Olympic champions lead strong British contingent for 2022 Badminton Horse Trials

Olympic gold medallists Laura Collett, Oliver Townend and Tom McEwen will spearhead a strong British challenge when the Badminton Horse Trials return after a three-year absence.

Eventing’s flagship five-star competition carries a £100,000 top prize, with the starting line-up featuring five past Badminton winners.

Shropshire-based world number one Townend, champion 13 years ago and three times a Badminton runner-up, will be aboard his Tokyo Games ride Ballaghmor Class and a second entry in Swallow Springs.

Collett and McEwen, meanwhile, also parade their respective Olympic horses London 52 and Toledo De Kerser across four days of dressage, cross-country and showjumping in South Gloucestershire that begin on Thursday.

The trio won a first eventing team gold for Britain since 1972 by producing a dominant display nine months ago.

And they will again be centre of attention at an event that last ran in 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic and is expected to attract an overall attendance of 150,000-plus.

“It was a bit crazy after Tokyo, and we got to attend some really nice parties in the winter, but we are back to reality, really,” Collett told the PA news agency.

For me, the Olympics showed that things can go right, and when they do, it is special- British eventer Laura Collett

“For me, the Olympics showed that things can go right, and when they do, it is special. I have always believed in the horse, and it was great that he got the chance to prove that he is as good as I always thought he was.

“He has come out really well this season and feels like he has started from where he left off.

“It’s his first Badminton. It is so different to any other event – the crowds on cross-country day are like nowhere else, really – so