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, with one of only four clear rounds in the show jumping.
The 51-year-old was overwhelmed when she found out she had won at the event’s 75th anniversary.
“I wasn’t ready for that,” gasped Powell. “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.”
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 has won two team bronze medals for New Zealand, in 2010 and at the 2012 Olympic Games.
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.”
2024-05-12 19:03:12
#NZs #Caroline #Powell #wins #prestigious #Badminton #horse #trials
