badminton Horse Trials website.
Badminton online information guide
Yes! Here’s where you can find them…
Alternatively, why not stop by one of our member bodies’ trade stands to find out more about what they do…
The entire event is being streamed live on Badminton TV, hosted by ClipMyHorse.TV. If you don’t already have a ClipMyHorse.TV membership or an active Badminton TV subscription, you can purchase a Badminton TV Season Pass for £22.99, which provides a year’s access to all available the Badminton content, including the livestream of the 2026 event. You’ll also get access to lots of additional content, including highlights from previous years, exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport and the chance to relive every moment of last year’s competition.
There will be a two-hour highlights programme on BBC2 at 13:45 on Sunday 10 May, which will also cover the top 10 showjumping rounds in real time. The programme will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website shortly after the broadcast.
Radio Badminton is available online or on 87.7FM throughout the event from Wednesday afternoon and will include full coverage from 8:30am each morning until Sunday afternoon, including technical insight and post-round interviews with riders. If you’re on site, you can purchase an earpiece when you buy your tickets online or from sellers around the showground. You can also sign up for a Badminton Plus subscription for £4.99, which allows you to listen to Radio Badminton via the Badminton app.
We’ll be posting regular competition updates on our social media channels, with a focus on our World Class Programme athletes.
British Eventing will also be posting updates on their Facebook and Instagram channels, and on their website.