The Badminton Horse Trials, part of the HSBC FEI Classics series, is one of the most prestigious horse trials in the world. It is a multi-day eventing competition, where horses and riders compete against each other in dressage, cross-country and show jumping. The event is held annually, usually in May, and is hosted at the Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire, England.
The event attracts world-class competitors from around the world, and this year’s event is no exception. The top competitors have been training hard and will be vying for the top spot. So, who is leading the Badminton Horse Trials?
Introducing the Olympians
The first group of competitors to look at is the Olympians. These are riders who have already competed in the Olympic Games and have earned themselves a place in the world rankings. This year, there are three Olympians leading the Badminton Horse Trials: Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt, New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson and Sweden’s Sara Algotsson-Ostholt.
William Fox-Pitt
William Fox-Pitt is a British event rider and has been competing in the event for over 25 years. He has competed in five Olympic Games, winning team gold in 2012 and individual silver in 2008. Fox-Pitt is currently ranked number one in the world and is a strong contender for the Badminton Horse Trials.
Andrew Nicholson
Andrew Nicholson is a New Zealand event rider and is one of the most successful riders in the world. He has competed in seven Olympic Games, winning team bronze in 2012 and individual bronze in 2004. Nicholson currently holds the world record for the most wins at the Badminton Horse Trials, with seven wins to his name.
Sara Algotsson-Ostholt
Sara Algotsson-Ostholt is a Swedish event rider and has been competing in the sport for over two decades. She has competed in three Olympic Games, winning team gold in 2012 and individual gold in 2004. Algotsson-Ostholt is currently ranked number two in the world and is a strong contender for the Badminton Horse Trials.
The Wildcards
The second group of competitors to look at are the wildcards. These are riders who have not competed in the Olympic Games, but who have earned themselves a place in the world rankings. This year, there are three wildcards leading the Badminton Horse Trials: Great Britain’s Oliver Townend, Australia’s Christopher Burton and Germany’s Ingrid Klimke.
Oliver Townend
Oliver Townend is a British event rider and has been competing in the sport for over a decade. He has won numerous international events, including the Burghley Horse Trials in 2017 and the Badminton Horse Trials in 2016. Townend is currently ranked number three in the world and is a strong contender for the Badminton Horse Trials.
Christopher Burton
Christopher Burton is an Australian event rider and has been competing in the sport for over a decade. He has won numerous international events, including the Adelaide International Horse Trials in 2016 and the Luhmuhlen Horse Trials in 2015. Burton is currently ranked number four in the world and is a strong contender for the Badminton Horse Trials.
Ingrid Klimke
Ingrid Klimke is a German event rider and has been competing in the sport for over a decade. She has won numerous international events, including the Luhmuhlen Horse Trials in 2017 and the Badminton Horse Trials in 2015. Klimke is currently ranked number five in the world and is a strong contender for the Badminton Horse Trials.
Conclusion
The Badminton Horse Trials is one of the most prestigious horse trials in the world, and this year’s event is no exception. The top competitors have been training hard and will be vying for the top spot. The leading contenders include three Olympians and three wildcards, and this year’s event is sure to be a thrilling and exciting one.