NZ's Caroline Powell wins prestigious Badminton horse trials

NZ equestrian Caroline Powell rides Greenacres Special Cavalier during the Cross Country - Badminton Horse Trials 2024. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography Photo: Libby Law

Caroline Powell jumped her way to victory at the Badminton Horse Trials in England, becoming just the second New Zealand woman to win the prestigious event.

Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier crept steadily up the leaderboard from sixth place after the cross-country phase.

They then produced a clear showjumping round and it proved enough as plenty of rivals knocked over rails.

Powell is the fifth New Zealander to win the event, following in the footsteps of four-time Badminton champion Mark Todd, Jock Paget, Andrew Nicholson and Jonelle Price.

Powell told RNZ's Morning Report she knew the showjumping round was going to be tricky.

"But Cavs [Cavalier] was absolutely amazing in the showjumping. She's only 11 years old so she's a true professional and she jumped very very well. She's just always been a bit special in her own way and today she proved that she's extremely special," Powell said.

Powell, who won Burghley in 2010 on Lenamore, was not expecting the result at all.

"I thought third place would be great, but to win - wow. It's awesome and it means so much - I'm not in my youth and just to get a horse to this stage is difficult enough, but to win - I can't believe it.

"We came in to the week sort of hoping that we were going to jump a double clearance and have a good week but to win has been a major added bonus ...very exciting."

Ireland equestrian Lucy Latta finished second on RCA Patron Saint and British rider Alex Bragg climbed from 60th place after dressage to finish third on Quindiva.

Fellow New Zealand rider Tim Price held a slim lead after the cross-country but had a nightmare show jumping round, dropping to eighth. His horse Vitali is a notoriously poor showjumper.

Jonelle Price, the first New Zealand woman to win Badminton, in 2018, finished sixth on Grappa Nera.

Powell first came to Britain as a groom for triple Badminton winner Ian Stark. She won Burghley in 2010 on Lenamore and won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

Greenacres Special Cavalier is an Irish-bred, 11-year-old mare by Cavalier Royale, bred in Ireland by Michael Callery.

Powell first sat on her as a youngster - "You can have a good horse [Lenamore] and then you can disappear. "Cav" has had her tricky moments, but to be here, winning Badminton, is a dream come true."