Samantha Cesnik and her horse Graftango recently participated in the MARS Badminton Horse Trials, achieving an impressive equal 25th place with a score of 36.2. Their preparation included a winter training stint in St. Tropez, where Graftango, a 14-year-old mare, was acclimatized under the guidance of dressage coach Brianna Burgess. This training helped them avoid the harsh British winter and allowed for a more effective preparation, culminating in a successful dressage test at Badminton.

Samantha, who has a background in high-level dressage, acquired Graftango with the intention of competing in CCI3*-Ls. Despite the mare’s tricky nature and previous challenges in finding a suitable rider, their bond has grown strong, and they have made significant progress together. Samantha expressed pride in Graftango’s performance, especially given the challenges of competing in front of large crowds, which is a new experience for both of them.

Training at Chris Burton’s former yard in Dorset has provided a conducive environment for their development, with support from fellow Australian Sam Griffiths and British coach Nicola Wilson. Samantha is optimistic about their future, noting Graftango’s determination and potential as they continue to compete at higher levels in eventing.