Hi lovely,
Badminton has just finished for another year…
which I always think marks the official start of the horsey summer season.
In fact, I’m fairly sure my first sunburn and my first Pimms of the year usually happen at Badminton itself.
And, as always, it didn’t disappoint.
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo have just made history by becoming the first horse-and-rider combination ever to win Badminton three times.
Which honestly feels extraordinary when you stop and think about what it takes!
(Remember our webinar ‘What does it take to ride around Badminton?‘ with the late Caroline Moore is completely free to watch)
And perhaps part of why I enjoy watching them so much is because they feel strangely familiar to me.
I studied at Writtle University College and spent time at Lordships Stud, where Walter was bred, so seeing this extraordinary partnership go from “promising young horse” to genuine legend has been really special.
But beyond the results…
what strikes me most about Ros, both in our interview with her and hearing her speak live at the Horses Inside Out Conference, is her approach, which I think aligns beautifully with Intelligent Horsemanship itself.
There’s such calmness, confidence and understanding in her riding and training.
One of the things that really struck me was how Ros described training each horse almost like teaching children in a classroom… understanding that everyone learns differently, and shaping the training around the individual in front of you.
And honestly, I think that speaks volumes.
Because there is no magic programme.
No “one size fits all” system.
Even at the very top of the sport.
And actually, Ros says something very similar in our interview when she talks about how: “all horses are different, and it’s the rider that often has to adjust their style to suit a horse.”
Every horse needs to be listened to as an individual, and the training adapted to work for them – just as we try to do here at IH.
That really resonated with me.
Walter is obviously phenomenally talented… but he also looks like a horse who genuinely understands, trusts and enjoys his job.
And I think that matters.
What’s also fascinating is that Ros herself has openly admitted she isn’t naturally a huge fan of flat-out galloping and needs a horse underneath her that makes her feel secure and confident.
Which somehow makes her achievements even more impressive… because I think we sometimes assume riders at this level simply have no fear.
But there’s a huge difference between being fearless and learning how to manage fear well.
And honestly, watching Ros round a cross-country course, you’d never know it.
Especially when you consider she’s only recently returned to top-level competition after having another baby… and has somehow come back and casually made history.
Which perhaps says quite a lot about what consistency, systems, support and sheer dedication can do over time.
And all of that tied in beautifully with something Lucinda Green said in our interview and webinar with Kelly that has stayed with me ever since:
“You can’t pluck confidence out of the air. You have to develop it.”
Honestly… I think that might be one of the wisest things ever said about horses and humans.
Lucinda also said:
“Your judgement grows, you know when to ask a question of a horse.”
And when you watch riders like Ros Canter, you can really see that judgement in action.
And for those of us perhaps not aiming to jump round Badminton anytime soon… I still think this applies massively.
One of the biggest things that changed for me during my IH training was confidence and judgement around horses, and it completely changed how I work and how horses responded to me.
Then there’s the inspiration that was the late Caroline Moore.
And I don’t think it’s possible to talk about Ros’s success without talking about Caroline too.
Because Caroline’s influence lives on through riding combinations like Ros and Walter.
One of Caroline’s quotes from our interview and webinar that really stayed with me was:
“You can take any horse and develop it into an athlete”, and… “It’s all about the training.”
Simple really… but incredibly powerful.
- No shortcuts to success.
- No excuses for not trying.
Just thoughtful, consistent training done well, over time.
And honestly, I think there’s something all of us can take from that this summer.
Whether your goals involve eventing or something a little simpler…
the principles are often the same.
- Have a plan.
- Stay consistent.
- Keep learning.
That’s usually the way of champions.
And in our own way, we can all do a bit of that!
So if following Badminton, you too feel it’s the perfect moment to revisit some of our inspirational interviews and webinars with some exceptional horse people, IH Members these are genuinely worth your time to read & watch:
