Laura Collett fulfils childhood dream to claim Badminton Horse Trials title with London 52

Photo © Badminton Horse Trials Limited

They led from start to finish, broke the winning score record and are only the fifth combination to win after being in the lead following the cross-country phase – there’s no stopping Laura Collett and London 52

As the final phase of Badminton Horse Trials got underway, Laura Collett and London 52 were sitting comfortably at the top of the leader board on their record-breaking dressage score of 21.0. But, as the morning showjumping session finished with only one clear round inside the time, it was set to be an exciting spectacle when the top 20 took to the ring.

Stories from the showjumping

As the afternoon session progressed, the course was still causing plenty of upset and was proving to be a true test of partnership between horse and rider. With just 14 combinations left to jump, Tamra Smith of USA was the second rider of the day to go clear inside the time with her horse, Mai Baum.

Oliver Townend had a new record in sight as he headed into the ring with Ballaghmor Class – could he be the first horse ever to win the Grand Slam of Eventing? Sitting in third position overnight, Oliver had a huge amount of pressure to jump clear, and their round was looking effortlessly classy, but it wasn’t meant to be. The plank that had caught so many other combinations out struck again, and they finished on a score of 30.3. Things were looking positive for Oliver when he later took to the ring with his second ride, Swallow Springs, but the testing track got the better of them and they had a pole which meant they finished on a score of 29.7, which put them into eventual third place.

Despite having one unlucky pole, Piggy March and her pocket rocket mare, Vanir Kamira, managed to move up a spot on the leader board. With two horses in the top six, Ros Canter had high hopes, but her first ride, Allstar B, was looking weary and as a result had three fences down. Her second ride, however, Lordships Graffalo, proved his worth at the young age of 10 and Ros rode a beautiful round to stay on her score of 26.0.

The tension was still building as Laura Collett and London 52 entered the arena. But the question still remained – could she add another win to her exceptional record and become the fifth rider to win Badminton after sitting at the top of the leader board after cross-country day? She had a fence in-hand and a very fine margin of time to play with, but she needn’t have worried as London 52 was, yet again, on incredible form. Albeit just outside of the time, this Olympic gold medal winning combination jumped an effortless clear that kept them way out in the lead to secure the title.

One to remember

Today saw Laura achieve a childhood dream she’d held since she was just three years old watching Pippa Funnell and Supreme Rock win Badminton. Today, with London 52, really brought home what a fantastic couple of years she’s had after securing her first 5* win at Pau in October 2020, followed by Olympic selection in 2021, and now she’s finished Badminton Horse Trials 2022 on a record-breaking score of 21.4 – the lowest ever result at this event. Another sensational achievement to add to her ever-growing record.

“She’s on such a roll,” said Tina Cook, speaking in an interview with the BBC after Laura’s round. “She had all the pressure on but she really nailed it today.”

“I have no words,” said Laura. “He is just a superstar, I’m so lucky.”

Final results

1. Laura Collett and London 52 on 21.4
2. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo on 26.0
3. Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs on 29.7
4. Piggy March and Vanir Kamira on 30.1
5. Oliver Townend and Ballaghnmor Class on 30.3
6. David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed on 33.6
7. Kitty King an d Vendredi Biats on 34.0
8. Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue on 36.3
9. Tamra Smith and Mai Baum on 36.5
10. Richard Jones and Alfies Clover on 38.4