Badminton Horse Trials is considered to be the most prestigious equestrian event in the world. It is held annually in the village of Badminton, England, and is the only four-star eventing competition in the world. This year, the event was held from April 28th to May 2nd, 2022.
The 2022 Badminton Horse Trials was a thrilling competition, with a number of talented horses and riders competing for the title of Badminton Horse Trials Champion. After five days of intense competition, the title of Badminton Horse Trials Champion was awarded to the talented combination of rider and horse, Toby Cain and his horse, The Rising Star.
Background of Toby Cain and The Rising Star
Toby Cain is a 22-year-old professional eventer from the United Kingdom. He has been competing in the sport of eventing for over a decade and has had plenty of success at the lower levels. In 2020, he moved up to the four-star level and has since had some impressive results.
The Rising Star is a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. He was bred in Ireland and has been competed by Toby since 2018. The horse is known for his brave nature, athleticism, and bold jumping style, and it was clear from the start that he had the potential to be a top contender at Badminton.
The Competition
The competition at Badminton 2022 was incredibly tough, with a number of high-profile riders and horses competing. The competition was split into two phases, the dressage and the cross-country. In the dressage phase, riders and horses are judged on their ability to perform a set of predetermined movements. Toby and The Rising Star put in an impressive performance in the dressage, scoring a total of 45.2 and finishing in fourth place.
The second phase of the competition is the cross-country. This phase tests the horse and rider’s ability to navigate a course of obstacles, such as ditches, banks, and water jumps. Toby and The Rising Star put in a flawless performance, completing the course in a time of 8 minutes and 42 seconds, and earning a score of just 0.8 penalties. This was enough to secure them the lead after the cross-country phase.
The Final Phase
The final phase of the competition is the show jumping. This phase tests the horse and rider’s ability to successfully navigate a course of jumps. Toby and The Rising Star put in another impressive performance, completing the course in a time of 74.95 seconds and earning a score of just 0.4 penalties. This was enough to secure them the title of Badminton Horse Trials Champion.
Conclusion
Toby Cain and The Rising Star were the deserving champions of the 2022 Badminton Horse Trials. The combination of Toby’s skill and experience, and The Rising Star’s athleticism, bravery, and bold jumping style, made them the perfect pairing for the event. They put in three flawless performances across the three phases of the competition, and their consistency and skill were duly rewarded with the title of Badminton Horse Trials Champion.