EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

EquiRatings

The Eventing Podcast squad bring you on a weekly, data-fuelled journey through the world of eventing. Previews, reviews and analysis - all supported by EquiRatings' data.

  1. 13 MAY

    Grassroots Show: Mastering Cross-Country Speed with Sam Watson

    Cross-country speed. Everyone wants it. Very few riders really understand how to build it. On this episode of the Grassroots Podcast, Cameron Beer sits down with Sam Watson to unpack what actually makes riders fast across country, and why speed has far less to do with bravery than most people think. From cruising speed and balance, to transitions, footwork, stamina, and course walking, Sam breaks down the systems, habits, and mindset that helped him become one of the sport's best against the clock. There are stories from Burghley, Badminton, the World Championships, plenty of honest mistakes, and practical takeaways every grassroots rider can use this season. Because getting the time isn't about chasing. It's about understanding. Highlights Sam's five pillars of cross-country speed Why "practice until you don't get it wrong" shaped his riding The biggest mistakes riders make when chasing the clock How to train speed at home, safely and progressively Course walking tricks that save seconds without taking risks Why smooth rounds are often the fastest rounds This week's Grassroots Challenge, Sam's Gear Challenge Guest Sam Watson, Irish Olympian, World medalist, and EquiRatings analyst Presented by Foran Equine, part of the Connolly's RED MILLS family. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.

    1hr 26min
  2. 9 MAY

    2026 Badminton Diaries Day 4: Cross-Country Conversations

    By Saturday night at Mars Badminton Horse Trials, the leaderboard looks different, and so does everyone who's been part of it. On today's Badminton Diaries, we start the day with Simon Middleton from Zebra Products and the team behind Simon Grieve's Autograph, sharing the emotional story of a homebred who has gone all the way to five-star. Then Marcus from Fairfax & Favor reflects on 13 years at Badminton, how far the brand has come, and why some stands become part of the fabric of the week. Out on course, Sarah Bullimore joins us after one of the rounds of the day, a brilliant clear inside the time with the 10-year-old Corimiro. Then, as the sun starts to drop over the lake, Laura Collett, Sam Watson, Georgia Patrick, and Diarmuid sit down to unpack a cross-country day that delivered everything, history, heartbreak, homebreds, and one combination that still looks untouchable. Highlights Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo hold the lead after cross-country Sarah Bullimore and Corimiro deliver one of the rounds of the week The emotional story behind Simon Grieve's Autograph, from foal to five-star Marcus from Fairfax & Favor on 13 years at Badminton Laura Collett and Sam Watson break down the pressure, the partnerships, and the performances that shaped Saturday The movers, the heartbreaks, and who still has it all to play for on Sunday Guests Nicole Brown Diarmuid Byrne Simon Middleton, Zebra Products Marcus from Fairfax & Favor Sarah Bullimore Laura Collett Sam Watson Georgia Patrick 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 EcoVoltz Built for life on the move, from walking cross-country tracks to covering every corner of the showground. ecovoltz.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 US Equestrian Open A new era of championship sport across jumping, dressage, and eventing in the United States. Website: usequestrianopen.org 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.

    1 hr
  3. 9 MAY

    2026 Badminton Diaries Day 4: Eric Winter on Building Badminton

    Before the first horse leaves the start box at Mars Badminton Horse Trials, Nicole Brown sits down with the man behind the questions, Eric Winter. From the lake to the Vicarage Vee, from camera angles to ground conditions, Eric opens up on what really goes into building a Badminton cross-country track, and why obvious doesn't always mean easy. He talks inspiration from places like Luhmühlen International Horse Trials, why he wants riders to bring their very best cross-country horses here, and the balance between education, sport, and entertainment at the highest level. There's also a fascinating look at how the course is wheeled, where seconds are won and lost, and why this year's track might look straightforward... right up until you try to ride it at 570 metres a minute. Highlights Eric Winter on designing Badminton since 2017 Why "obvious" and "easy" are not the same thing The story behind this year's lake complex and Vicarage questions How terrain, footing, and camera angles all shape the final track Why Badminton should reward true cross-country horses Eric on pressure: "Pressure is an honour." Guests Nicole Brown Eric Winter 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. ecovoltz.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: 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.

    19 min
  4. 8 MAY

    2026 Badminton Diaries Day 3: Dressage Done & Dusted

    Dressage is done at Mars Badminton Horse Trials, the leaderboard is set, and now all eyes turn to cross-country. On Friday's Badminton Diaries, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo head into Saturday with the biggest dressage lead at Badminton in modern history, but behind them, it feels as open as ever. We catch up with Austin O'Connor on bringing Sixmilewater back to Badminton, what it takes to build future five-star horses, and why Colorado Blue is still firmly part of the bigger picture. Then Vanessa from Fairfax Saddles takes us behind the scenes, sharing the science, detail, and precision that supports riders like Harry Meade, Tom Jackson, and Bubby Upton at the top of the sport. Later, Sam Watson joins us on cross-country eve to talk mindset, preparation, and why all the homework is already done. Plus, lakeside chats with Ben Way, Matt Heath, and Rosie Meade as Badminton starts to buzz ahead of Saturday. Later, Sam Watson joins us on cross-country eve to talk mindset, preparation, and why all the homework is already done. Plus, lakeside chats with Ben Way, Matt Heath, and Rosie Meade as Badminton starts to buzz ahead of Saturday. We also catch up with Tracy and Alan from EcoVoltz on why their bikes have become part of daily life for riders, grooms, and teams across the sport. Highlights Ros Canter leads on 23.7, the biggest Badminton dressage margin on record Austin O'Connor on Sixmilewater, Colorado Blue, and building future five-star horses Behind the scenes with Fairfax Saddles and the data driving top performance Sam Watson on cross-country eve, pressure, preparation, and enjoying the moment Ben Way and Matt Heath give their honest read on Eric Winter's track Rosie Meade on the team behind getting multiple horses to five-star Tracy and Alan from EcoVoltz on supporting the sport from the ground up Guests Austin O'Connor Vanessa from Fairfax Saddles Sam Watson Ben Way Matt Heath Rosie Meade Tracy and Alan from EcoVoltz 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. ecovoltz.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: 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.

    46 min
5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

The Eventing Podcast squad bring you on a weekly, data-fuelled journey through the world of eventing. Previews, reviews and analysis - all supported by EquiRatings' data.

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