EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

The horses are here, the course has been walked and the World Championships are underway in Aachen.
Nicole is joined by owner Pete Cattell from the heart of the action to talk about what it means to have a horse representing Ireland at a championship like this, the strength of the teams lining up and a cross country course that could have a huge say in who leaves Aachen with a medal.
We also get a first look at some of the biggest names of the week, with fischerChipmunk, London 52, Lordships Graffalo and JL Dublin all catching the eye. Nicole catches up with Tilly Hughes and Adam Short, the grooms behind two of the championship favourites, to hear how London 52 and JL Dublin have settled in and what life inside the British camp looks like ahead of the competition.
Plus, Brayden Lissington takes us inside the New Zealand camp as Sam Lissington prepares to compete as an individual with Lord Seekonig, Eventing Manager teams are being locked in and there are plenty of podium predictions flying around.
Highlights
• First impressions of the Aachen cross country course
• Why time could be so influential on Saturday
• The championship favourites looking ready to go
• Inside the British camp with Tilly Hughes and Adam Short
• Pete Cattell on having MGH Zabaione at a World Championship
• Brayden Lissington on Sam and the New Zealand camp
• Team and individual podium predictions
• The race to become Eventing Manager World Champion
Guests
Pete Cattell is a longtime event horse owner whose horses have competed at the highest level of the sport. He is at Aachen with MGH Zabaione, ridden by Pádraig McCarthy for Ireland.
Tilly Hughes is the groom of Laura Collett's London 52.
Adam Short is the groom of Tom McEwen's JL Dublin.
Brayden Lissington joins us from inside the New Zealand camp, where Sam Lissington is competing as an individual with Lord Seekonig.
The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips
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Foran Equine
Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland.
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Carr & Day & Martin
Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care.
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Connolly's RED MILLS
More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance.
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Horseware Ireland
Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years.
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Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

We are live from Aachen and World Championship week has officially begun.
Nicole and Annie are sitting ringside at the first horse inspection, taking in everything that makes Aachen so special. The crowds, the atmosphere, the scale of the venue and a championship field that looks every bit as good in person as it did on paper.
They talk through the team draw and what Great Britain's late position could mean, who might take the individual spots for the major nations and why Tammy Smith and Lilette could be an exciting call for the USA. Plus, first impressions from the trot-up, plans to get out on the cross country course and a little bit of champagne and chocolate along the way.
A quick diary from the heart of Aachen as one seriously exciting week gets underway.
Highlights
• First impressions from Aachen
• Why this championship already feels so special
• The team draw and a late spot for Great Britain
• Who could take the individual spots
• Tammy Smith and Lilette's medal potential
• Live reactions from the first horse inspection
• What Nicole and Annie are looking forward to this week
Guests
Annie Bishop is EquiRatings' US-based eventing analyst and a regular voice on the Eventing Podcast.
The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips
Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to help horses breathe easier during exercise.
Discover FLAIR
Foran Equine
Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland.
Explore Foran Equine
Carr & Day & Martin
Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care.
Explore Carr & Day & Martin
Connolly's RED MILLS
More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance.
Explore RED MILLS
Horseware Ireland
Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years.
Explore Horseware Ireland
Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

World Championship week is here and we are officially ready for Aachen!
Nicole is joined by Sam Watson, Diarm Byrne, Annie Bishop and Spike Milligan to take a proper look at the field and try to work out just how this championship might unfold.
Can Laura Collett and London 52 add a World title to their European crown? Is this the final head-to-head between two championship greats in London 52 and fischerChipmunk? And with Lordships Graffalo, JL Dublin, Diabolo, Falco and plenty more waiting in the wings, who actually comes out on top?
The team also looks at the nations fighting for the medals, what we can expect from Giuseppe Della Chiesa's cross country track and, of course, puts their reputations on the line with their team and individual podium predictions.
Highlights
• The London 52 vs fischerChipmunk rivalry and one final championship showdown
• Who can challenge for individual gold
• How strong are Great Britain and Germany?
• The USA, New Zealand and Ireland's medal chances
• What to expect from the Aachen cross country
• The combinations flying under the radar
• Team and individual podium predictions
Guests
Sam Watson is an Olympian, World Championship team silver medallist and EquiRatings co-founder.
Diarm Byrne - co-founder and CEO of EquiRatings.
Annie Bishop - EquiRatings' US-based eventing analyst and podcast regular.
Spike Milligan - top equine vetrinarian and one of the Eventing Podcast's regular voices.
Our World Championship coverage 
The Championships Diaries is powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips
Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to reduce airway resistance, helping horses breathe easier, conserve energy and recover faster.
Discover FLAIR
Foran Equine
Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland.
Explore Foran Equine
Carr & Day & Martin
Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care.
Explore Carr & Day & Martin
Connolly's RED MILLS
More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with scientifically formulated feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance.
Explore RED MILLS
Horseware Ireland
Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward since the creation of the iconic Rambo Original.
Explore Horseware Ireland
Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Championships Diaries for stories, insight and everything you need from the heart of championship eventing.

Twenty years ago, Zara Tindall and Toytown became World Champions at Aachen. Now, Zara joins Nicole to look back on the week that cemented one of eventing's great partnerships.
From arriving as reigning European Champions to cross country around a very different Aachen and a final show jumping round that didn't exactly go to plan, Zara takes us inside the moments she remembers from 2006 and the horse who always seemed to rise to the biggest occasions.
She also reflects on what Toytown meant to her career, winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year later that year, the riders and athletes who inspired her, and why she thinks Laura Collett and London 52 have every chance of following the same European to World Championship path this year.
Highlights
• Zara and Toytown's road to World Championship gold
• What Aachen was really like back in 2006
• Cross country with a horse who would always find a way through the flags
• The dramatic final show jumping round and missing the bell
• Why Toytown was the horse of a lifetime
• Winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year
• Why Zara thinks Laura Collett can do the double
Guest
Zara Tindall is a World and European Champion event rider and Olympic silver medallist. She won both individual titles with the legendary Toy Town and has represented Great Britain at the highest level of the sport.

The summer heat brings plenty of challenges for horse owners, and keeping horses healthy goes far beyond topping up the water bucket.
Spike is joined by Red Mills nutritionist Louise Jones to discuss how hot weather changes your horse's nutritional needs, why hydration deserves more attention than many of us give it, and the practical management changes that can make a real difference. They also cover summer weight gain, electrolytes versus salt, supporting hoof health in dry conditions, and the small changes that can help horses stay comfortable through the hottest part of the season.
Highlights
How hot weather changes your horse's nutritional needs
Hydration, soaked feeds and encouraging horses to drink
Salt vs. electrolytes: which does your horse need?
Managing weight gain during the summer months
Supporting hoof health in dry conditions
Practical management tips for travelling and competing in the heat
Guests
Spike – Equine veterinarian and host of the Red Mills Feed Room
Louise Jones – Equine nutritionist at Red Mills
With thanks to Red Mills for their continued support of the Feed Room series.
📲 Stay Connected This episode is brought to you by Connolly's Red Mills. For expert advice, forage analysis, and feeding support, visit redmills.com or connect with their nutrition team directly. Proud partners of the podcast, Red Mills are here to help you feed your horse with confidence.