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.

What a week at Mars Badminton Horse Trials.

As the dust settles on another extraordinary Badminton, Nicole Brown is joined by Catherine Austen, with Spike Milligan dropping in, to reflect on the performances, the pressure, and the moments that defined the week.

From Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo delivering one of the great five-star performances, to standout weekends for Tim Price, Harry Meade, Tom Jackson, Sarah Bullimore, and more, this is the final look back on a week that had everything.

Highlights

• Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo's third Badminton title
• Tim Price, Harry Meade, and Tom Jackson on huge form
• Sarah Bullimore, Katie Magee, and the rising stars of the week
• The emotional moments, the near misses, and what comes next

Guests

• Nicole Brown
• Catherine Austen
• Spike Milligan

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

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.

Nicole and Diarm preview the biggest day of the week before being joined by British Performance Manager Dickie Waygood for one of the most insightful conversations of the week. From Ros Canter's record-breaking dressage lead to what separates great cross-country riders from good ones, Dickie breaks down the art of riding Badminton.

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.

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

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.

In a special live edition of the podfrom the Ramsbury Gin Pavilion, Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne and Sam Watson to break down what a 23.7 from Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo really means, and whether we could be watching history in the making.

Then two five-star winners join the stage. Gemma Stevens and Laura Collett talk nerves, routines, start box moments, and what really goes through your mind the night before Badminton cross-country.

Highlights

• Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo head into Saturday on a record 23.7
• Nicole Brown, Diarmuid Byrne, and Sam Watson break down the numbers behind the week so far
• Gemma Stevens and Laura Collett on nerves, routines, and what makes a true Badminton horse
• Rider reactions to Eric Winter's cross-country track
• Live crowd questions, plenty of laughs, and a few predictions before the biggest day of the week

Guests

• Nicole Brown
• Diarmuid Byrne
• Sam Watson
• Gemma Stevens
• Laura Collett

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.

On Day 2 of the Tour Diaries, we catch up with riders and familiar faces around the park as the first centre lines are ridden. Tom Jackson talks pressure, preparation, and why Badminton still gives him goosebumps. Lucy Jackson joins us ringside with her take on the first day of dressage, the judging, and what Eric Winter's track could bring later in the week. Bubby Upton opens up on the emotional reality of returning for a fifth Badminton with Cola.

Away from the interviews, Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl set the early standard on 28.1, with Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy continuing their rise on 29.3. With just three combinations breaking the 30 mark on day one, and some of the biggest names in the sport still to come, the leaderboard is only just starting to take shape.

Highlights

• Tom Jackson on pressure, preparation, and the magic of Badminton
• Lucy Jackson breaks down the opening dressage, standout tests, and the leaderboard
• Bubby Upton reflects on five Badmintons with Cola
• Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl lead overnight on 28.1, with Will Rawlin closing fast
• Plenty still to come, including Ros Canter, Sam Watson, and Tim Price on Friday

Guests

• Tom Jackson
• Lucy Jackson
• Bubby Upton

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.