Dressage lead in Badminton for Rosalind Canter and Lordships Graffalo

2026 will be the fourth Badminton start for Rosalind Canter’s 14-year-old British Grafenstolz son Lordships Graffalo. He came second the first time (2022). After that, he won twice in a row, in 2023 and 2025. Twice, in 2022 and 2025, he finished with his dressage result.

29 international starts, 18 at 4* level, five at 5* level – in his entire career, “Walter” has never had an obstacle fault apart from a missed flag at the 2024 Olympic Games (where the British team still won gold). Statistically speaking, the chances of the pair making badminton history again in 2026 are therefore very good. They already did it the first time, when they were the first pair to win Badminton twice and Burghley twice.

Walter could now be the first horse to lead the lap of honor in Badminton three times. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo laid the foundation today in the dressage, where they took the lead by 4.4 points. The pair received 23.7 penalty points for their performance. The US duo Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl, who were the best pair yesterday, are now second with their 28.1 minus points.

To the outside world, Ros Canter always looks super cool. Child’s play she says – “Anyone who rides Walter would feel safe.” Even if you’ve just given birth. Although she admits: “It’s been a funny few weeks, so soon after my baby was born. My focus has now completely shifted. So I’ve had to work hard on myself to make sure I have the right mental attitude. This morning I might have been a little stressed. So I had to talk myself into it and pull back a bit.” Apparently it worked.

Further placements

In third place were the 2024 Luhmühlen winners Lara de Liederkerke-Meier and her home-bred gray mare Hooney d’Arville. 28.6 minus points meant a new five-star personal best for the pair. Hot on their heels with 28.7 minus points are last year’s Maryland winners, Anna-Lena Schaaf’s new boss Felix Vogg (SUI) and Cartania.

The only German starting pair, Arne Bergendahl and Luthien NRW, are now in 49th place after their dressage yesterday, 15.1 points behind the leaders with 38.8 minus points.

Start times in the field

The cross-country starts tomorrow at 11.30 am. World number one Harry Meade (GBR) will start with Et Hop du Matz. Arne Bergendahl and Lucy will start at 13.35 hrs – two slots after Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl at 13.25 hrs.

Ros Canter and Walter have to prove themselves from 2.17 pm. Things get serious for Lara de Liederkerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville at 3.10 pm. Felix Vogg and Cartania will start immediately afterwards, five minutes apart.

All start and result lists can be found here.