The Grassroots Show: Rider Fitness with Katie Bleekman

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: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

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.

Thoresby is done and dusted, and it delivered. A big win, a few messy moments, and a proper reminder that even the best riders have to fight for it. Gemma Stevens did exactly that, bouncing back from a tough start to take the Grantham Cup with Cooley Park Muse. Elsewhere, the form is starting to show. Tom Jackson looks full of confidence, and Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo had the kind of run that just ticks the box. It wasn't straightforward. The cross country asked questions, there were a few issues, and plenty to take away heading into the next few weeks. Highlights Gemma Stevens regroups and delivers to win with Cooley Park Muse Tom Jackson on form with a strong weekend, including a win with United 36 Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo back out and looking right on track Cross country proves influential across the divisions Early Badminton form lines starting to take shape Guests Nicole Brown Catherine Austen EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Lucienne Bellissimo begins the 2026 season with a new flag beside her name, now officially representing the United States. It is a change that reflects where life and sport have taken her. From riding ponies in the New Forest to building businesses, surviving serious injuries, and returning to the top level of eventing, Lucienne's journey has been anything but straightforward. In this episode she reflects on the resilience behind that journey, the decision to build her life in the US, and the horses she believes could carry her towards five-star success. Highlights Lucienne Bellissimo's move to represent the United States in 2026 Growing up in the New Forest and finding her path into eventing Launching the Horse Scout platform and balancing business with riding Recovering from multiple serious injuries and returning to competition The US eventing landscape and the impact of the US Equestrian Open Five-star ambitions and the horses leading her 2026 season Guest Lucienne Bellissimo – International event rider now competing for the United States. 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 Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park brings together one of the strongest early-season fields, with Badminton entries, returning champions, and a mix of horses at very different stages of their spring campaigns. This episode previews the Grantham Cup and the wider four-star divisions, looking at who could win, who's likely using it as a prep run, and which combinations are starting to show form ahead of the five-stars. From established names to rising talent, it's a first proper look at how the season is shaping up. Highlights Grantham Cup contenders and podium predictions Who's running to win vs. who's prepping for five-star Key horses to watch ahead of Badminton and Kentucky Standout names across both four-star divisions Guests Nicole Brown – Host and analyst Spike Milligan – FEI team vet with decades of championship experience Catherine Austen – Eventing journalist EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Buying a horse is one of the hardest things to get right in this sport. Not because there aren't options, but because the right ones aren't always visible. The best horses are often off-market, spread across global networks, and difficult to compare without real context. This episode breaks down how the EquiRatings Horse Sourcing process actually works, building a global pool of horses, filtering that pool using performance data, and narrowing it down through experience, insight, and real conversations with riders and owners. From first search to final shortlist, it's about giving buyers a clearer view of the market and the confidence to make the right call. Highlights Why the best horses are often not publicly available How EquiRatings builds and filters a global pool of horses The role of data alongside rider feel and experience How shortlists are created and decisions are made The difference between the Complete and Light search models How the portal gives buyers a live view of the market Guests Sam Watson – Irish international event rider and co-founder of EquiRatings Samantha Lissington – Horse Sourcing Analyst: Evaluates talent and potential in horses, helping buyers understand value and opportunity. Combines real-world experience with a data-informed perspective. Rozzie Bainbridge – Horse Sourcing Client Communications: Supports communication across the EquiRatings horse sourcing service. Ensures clients feel informed, understood, and connected through every step of the journey. 📩 Contact Rozzie Bainbridge (Horse Sourcing Enquiries) Email: [email protected] 🌐 EquiRatings Horse Sourcing Learn more about the process, services, and current offerings: https://www.equiratings.com 📊 Free Horse Performance Metrics Screenshot Get in touch with Rozzie to share your horse's status (for sale, not for sale, or future plans) and receive a personalised EquiRatings performance metrics snapshot EquiRatings Eventing PodcastFollow 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.

The 2026 Defender Kentucky entries are out… and suddenly, everything feels very real. There's something about seeing the list in black and white. The names, the horses, the matchups. The ones who have come close before, the ones building toward something bigger, and the ones who might just change the story this year. At the top, Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality arrive as the standout favourite. The American challenge is strong, with Will Coleman and Boyd Martin both bringing serious contenders, while Harry Meade is once again searching for that elusive five-star win. Beyond the favourites, it's a seriously deep field. Horses that have been there and done it, horses stepping up, and plenty that feel like they're right on the edge of something big. And behind it all, Kentucky itself is already taking shape. The build-up, the pressure, and the feeling that when the week arrives, it will move fast. Highlights First reaction to the 2026 Kentucky entry list Why Tom McEwen leads the field, and what could stop him The strength of the US challenge on home soil Key storylines across the five-star contenders A look inside the Kentucky build-up and what's new for this year Guests Diarmuid Byrne – EquiRatings co-founder  Annie – EquiRatings podcast host and client liason Lillian Dobat – Sponsorship Manager, Kentucky Three-Day Event Cavan Allen – Event Secretary, Kentucky Three-Day Event EquiRatings Eventing PodcastFollow 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.