Show Notes
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 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.
More from EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
The final five-star of 2026 is here, and the whole team is back together for one last big preview of the season. Nicole is joined by Diarm, Sam and Spike to look ahead to Les 5 Étoiles de Pau, where defending champion Tim Price returns with Jarillo, Bubby Upton heads the EquiRatings Prediction Centre with Cola, and a strong field of established stars and exciting newcomers prepares for the final five-star title of the year. Can Tim Price make it back-to-back victories? Could Bubby Upton finally land that elusive five-star win? Or will one of the younger horses upset the established contenders? From the riders with something to prove to the combinations who could thrive if the ground turns soft, the team digs into the form, the numbers and their own predictions for the weekend. Highlights: Defending Champion: Tim Price and Jarillo return to Pau looking for a second consecutive victory. The Favourites: Bubby Upton and Cola lead the Prediction Centre, but does their five-star form tell a different story? Rising Stars: Tom McEwen and Quintus, Yasmin Ingham and Gypsy du Loir, and the young horses stepping up to five-star level. Contenders to Watch: Melody Johner and Erin, Felix Vogg and Cartania, and the combinations who could challenge the favourites. The Pau Factor: How the course, conditions and cross-country time could influence the final result. Final Predictions: The team's picks for the title, plus their last Eventing Manager selections of 2026. Guests: Diarmuid Byrne: EquiRatings co-founder and analyst. Sam Watson: Olympic event rider and EquiRatings co-founder. Spike Milligan: Equine veterinarian and regular Eventing Podcast contributor. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast Listen to the full preview and follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more previews, reviews and analysis from across the sport. 🎧 Listen: EquiRatings Eventing Podcast Follow us for the latest eventing news, predictions and behind-the-scenes coverage: Instagram: @equiratings_eventing Facebook: EquiRatings
What's life like behind the scenes at one of eventing's busiest yards? Travelling Head Girl for Tom Jackson, Chloe Whitelam, joins us in the Strawmax Stable to talk about life on the road, the horses behind a brilliant season and her journey from a non-horsey childhood to working at the top of the sport. With Pau just around the corner, Chloe shares her hopes for Plot Twist B, reflects on some standout results and gives us an insight into the personalities that make Tom's string so special. Highlights: Chloe's journey from racing to becoming Travelling Head Girl for Tom Jackson. Reflecting on Hawkeye's fourth place at Burghley and a successful season across the yard. The preparation for Pau and hopes of going one better with Plot Twist B. Managing a busy string of horses and building relationships with each of them. Chloe's Olympic ambitions and her advice for anyone hoping to build a career with horses. Life outside the yard, dream sporting events and the lucky blue nails making a return for Pau. A great chance to get to know one of the people working behind the scenes to help make top-level eventing happen. Guest: Chloe Whitelam This episode is kindly supported by Strawmax, the natural straw pellet bedding designed with horses and busy yards in mind. Made from 100% British straw, Strawmax is dust-extracted, highly absorbent and easy to maintain, helping keep horses comfortable while making stable management simpler. Discover the benefits of Strawmax at www.strawmax.co.uk.
Want your horse looking its best at your next event? We've got you covered! Cameron Beer is joined by experienced five-star freelance groom Kirsten Poulsom for a grooming and turnout masterclass packed with practical tips to help you prepare for competition, whether you're heading to your first event or a major championship. From getting those perfect plaits and quarter marks to managing studs, packing your competition essentials and looking after your horse following cross country, Kirsten shares the tricks of the trade she's picked up working at the top of the sport. Plus, Kirsten sets listeners a challenge to put their quarter-marking skills to the test! Highlights: The daily grooming habits that make competition preparation easier. Tips for bathing, clipping, trimming and keeping grey horses clean. How to perfect your plaits and quarter marks. Making studs less stressful and what to pack in your grooming kit. Cooling down and caring for your horse after cross country. Why having a freelance groom can make such a difference at a big event. Guest: Kirsten Poulsom, five-star freelance eventing groom The Grassroots Show is proudly supported by Foran Equine, providing scientifically formulated supplements and nutritional solutions to support your horse's health, wellbeing and performance. Discover the Foran Equine range at www.foranequine.com.
A record-breaking British win at Boekelo, young horses making their mark at Cornbury and a look at what's next for British Eventing. Nicole is joined by British Eventing CEO Rosie Williams to reflect on another Nations Cup success and look ahead to the 2027 fixtures calendar. Mollie Summerland and Lizzie Baugh also join the show to talk young horse championships, the pathways helping develop the next generation and the horses they're excited about for the future. Highlights Team GB's record-breaking Nations Cup Final win at Boekelo What's behind Britain's strength and depth The 2027 British Eventing fixtures calendar Why championships like Cornbury matter for young horses, riders and owners Mollie Summerland on Don Alfredo and developing her next generation Lizzie Baugh on her Cornbury success, Nations Cup debut and stepping up to five-star Guests Rosie Williams – CEO of British Eventing Mollie Summerland – Five-star winner and British Eventing National Young Horse Champion Lizzie Baugh – British event rider and Howden Way Young Horse Academy rider This episode is brought to you by Zebra Products, the UK and Ireland's leading distributor of premium equestrian brands including Sprenger and Veredus, and title partner of the British Eventing Podcast for 2026. Find out more at: zebraproducts.co.uk
The grass has gone brown, but has the vitamin E gone with it? Spike is back with Louise Jones for a bite-sized Feed Room, answering a great listener question prompted by the hot weather: when fresh green pasture turns dry and scorched, do we need to start supplementing vitamin E? Louise explains what happens to vitamin E as grass dries out, whether a normal balanced diet is enough to cover the difference, and which horses might actually benefit from additional supplementation. Highlights Why fresh grass is such a good source of vitamin E What happens when pasture becomes dry and scorched Whether most horses need extra vitamin E When supplementation may be worthwhile Vitamin E for horses prone to tying up Why feeding additional oil can change requirements Guest Louise Jones – Equine nutritionist with Connolly's RED MILLS, answering your real-world feeding questions with Spike. 🎧 A quick one, but a very useful one. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. This episode is supported by Connolly's RED MILLS. For more expert nutrition advice and to explore their range of equine feeds and supplements, visit RED MILLS.