EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

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.

The World Championships market is open, which means one thing: it's time to build your team.
Sam Watson is joined by Annie Bishop and Brayden Lissington for their first reaction to the 2026 Eventing Manager market. From Laura Collett and London 52 topping the prices to the value picks further down the list, they explain how they're approaching team selection, debate the biggest decisions, and reveal the five combinations making their first draft teams.
Along the way, they dive into championship strategy, why cross-country reliability matters more than ever, whether it's worth backing your favourites or picking with your head instead of your heart, and share plenty of tips to help you build your team before the market closes.
Highlights
First reactions to the 2026 World Championships market
Laura Collett & London 52 vs. Ros Canter & Lordships Graffalo
Sam, Annie and Brayden reveal their first draft teams
Championship strategy and finding value in the market
Tips for building your Eventing Manager team before Aachen
Guests
Sam Watson – EquiRatings Co-Founder and creator of Eventing Manager
Annie Bishop – EquiRatings analyst and Eventing Manager expert
Brayden Lissington – Co-host of Eventing Weekly and Eventing Manager enthusiast
Your team doesn't stop with this episode.
Follow @eventing_manager for daily picks, strategy, leaderboard updates and everything you need ahead of the World Championships.

Seven months after having her daughter, Lucy Robinson was back in the start box with Ember.
In this Red Mills Special, Lucy catches up with Nicole to talk about life since becoming a mum, getting back in the saddle after an emergency C-section, and why she was in no rush to put pressure on herself or Ember. They also discuss returning at the Retraining of Racehorses Championships at Osberton, why dedicated classes for former racehorses matter, and how success can look a little different after a break from competition.
Highlights
Returning to riding after becoming a mum
Ember's comeback at the Retraining of Racehorses Championships at Osberton
Why dedicated classes for former racehorses matter
Redefining success after a break from competition

Lucy Robinson – British event rider, YouTuber, and the rider behind Footluce Eventing
Sponsors:
Connolly's Red Mills are offering 15% off Foran Equine products to Eventing Podcast listeners! Use the code EquiRatingsPodcast15 to receive your discount. View the full collection here.
Note this does not apply to the already discounted Pre-Fuel & Refuel combo packs.
If you have any other questions regarding feeding click here to ask the Connolly's RED MILLS experts.
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.