Title: "Ros Canter Triumphs at the 2025 Badminton Horse Trials: A Celebration of Equestrian Excellence"
The sun shone (mostly) for the 2025 Mars Badminton Horse Trials and the crowds were out in force to cheer on the world’s greats from the equestrian sport of eventing.
Badminton Horse Trials is the world’s greatest three-day event and is the pinnacle of the eventing calendar. It is one of just seven five-star horse trials (eventing’s highest level) across the world – and it’s the one everyone wants to win. If you are victorious here, you go down in the sport’s history books.
There are three parts to the three-day event. On the first day the horse and rider have to perform a dressage test, which tests the horse’s pace, obedience and suppleness (think ballet on horseback). The exciting cross-country course takes place on the second day where horse and rider bravely tackle large jumps, including the infamous lake and Vicarage V, at speed across the stunning Badminton Park.
Oliver Townend in action on cross-country day at Badminton 2025. Then on the final day, the horse’s fitness is tested over a show jumping course in the main arena. Unlike the cross-country jumps, these jumps are brightly painted and can fall down easily.
Penalties are added for every mistake occurring in all three phases and the winner is the horse and rider with the lowest score. This year Rosalind (Ros) Canter riding Lordships Graffalo was victorious, after beating the overnight leader Oliver Townend on Cooley Rosalent on the nail-biting final day.
Top rider Tina Cook walking the 2025 cross country course and explaining how the riders will need to tackle these terrifying fences.
Badminton Horse Trials 2025 in pictures: Tom McEwen and JL Dublin showing the elegance and precision required on dressage day. Harry Meade on Cavalier Chrystal jumping in front of the stunning Badminton House, the home of the Duke of Beaufort. The expectant crowds at the lake – all secretly hoping for some drama – watch and cheer Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent jump clear. Ros Canter sits tight as Lordships Graffalo leaps into the water. Ros Canter jumping her way to victory in the showjumping phase.
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo enjoying their lap of honour after being crowned Badminton Horse Trials 2025 champions. Watch Ros Canter’s final round… the tension is palpable.
