EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Badminton is getting close, and on this week's British Eventing Showin partnership with Zebra Products, the focus turns to preparation.
Nicole Brown is joined by Simon Grieve and Megan Elphick for a look at what the final weeks really involve, from five-star systems to grassroots goals, and everything in between.
Simon heads back to Badminton with Autograph, four completions behind him and a completely different mindset to previous years. Megan returns with two rides at the grassroots, balancing the pressure of riding for an owner with a new level of confidence in her own system.
From stable yard routines to course walks, mindset work to managing nerves, this episode looks at the details that shape Badminton week, and what it actually takes to be ready.
Plus, Simon shares his top tips for grassroots riders, while Meg highlights how to make the most of the Badminton experience as a visitor.
Highlights
Simon Grieve's Badminton return and the system behind his preparation
Megan Elphick's two rides and a new approach to pressure and confidence
What Badminton week really looks like, from arrival to cross country day
Mindset, nerves, and the work behind building confidence
Course walks, alternatives, and the importance of having a plan
Top tips for grassroots riders and first-time Badminton visitors
Guests
Simon Grieve — British five-star event rider and co-host of the Shut Up and Ride podcast.
Megan Elphick — Event rider and content creator documenting her journey through the sport, from grassroots to Badminton.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Zebra Products. Zebra Products are proud to distribute some of the world's leading equestrian brands across the UK, partnering with companies that prioritise performance, innovation and horse welfare. Their portfolio includes premium saddle makers Amerigo and Equipe, anatomical bridle specialists Menetics, bit experts Nathe and Sprenger, performance apparel brands EGO7, Cavalleria Toscana and RG, alongside trusted names in protection, nutrition and care including Veredus, Cavalor, Bucas, Mattes and Uvex, supporting horse and rider at every level of the sport.
Find out more at: www.zebraproducts.co.uk
Learn more about the Veredus E-VENTO cross-country boots, designed for lightweight protection and ventilation: https://www.veredus.com/jumping-eventing?lang=en_US
Explore the Sprenger equestrian range, known for innovative bit design and precision engineering: https://www.sprenger.de/en/collections/equestrian
Inspired to get more involved? Find out how you can support training, education and the eventing community: 👉 British Eventing Training Foundation 👉 Volunteer with British Eventing
Follow @britisheventing on Instagram to stay up to date with all the action.

Burnham Market has become Oliver Townend territory.
A remarkable record here, a system that works, and Cooley Rosalent back again - it's a combination that's hard to look past.
But it's never that simple here. This is a track that consistently produces top-level performances, and when horses run well at Burnham Market, it usually stands up against anything else in the calendar.
Add in Banzai du Loir, an in-form Gemma Stevens yard, and the usual pre-Badminton question of who actually runs and how hard… and there's a bit more to it than it first looks.
Highlights
Oliver Townend's record, and why this run works so well for his horses
Cooley Rosalent vs Banzai du Loir at the top of the field
Why Burnham Market consistently produces strong four-star performances
The depth in the field, including Gemma Stevens and a strong supporting cast
Who runs, who doesn't, and what we really learn this close to Badminton
Guests
Catherine Austen, equestrian journalist and eventing analyst.
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:
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Rider fitness is something we all know matters, but it's often the first thing to fall down the list.
In this episode, Cameron is joined by Katie Bleekman to break down what rider fitness actually looks like, from strength and mobility to nutrition, recovery, and the habits that make it stick. It's not about doing more. It's about doing the right things, consistently, and understanding how it all feeds into your riding.
As always, Cameron wraps up the episode with the #GrassrootsChallenge - listen to the end, try it, post it, and tag your efforts using #GrassrootsChallenge.
Highlights
Why riding alone isn't enough to build true fitness
Strength, mobility, and endurance, what riders actually need
The biggest mistakes riders make when starting out
Simple, realistic ways to build fitness into a busy routine
Nutrition, hydration, and why recovery matters just as much as training
Guests
Katie Bleekman, rider and coach specialising in event rider fitness and nutrition
Presented by Foran Equine, part of the Connolly's RED MILLS family.
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.

Andy Heffernan didn't grow up in horses, and he didn't have an obvious path into the sport. What started with a riding school in England quickly turned into something more, and from there he built a career the hard way, riding whatever horses he could, learning on the job, and figuring out how to make it work.
That journey has taken him to the Olympics, into coaching the Dutch team, and now into course design at some of the biggest events in the world.
In this episode, he reflects on building a business, balancing multiple roles at the top of the sport, and what it takes to keep progressing in an ever-changing landscape.
Highlights
A non-horsey start and the path into eventing
Building a career through producing and selling horses
Coaching the Dutch team and preparing for championships
The realities of course design and managing pressure
The future of five-star and the pathway through the sport
Guests
Andy Heffernan - Dutch team coach, Olympic event rider, and international cross-country course designer.
This show is kindly supported by Bedmax, purpose-made, natural horse bedding designed to protect respiratory health, support hooves, and provide a clean, comfortable stable environment.

The overview show is back, and this time it's all about the big picture.
Which nation is actually in the strongest position heading towards Aachen 2026? We talk about it all the time, but this is putting numbers behind it. Strength, depth, and what the data is really saying at the top of the sport. 
While there's a lot of movement across the board, one thing is clear. Great Britain isn't going anywhere. The depth is still there, the results are still coming, and they remain the toughest team to beat. New Zealand bouncing back, Japan showing what's possible, and a number of nations who will feel like there's an opportunity if they can get three good performances on the board when it counts.
Highlights
Breaking down HPR and what it actually tells us about squad depth
Why Great Britain still dominates, and just how far ahead they are
Which nations are trending up, and which ones have work to do
Why championship eventing feels more open than ever
The bigger picture, participation, five-star numbers, and what comes next
Guests
Sam Watson - Irish five-star rider and EquiRatings co-founder bringing a data-led view of performance at the top of the sport
Flair Strips support healthy breathing, reduce airway resistance and help horses perform and recover more comfortably. Learn more or explore the full range at flairstrips.com.
UK listeners can shop Flair Strips via Equine Products UK using the code FLAIRUK10 for a discount.