Show Notes
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.
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.