British Eventing Show IWD Special: Season Plans, BE Prepared & The Road to 2026
Release Date: 03/06/2026
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
Diarmuid Byrne, Annie Bishop, and Spike the Vet live on Friday night, as dressage wraps up and the leaderboard looks wide open going into cross-country day. With no dominant force in the field, up to 12 combinations could still win - from the leading Kiwis to Tom McEwen and the strength in depth just behind. They break down a more intense cross-country track, a tighter time, and why the winning score could land around 30 - setting up a Sunday where everything could change. Check out the Defender Kentucky Fan Guide: Highlights Friday Night Lights: live from Kentucky Why this is one of the...
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Defender Kentucky might be one of the most iconic stops in the sport, but this year’s five-star feels wide open. Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop, with Spike the Vet calling in from Heathrow on his way to Kentucky, to preview a field with only one previous winner, leaving the door open for there for someone new to step up. From Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality at the top of the market, to Boyd Martin and Commando 3 leading the US charge, to Will Coleman’s Diabolo bringing one of the most exciting profiles in the field, this is a line-up full of depth and...
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Eventing Manager meets Kentucky… and yes, you will change your team at least three times. This one kicks off with a live call to Will Coleman, straight from the build-up, giving a quick insight into Diabolo ahead of his five-star debut, before things quickly spiral into team picks, swaps, and second guesses. From squeezing big names into the budget to convincing yourself your value pick is about to have the week of its life, this is exactly what playing Eventing Manager looks like at a five-star. You’ll have a plan. You’ll ignore it. You’ll build a new one. And then you’ll watch it...
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Kentucky week is here, and this Inside Kentucky show brings you straight into the final stages of preparation. Nicole Brown is joined by world number one Harry Meade and world number two Boyd Martin, two of the leading contenders heading into this year’s five-star. With multiple horses between them, the conversation goes inside the decisions, the systems, and the reality of getting to the start line. From differing preparation strategies to managing pressure, building confidence, and delivering when it matters, this is a look at five-star eventing from the very top. Plus, they look ahead to...
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Badminton is getting close, and on this week’s British Eventing Showin partnership with , the focus turns to preparation. Nicole Brown is joined by Simon Grieve and Megan Elphick for a look at what the final weeks really involve, from five-star systems to grassroots goals, and everything in between. Simon heads back to Badminton with Autograph, four completions behind him and a completely different mindset to previous years. Megan returns with two rides at the grassroots, balancing the pressure of riding for an owner with a new level of confidence in her own system. From stable yard...
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Burnham Market has become Oliver Townend territory. A remarkable record here, a system that works, and Cooley Rosalent back again - it’s a combination that’s hard to look past. But it’s never that simple here. This is a track that consistently produces top-level performances, and when horses run well at Burnham Market, it usually stands up against anything else in the calendar. Add in Banzai du Loir, an in-form Gemma Stevens yard, and the usual pre-Badminton question of who actually runs and how hard… and there’s a bit more to it than it first looks. Highlights Oliver Townend’s...
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Rider fitness is something we all know matters, but it’s often the first thing to fall down the list. In this episode, Cameron is joined by Katie Bleekman to break down what rider fitness actually looks like, from strength and mobility to nutrition, recovery, and the habits that make it stick. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things, consistently, and understanding how it all feeds into your riding. As always, Cameron wraps up the episode with the #GrassrootsChallenge - listen to the end, try it, post it, and tag your efforts using #GrassrootsChallenge....
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Andy Heffernan didn’t grow up in horses, and he didn’t have an obvious path into the sport. What started with a riding school in England quickly turned into something more, and from there he built a career the hard way, riding whatever horses he could, learning on the job, and figuring out how to make it work. That journey has taken him to the Olympics, into coaching the Dutch team, and now into course design at some of the biggest events in the world. In this episode, he reflects on building a business, balancing multiple roles at the top of the sport, and what it takes to keep...
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The overview show is back, and this time it’s all about the big picture. Which nation is actually in the strongest position heading towards Aachen 2026? We talk about it all the time, but this is putting numbers behind it. Strength, depth, and what the data is really saying at the top of the sport. While there’s a lot of movement across the board, one thing is clear. Great Britain isn’t going anywhere. The depth is still there, the results are still coming, and they remain the toughest team to beat. New Zealand bouncing back, Japan showing what’s possible, and a number of...
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Thoresby is done and dusted, and it delivered. A big win, a few messy moments, and a proper reminder that even the best riders have to fight for it. Gemma Stevens did exactly that, bouncing back from a tough start to take the Grantham Cup with Cooley Park Muse. Elsewhere, the form is starting to show. Tom Jackson looks full of confidence, and Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo had the kind of run that just ticks the box. It wasn’t straightforward. The cross country asked questions, there were a few issues, and plenty to take away heading into the next few weeks. Highlights Gemma Stevens...
info_outlineInternational Women’s Day lands right as the season comes back into view, and this British Eventing Show opener, in partnership with Zebra Products, feels like the perfect moment to celebrate what makes the sport so special.
Nicole Brown is joined by British Eventing CEO Rosie Williams, five-star winner Gemma Stevens, and Belsay organiser Laura de Wesselow, for a behind the scenes look at how British Eventing sets competitors, organisers, and officials up for the year ahead. From the energy building towards opening day, to Belsay stepping up as a full four-star fixture, to British Eventing’s BE Prepared campaign, this episode looks at the people, preparation, and collaboration that help the sport move forward.
Plus, Gemma goes “In the Zone” with Zebra Products and shares three simple, practical ways to set yourself and your horse up for a strong start.
Highlights
- International Women’s Day special with three standout voices across the sport
- How British Eventing is building for the future with collaboration across the sport
- BE Prepared, a practical new resource designed to help everyone feel ready for the season
- Belsay’s four-star step up, what’s new for 2026, and the focus on the visitor experience
- Gemma’s season planning approach, and why flexibility matters as the year unfolds
- Listener Qs, plus quick fire World Champs picks to finish
Guests
- Rosie Williams, CEO, British Eventing
- Gemma Stevens, five star winner
- Laura de Wesselow, Belsay organiser
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Zebra Products. Zebra Products are proud to distribute some of the world’s leading equestrian brands across the UK, partnering with companies that prioritise performance, innovation and horse welfare. Their portfolio includes premium saddle makers Amerigo and Equipe, anatomical bridle specialists Menetics, bit experts Nathe and Sprenger, performance apparel brands EGO7, Cavalleria Toscana and RG, alongside trusted names in protection, nutrition and care including Veredus, Cavalor, Bucas, Mattes and Uvex, supporting horse and rider at every level of the sport.
Find out more at: www.zebraproducts.co.uk
Learn more about the Veredus E-VENTO cross-country boots, designed for lightweight protection and ventilation:
https://www.veredus.com/jumping-eventing?lang=en_US
Explore the Sprenger equestrian range, known for innovative bit design and precision engineering:
https://www.sprenger.de/en/collections/equestrian
Inspired to get more involved? Find out how you can support training, education and the eventing community:
👉 British Eventing Training Foundation
👉 Volunteer with British Eventing
Follow @britisheventing on Instagram to stay up to date with all the action.