Ros Canter and ‘ultimate event horse’ storm to victory at Badminton Horse Trials 2023

Photo credit: Badminton Horse Trials

Winning with 15 penalties in hand, Ros Canter secures her first Badminton title with the young Lordships Graffalo

The Great British weather certainly played its part but, once again, Badminton Horse Trials did not disappoint. Cross-country day was nothing short of dramatic – Eric Winter’s course put the world’s best eventers to the test and left less than half of the field still in the game going into the final phase.

Despite adding 11.6 time penalties to his dressage score, Austin O’Connor had the fastest round of the day which meant he climbed from (=)34^th place after the dressage to sit in second going into the showjumping. But Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo were on top form throughout the event and had two fences in hand as the third and final phase began.

After the morning showjumping session failed to see a clear round, it was set to be a tense afternoon. Poles fell and time faults racked up for a number of combinations, including Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class, but the pressure was still on for Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue. Austin rode every stride with pure determination and Colorado Blue tried his heart out, jumping clear until the double before the final fence caught him out meaning they dropped down into third, behind Oliver.

This meant that Ros Canter now had over four fences in hand as her round began. Her second ride of the day, Lordships Graffalo was full of life after a challenging cross-country round and cruised around the course effortlessly, showing his incredible talent and scope. Ros understandably took her time around the course and picked up a mere 1.6 time penalties, which made little dent in the difference between her and Oliver’s scores.

Finishing on a score of 35.3, Ros finally secured her first Badminton win after being on the podium twice before – coming third in 2018 with Allstar B and second in 2022 with Lordships Graffalo.

“People say it’s fulfilling a dream, but I don’t know if I even dreamt I could do it,” said Ros. “It will take a long time to sink in.”

Securing the win by such a huge margin is no mean feat and Ros couldn’t have done it without her ‘ultimate event horse’.

“It’s what he lives and breathes for. He’s a busy little character when he’s not being ridden, so this job fits him perfectly.”

Eleven-year-old Lordships Graffalo is proving to be an exciting horse for the future and with Paris 2024 just around the corner, there’s no better time to be achieving a top-class win.

Final results:

1. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo – 35.5
2. Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class – 50.3
3. Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue – 51.9
4. Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser – 54.5
5. Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift – 58.4
6. Gemma Stevens and Jalapeno – 60.1
7. Tim Price and Vitali – 63.1
8. Bubby Upton and Cola – 64.2
9. Ros Canter and Pencos Crown Jewel – 64.6
10. Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope – 66.2