ROS Canter and Lordships Graffalo are no strangers to making history. Having become the first combination to do eventing’s ‘double double’, winning both Badminton and Burghley twice, next week they are bidding to do what has never been done before, and win at Badminton for the third time.

The CCI5* MARS Badminton Horse Trials return to the Gloucestershire estate from May 6th-10th, and last year’s victors Canter and Graffalo are the firm favourites.

Canter’s nearest rivals could well be Oliver Townend and the Irish Sport Horse Cooley Rosalent, who were runners-up here last year. This pair have already racked up a win at five-star level, having taken the Kentucky title in 2024, and they are capable of bettering Graffalo’s first phase score, which could be enough to give them the edge. Townend also holds the record Badminton dressage score in the modern era of the sport; the 19.7 he was awarded on Cilnabradden Evo in 2019.

There is another combination in the field, who have proven their ability to win at Badminton, however, as the 2024 victors Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier are on the start list. They too are capable of a good dressage score, their personal best at this level being the 25.4 they earned at Burghley, but they are also among the highest-rated show jumpers in the field.

World number one Harry Meade has three entries in Et Hop Du Matz, Annaghmore Valoner and Cavalier Crystal, all of whom have finished in the top 10 on previous five-star appearances, while Frenchman Gaspard Maksud enjoyed the perfect Badminton prep run last weekend when he won the CCI4*-S at Ballindenisk with the highest-rated French horse in the world, Zaragoza.

While Irish favourite, Austin O’Connor’s Colorado Blue, has unfortunately been withdrawn due to a setback in training, O’Connor will still bring last year’s Burghley finisher Sixmilewater to contest this CCI5*.

Lucy Latta is also set to return with RCA Patron Saint, the horse with whom she finished a historic second in 2024, and Georgie Goss will aim to maintain her perfect Badminton completion record with Feloupe.

Sam Watson and Sarah Ennis completed their Badminton preparations at Ballindenisk last weekend, finishing in the top 12 of the 30 starters with Ballyneety Rocketman and Grantstown Jackson respectively, while Padraig McCarthy comes here off the back of his Kentucky debut with Lady Ophelia.

Joseph Murphy will come forward with Belline Fighting Spirit, as will Susie Berry and the horse she completed with last year, Clever Trick.

Action at Badminton will begin next Wednesday afternoon with the first horse inspection, followed by two days of dressage. Competitors will take on the Eric Winter-designed cross-country course on Saturday from 11.30, with the final horse inspection and show jumping test concluding the event on Sunday afternoon.

HM the Queen will attend the event on Friday in her role as Patron of the Ebony Horse Club, Badminton’s chosen charity this year.

The Irish Horse World’s Rachel Dowley will be reporting live from Badminton Horse Trials, so stay tuned to our social channels and website (www.theirishfield.ie) for regular updates.