EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Over 100 horses, the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Final and one of the most competitive four-star longs of the year. It's Boekelo time.
Nicole is joined by Catherine Austen and Ali Barrett to look through a huge field, pick out the combinations that could make their mark and, of course, build their Eventing Manager teams.
Gemma Stevens and Cooley Park Muze head up the conversation after a brilliant season, while Zara Tindall, Katie Magee, Tom McEwen, Kitty King and plenty more give the British challenge serious depth. There are exciting young horses from across Europe, a strong US contingent and a few combinations flying firmly under the radar.
Plus, could Tom McEwen make a little bit of history? And who are Nicole, Catherine and Ali backing for the podium?
Highlights
The leading contenders in a field of more than 100 combinations
Gemma Stevens and Cooley Park Muze's chances at Boekelo
Tom McEwen's opportunity to add another major win to an extraordinary season
The Nations Cup Final and the teams to watch
Exciting combinations from Britain, Ireland, France, Germany and the USA
Eventing Manager picks, bargains and dark horses
Nicole, Catherine and Ali make their podium predictions
Get your Eventing Manager team locked in at manager.equiratings.com and play along throughout Boekelo.
Eventing Manager is powered by EquiRatings Horse Sourcing.

Jess Rimmer didn't always want to be an event rider. In fact, as a child, she'd have chosen her Barbie Dream House over a muddy yard any day.
Fast forward to Blenheim, and Jess has just jumped double clear with The Spice Merchant as part of the Rising Lions. Nicole catches up with her while the smile is still firmly on her face to talk about the journey from reluctant pony rider to one of Britain's rising eventing talents.
From studying biochemistry while competing a string of horses to finding her place at William Fox-Pitt's yard, Jess shares the people, horses and opportunities that have shaped her career so far. There's plenty about Basil, the horse who keeps saying yes, and the ambitions Jess is working towards.
Highlights
The pony that changed Jess's mind about riding.
Growing up with a five-star event rider for a mum and the support that came without pressure.
Balancing a biochemistry degree with competing seven or eight horses.
Learning from William Fox-Pitt and Jackie Potts.
Why you don't have to follow the traditional youth team pathway to succeed.
The £1 pony who helped Jess reach the Young Rider Championships.
How The Spice Merchant, better known as Basil, became her four-star partner.
What representing Great Britain and riding for the Rising Lions means to Jess.
Her ambitions for five-star success and the two horses she thinks could help her get there.
Guest
Jess Rimmer – British event rider and Rising Lions team member, joining Nicole fresh from a double clear at Blenheim with The Spice Merchant.
This episode is brought to you by Littlemax, part of the Bedmax family. Their dust-extracted pine shavings are designed to provide a clean, comfortable bed for horses and ponies.
Discover more and find your nearest stockist at bedmaxshavings.com/littlemax.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more from across the sport.

Two four-star titles, one rider and a pair of horses with exciting futures ahead. Blenheim belonged to Tom McEwen.
Nicole Brown and Catherine Austen are back to review the action from Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, where Tom McEwen completed a remarkable double with The Fieldmaster in the CCI4*-L and Brookfield Danny De Muze in the CCI4*-S for eight- and nine-year-olds.
From The Fieldmaster's hunting background and rapid rise through the levels to Brookfield Danny De Muze adding another major young horse title to his record, there is plenty to discuss about two very different horses and what might come next.
Highlights
Tom McEwen's Blenheim double and the strength of his team across both divisions.
The Fieldmaster's journey from the hunting field to a CCI4*-L victory.
Brookfield Danny De Muze's remarkable record and his progression from Le Lion d'Angers to Blenheim.
Sam Ecroyd's standout weekend with Jackpot and Bloomfield Manuscript.
Oliver Townend's cross-country performance.
Katie Magee, Bubby Upton and the young horses making their mark in the eight- and nine-year-old class.
Why Blenheim's young horse results are worth revisiting when looking for future five-star stars.
Plus, Nicole and Catherine share their personal connections to Blenheim, reflect on the atmosphere at this year's event and look ahead to Boekelo.
Guest
Catherine Austen – Equestrian journalist and former Blenheim press officer, joining Nicole to review the weekend's sport and the stories behind the results.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Connolly's RED MILLS, proud supporters of our Blenheim preview and review shows. Discover their range of equine feeds and nutrition solutions at redmillshorse.com .
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast  for more previews, reviews and analysis from across the sport.

Fresh from a CCI4*-L win at Scone Palace, Piggy March joins Nicole Brown to reflect on a season of ups and downs, a special victory with Truly Anything, and a big new chapter on the horizon for Team March.
Piggy shares the story of bringing Truly Anything back into her string after his time with Harry Meade, the emotions behind their Scone win, and why sometimes getting the job done means adapting your riding to the horse in front of you.
With a yard move on the horizon and a coaching trip with Team Hong Kong ahead, there's plenty to catch up on!
Highlights
The story behind Piggy and Truly Anything's CCI4*-L victory at Scone.
Why not every horse needs to fit the textbook picture.
The emotions, pressure and people behind a special win.
A new yard, new opportunities and what could be next for Team March.
Why good stable management starts with understanding your horse's environment.
Guest
Piggy March is one of Britain's leading event riders, a Badminton and Burghley winner, and a Bedmax Education Ambassador.
Back to School with Bedmax
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Bedmax, who are inviting horse owners to brush up on their stable management knowledge with their Back to School with Bedmax campaign.
From ventilation and air quality to bedding choices and stable hygiene, small changes can make a big difference to your horse's comfort and wellbeing.
Read their educational article and take the short 10-question quiz to receive a free gift and be entered into a prize draw, where four lucky winners will each receive 10 bales of their preferred Bedmax bedding.
Back to School with Bedmax: Horse Health and Hygiene in the Stable Environment
Take the Back to School with Bedmax Quiz
Free gifts available while stocks last. Prize draw terms and conditions apply.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and follow the Eventing Podcast for more conversations from across the sport.

The first-ever Blenheim Challenge is in the books, and the Stars & Stripes have plenty to celebrate!
Nicole, Diarmuid and Annie are back to unpack a weekend that saw the Stars & Stripes defeat the Rising Lions 12.5–4, with head-to-head battles, Joker tactics and £50,000 in prize money bringing a whole new dimension to Blenheim.
From Oliver Barrett's brilliant week with Sandhills Briar to the pressure of jumping for £5,000 on the final day, the team reflects on the performances, personalities and moments that made the inaugural Challenge such a success.
Highlights
How the Stars & Stripes secured their Blenheim Challenge victory.
Oliver Barrett's career-best dressage and top-10 finish.
The £5,000 show jumping head-to-heads and the pressure of delivering a clear.
The young horses and riders who caught the team's attention.
Jess Rimmer's Team Spirit Award and what the Challenge meant beyond the scoreboard.
Why the team format, prize money and involvement of the grooms made this weekend feel different.
Plus, Nicole shares a few stories from behind the scenes, including Philip Dutton's Joker discussions, Tom McEwen's involvement with the Rising Lions and the live draws that kept everyone guessing.
Was this the start of something special for eventing?
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more from across the sport.