EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Badminton is officially underway, and if day one is anything to go by, this week is going to deliver.
From the buzz of the first horse inspection, to honest post-trot-up debriefs in the car with Sam Watson, behind-the-scenes chats with riders, vets, and some of the sport's biggest names, this first edition of the Badminton Tour Diaries has a bit of everything.
There's a special catch-up with Cassie Sanger on her rise through the five-star ranks, insight into the cross-country from Piggy March and Tina Cook, plus a special live moment with defending champion Ros Canter, balancing life with three-and-a-half-month-old while preparing for another shot at history aboard Lordships Graffalo.
Add in Spike's take on the field, Sam's first impressions of Eric Winter's track, and the usual behind-the-scenes chaos of Badminton week, and we are officially up and running.
Highlights
Sam Watson's first reaction to the Badminton cross-country track
Ros Canter on motherhood, pressure, and Lordships Graffalo's title defence
Cassie Sanger on Kentucky, Burghley, and what comes next
Piggy March and Tina Cook break down the course
Spike the Vet's take on the favourites, dark horses, and the week ahead
Trot-up fashion, sponsor stories, and the authentic chaos of day one
Guests
Sam Watson
Cassie Sanger
Ros Canter
Piggy March
Tina Cook
Spike the Vet
This year's Badminton Diaries are brought to you by:
Fairfax Saddles Scientifically designed saddles, bridles, and girths, built to help horses move freely, comfortably, and at their best. Visit Fairfax Saddles
EcoVolts Built for life on the move, from walking cross-country tracks to covering every corner of the showground. (Website link: ecovolts.co.uk — please use your existing partner link if you have a direct landing page.)
Uvex Trusted by top riders worldwide for premium helmets and gloves, combining protection, comfort, and performance. Explore Uvex Equestrian
Zebra Products Supplying world-class equestrian brands, from performance tack to rider essentials, trusted across every discipline. Visit Zebra Products
U.S. Equestrian Open A new era of championship sport across jumping, dressage, and eventing in the United States. Website: usequestrianopen.org
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:
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👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing for your ultimate Badminton companion.

At Badminton, it's easy to focus on what happens inside the ropes. But some of the biggest stories this week are happening beyond the start box too.
In this special episode of the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast, Nicole and Sam catch up with Laura Collett and Will Rawlin on the Holland Cooper stand, talking Badminton nerves, five-star preparation, dressage expectations, and what it really feels like to arrive at one of the sport's biggest stages.
Plus, Jade Holland Cooper reflects on building a brand that started at Badminton with a tiny stand and has grown into a global luxury business, while staying deeply connected to the sport that helped shape it.
Highlights
Laura Collett on Bling's five-star journey, and why this year feels different
Will Rawlin on arriving at Badminton with real top-10 ambitions
Behind the scenes of Holland Cooper's growing presence at Badminton
Jade Holland Cooper on building a global brand from a two-metre stand
Why sport, style, and storytelling continue to collide at Badminton
Guests
Laura Collett
Will Rawlin
Jade Holland Cooper
Holland Cooper at Badminton
Find Holland Cooper all week at Stand 125, Worcester Way.
Shop online: https://www.hollandcooper.com

Sam Watson sits down with world number three Eventing Manager player Ali Barrett, to build their Badminton teams live, debate the biggest calls in the game, and work through the strategy behind building a five-star team that can actually score.
From whether you still spend big on Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, to doubling up on Harry Meade, finding value with Caroline Powell and High Time, and uncovering the under-the-radar picks that could separate your team from everyone else, this is full of strategy, second guesses, and a few picks Ali maybe shouldn't have shared.

Play Eventing Manager here: https://manager.equiratings.com/
Highlights
Where should your money go now at the top of the market?
Why Ali is doubling up on Harry Meade
Caroline Powell and High Time, the biggest value in the game?
Sam's no-Graffalo strategy
The 1.8 million picks that could change everything
Team structure, risk, and how top-ranked players actually build a five-star team
Guests
Sam Watson — Olympic event rider, analyst, and co-founder of EquiRatings
Ali Barrett — EquiRatings own, and current world number three in Eventing Manager, known for bold picks, value hunting, and sharp five-star strategy
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing for your ultimate Badminton companion.

One of the biggest contenders is out and suddenly this year's Badminton looks very different with the spotlight now firmly on Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne, Sam Watson, and Ali Barrett to react to the late withdrawal of Oliver Townend's Cooley Rosalent.
They dig into what this means for the competition, from Graffalo's win chances to the unpredictability of five-star sport, and why this still isn't a foregone conclusion. From pressure and performance to the reality of flags, pins, and fine margins, the team explore how quickly everything can change... even for the very best.
Guests Nicole Brown, Diarmuid Byrne, Sam Watson, Ali Barrett

A shot at history. A rival ready to challenge it. And one of the deepest Badminton fields in years.
Can Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo become the first horse-and-rider combination to win Badminton three times? Or is this the year Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent go one better after leading Badminton for almost all of last year's competition?
Nicole Brown, Diarmuid Byrne, Sam Watson, Catherine Austen, and special guest Adam Short break down the head-to-head everyone is talking about, the horses building behind them, and the names that could blow this wide open, from Harry Meade to Sarah Bullimore, plus the returning experience of Caroline Powell, Tim Price, and more.
Prediction Centre numbers, Eventing Manager picks, weather watch, dark horses, and the stories that could define the week. Badminton is here.
Highlights
Can Lordships Graffalo make history with a third Badminton title?
Is Cooley Rosalent now ready to finish on her dressage score?
Why Harry Meade could be sitting on two genuine contenders
Sarah Bullimore's rising star Corimiro
Eventing Manager picks and dark horses to watch
The weather forecast and what it could mean for the leaderboard
Guests
Diarmuid Byrne — EquiRatings analyst and co-host
Sam Watson — Olympic event rider, analyst, and co-founder of EquiRatings
Catherine Austen — Eventing journalist and columnist
Adam Short — Top-level groom with years behind the scenes of five-star success, including with Tom McEwen and William Fox-Pitt.




EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing for your ultimate Badminton companion.