2026 Badminton Diaries Day 4: Cross-Country Conversations

By Saturday night at Mars Badminton Horse Trials, the leaderboard looks different, and so does everyone who's been part of it. On today's Badminton Diaries, we start the day with Simon Middleton from Zebra Products and the team behind Simon Grieve's Autograph, sharing the emotional story of a homebred who has gone all the way to five-star. Then Marcus from Fairfax & Favor reflects on 13 years at Badminton, how far the brand has come, and why some stands become part of the fabric of the week. Out on course, Sarah Bullimore joins us after one of the rounds of the day, a brilliant clear inside the time with the 10-year-old Corimiro. Then, as the sun starts to drop over the lake, Laura Collett, Sam Watson, Georgia Patrick, and Diarmuid sit down to unpack a cross-country day that delivered everything, history, heartbreak, homebreds, and one combination that still looks untouchable. Highlights Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo hold the lead after cross-country Sarah Bullimore and Corimiro deliver one of the rounds of the week The emotional story behind Simon Grieve's Autograph, from foal to five-star Marcus from Fairfax & Favor on 13 years at Badminton Laura Collett and Sam Watson break down the pressure, the partnerships, and the performances that shaped Saturday The movers, the heartbreaks, and who still has it all to play for on Sunday Guests Nicole Brown Diarmuid Byrne Simon Middleton, Zebra Products Marcus from Fairfax & Favor Sarah Bullimore Laura Collett Sam Watson Georgia Patrick This year's Badminton Diaries are brought to you by: Fairfax Saddles Scientifically designed saddles, bridles, and girths, built to help horses move freely, comfortably, and at their best. Visit Fairfax Saddles EcoVoltz Built for life on the move, from walking cross-country tracks to covering every corner of the showground. ecovoltz.co.uk/— please use your existing partner link if you have a direct landing page. Uvex Trusted by top riders worldwide for premium helmets and gloves, combining protection, comfort, and performance. Explore Uvex Equestrian Zebra Products Supplying world-class equestrian brands, from performance tack to rider essentials, trusted across every discipline. Visit Zebra Products US Equestrian Open A new era of championship sport across jumping, dressage, and eventing in the United States. Website: usequestrianopen.org EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 👀 Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing for your ultimate Badminton companion.