The three-year wait is so very nearly over, final prep runs in the bag, bubble wrap installed, so then the conversation drifts towards the Winners Trophy.

Who shall be lifting the new magnificent new trophy, created by the award-winning animal sculptor Judy Boyt – well given the look of the hefty wait of the Oak used from the Badminton estate, who’ll be strong enough to lift the trophy aloft on Sunday afternoon?

In the recent weeks, much has been debated over who deserves to win, who will win, who will lead after the first phase and will the dressage record be broken. I for one, given the special one holds the lowest first phase score, shall not be eagerly awaiting the record to be smashed this year.

Oliver Townend & Badminton record dressage scorer, Cillnabradden Evo, Badminton Horse Trials, May 2019

But favourites aside, there are World Champions, Olympic Medalists, European Champions and 5* winners a plenty on the entry list, but who are the likely contenders for the much-coveted top spot…

Ros Canter

Ros brings forward two exciting entries – her WEG Champion Allstar B is back at Badminton, having last visited in 2018 when delivering a 3rd place result en-route to Double Gold in Tryon.

Ros also brings forward the exciting Lordships Graffalo – dear Walter was long listed for the Europeans last year, having out in some stellar results at 4* level. Walter is making his 5* debut

Oliver Townend

Oliver brings forward two entries, most likely of his five entered will be one of the most successful 5* campaigners in Ballaghmor Class and he will be very hard to beat. Along with the former ride of Andrew Nicholson in Diana and Paul Ridgeon’s gorgeous grey, Swallow Springs. Andrew and Swallow Springs delivered a top 5 finish in 2019, so Oliver will have two incredibly strong chances to go to war with next week.

Kitty King

Kitty returns to Badminton with her European Team Gold medallist partner, Vendredi Biats – the characterful grey put in arguably his best cross country round in Avenches last summer and Badminton has been the aim since, delivering solid prep runs all Spring. More than capable of delivering a low twenties mark in the first phase, I shall be cheering on dear Froggy all week.

Tom McEwen

Newly engaged Tom (Congratulations to Tom & Harriet) will be bringing his Tokyo Silver Medallist back to Badminton, having had no luck here in 2019 – a broken pin and a delayed start saw their chances slip away, so we will all be cheering if they get to lift the trophy on Sunday afternoon. Toledo is a great form and fingers crossed for them both. Tom also brings his Pau runner-up CHF Cooliser

Laura Collett

Completing the Tokyo reunion at Badminton will be Laura and London 52. Dan as he is known has delivered some great performances this Spring, including 3rd at Thoresby 4* as part of his preparation for Badminton. The Pau winner of 2020 has 100% strike rate at the level, so what will he and Laura be able to achieve at Badminton.

Nicola Wilson

Nicola brings her European Champion JL Dublin to tackle his first 5*, along with Erano M – both debuting at the level. JL Dublin posted an amazing score in the first phase at Avenches and wasn’t for catching, will we see the same here?

Pippa Funnell

Pippa is warming up for Badminton with the 5* in Kentucky this weekend, so will be bringing the Burghley winner MGH Grafton Street and Billy Walk On, who finished runner-up at the Chedington Bicton Park 5* last summer. Two live chances to get Pippa on the Badminton podium.

Piggy March

Piggy comes to Badminton, albeit after a 3-year hiatus, as the defending champion and returns with her super-mare Vanir Kamira. Tillybean must know every blade of grass out on the Badminton course and as they say in horseracing ‘Horses for Courses’ – course form plays a big part and she sure knows the fastest way around here, discount her at your peril.

Piggy was also due to bring forward her European Team Gold and individual Silver medallist partner in Brookfield Inocent. Arthur has sadly been withdrawn - sincere commiserations to all at Team Piggy and Brookfield Equestrian.

Mollie Summerland

Mollie and Charly come to Badminton as the reigning Luhmulen five star winners from last summer, making an instant impact the level. Mollie has been posting about several training visit's to Carl Hester throughout the build-up, so I expect this combination to be near the top of the leaderboard after the first phase.

The French Invasion

In this Word Championship year, the foreign entry list is as strong as you’d expect. Some great entries from France has been made including Maxime Livio and his Pau 2021 ride Vitorio du Montet, Gireg Le Coz and Asprit De La Loge, along with dark horse Zanzibar Villa Rose Z and Tom Carlile.

Across the Pond

The American contingent is very string this year, with up to eight entries from across the pond, the US will be launching a strong challenge for the title including Philip Dutton and Z along with Tamra Smith and Mai Baum.

The Dark Horses

In winning form; Ben Hobday & Shadow Man II take the AI section at Kelsall Hill International Horse Trials, April 2022

The Event Horse Owners Syndicate have two live chances in Ben Hobday and Shadow Man II along with Emily King and Valmy Biats – whilst both are making their 5* debuts, they are both very capable of putting in solid rounds next weekend.

Unbelievably there is still time to join both Syndicate experiences with Ben and Emily - click here to learn more

Emily King & Valmy Biats, Thoresby Eventing Spring Carnival, April 2022

Alice Casburn

Alice brings her Mother’s homebred Topspin having delivered an eye-catching debut at the level in Pau. Alice, the youngest competitor this year, and Spin have come so far together and it would not be any sort of surprise to see them complete the weekend with a double clear.

With most of the field mentioned above, its hard to pick a winner from such a competitive field, but who is your winner?

I for one shall just be cheering that we have made it back to Badminton, the show roles on once more and that some sense of normality and equilibrium exists in my world once more. Do say hi, if you are lucky enough to be coming along next week, when I whizz by and raise a glass to Badminton’s return.

Diary of a fledgling ‘tog:

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Badminton 22: The Contenders