Underdog Athletes Vie for Victory at Badminton Horse Trials
The prestigious Mars Badminton Horse Trials isn’t just for full-time professional riders. This year’s competition features a compelling mix of individuals who juggle demanding careers with the rigorous training required for top-level equestrian sport,proving dedication adn commitment can lead to exceptional achievements.
Arthur Marx: Shop Worker Turned Equestrian Star
French rider Arthur Marx, 31, balances his time between working at a stationary shop each morning and managing his yard in Bleury Saint Symphorien, southwest of Paris. The married father of two is competing at Badminton with his horse, Church’lle, seeking his first completion after two previous attempts.
Manuel Grave: Portuguese Farmer Rides into the Arena
Manuel Grave of Portugal, a farmer by trade, pursues eventing as a passionate hobby. This year marks his second attempt at Badminton,returning with Carat de Bremoy,the same horse he rode at the Olympic Games in Paris last year.
Grave manages a farm in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal, raising bulls and cultivating cereals and vineyards. despite the demands of agriculture,he dedicates time to his four competition horses and a number of younger prospects.
Beyond the arena: Eventing Stars Juggle Professions at Badminton Horse Trials
BADMINTON, England – While the world’s top eventers gather at Badminton Horse Trials to showcase their equestrian prowess, many balance their rigorous training and competition schedules with demanding careers outside the arena. From ice cream entrepreneurs to engineers and city council employees, these athletes demonstrate exceptional dedication and time management.
Dairy Entrepreneur and Five-Star Rider
David Doel, a seasoned event rider with multiple five-star placings, manages Reybridge Eventing from his family farm near Lacock in Wiltshire. Alongside his thriving equestrian business, Doel partners with his father in running lacock Dairy, an ice cream company, demonstrating a sweet balance of athleticism and entrepreneurship.
Belgian Engineer Tackles Badminton Debut
Seppe Vilain from Belgium balances his Badminton debut with his career as a functional consultant. The 25-year-old civil engineer graduate also holds a master’s degree in mobility and supply chain engineering. Vilain expertly integrates his technical expertise with the demands of international eventing.
Council Worker Rides into Badminton
Arne Bergendahl,representing Germany,is also making his Badminton debut aboard Luthien NRW. The 34-year-old works for the city council of Wesel in Germany, balancing his professional responsibilities with the dedication required for top-level eventing. Bergendahl, whose father Helmut was a top eventer in the 1980s, grew up on a horse farm and continues to pursue his passion as a “hobby” while working 35 hours a week.
Medical Device Professional Competes at Premier Event
Libby Seed,another competitor at badminton,works full-time in the medical devices industry. Balancing a demanding career with the intense training required for eventing showcases Libby’s commitment and organizational skills.
From Boardroom to Bridle: Meet the Working Riders of Badminton
BADMINTON, England – Balancing demanding careers with the rigorous world of equestrian competition is no easy feat. Though,Libby Seed and Wouter de Cleene are proving it’s possible as they tackle the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials. These riders juggle full-time jobs with the dedication and training required to compete at the highest level of eventing.
Libby seed: Medical Device Specialist Tackles Badminton
Libby Seed, a business advancement specialist for US-based medical device company Boston Scientific, is competing at Badminton with Heartbreaker Star Quality, owned by her parents, Lesley and Jonathan Seed. Based in Chippenham, she manages a stable of five horses, including three competition horses and two young horses beginning their training.
“It’s a juggling act, and my mum is very supportive,” Seed said, highlighting the challenges of balancing her career and equestrian pursuits. “It’s tough trying to balance time, and everything is always arduous, but if you want to do it, you do it.” Seed studied medical sciences at Exeter University.
Wouter De Cleene: Construction Manager Rides into badminton History
Wouter De Cleene, a 37-year-old manager for the Belgian road construction company VMB Aannemingen, is making his Badminton debut aboard Quinteram. De Cleene’s participation carries historical significance; his uncle, Dirk van Mieghem, was the first Belgian rider to complete Badminton with his horse Nancledra.
Following in his uncle’s footsteps, De Cleene hopes to make his own mark at the prestigious event.
Olympian Stars Headline Badminton CCI5* Event
The 2025 Mars Badminton Horse Trials, taking place from Thursday, May 7, to Sunday, May 11, has attracted top equestrian talent, including Olympic gold medalists [[1](https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/news/olympic-stars-head-strong-badminton-entry-list/)]. Ros Canter,Tom McEwen,and Laura Collett,the team event winners from the previous summer’s Olympics,are all slated to compete. The event will also feature Olympic reserve riders and the current world champion [[1](https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/news/olympic-stars-head-strong-badminton-entry-list/)].
Juggling Careers and Cross-Country: Meet the Professionals Competing at Badminton Horse Trials
BADMINTON,England — The prestigious Badminton Horse Trials is not just a test of equestrian skill; it’s a showcase of dedication. Many riders balance rigorous training with full-time careers. This year’s competition features remarkable individuals who juggle professional lives with the demands of top-level eventing.
Dentist Rides Before Dawn to Prepare for badminton
Harald Ambros, a 45-year-old dentist from Austria, exemplifies this dedication. He rides his horse, Vitorio Du montet, at 5:30 a.m. before heading to his dental practice.”The last six weeks have been really hard because I did the training in the morning at half past five before starting work at half past seven,” Ambros said. Some days see him working until 5 p.m., followed by more training.
Accountant Trades Spreadsheets for Saddles at Badminton
Lauren Innes, an accountant, is also competing at Badminton. Like ambros, Innes balances a demanding career with the intense planning required for this level of equestrian competition.
Family Tradition Continues
Another competitor hails from a family with a rich equestrian history. He is the first in his immediate family to compete at Badminton, emulating the success of his uncle, who also competed at a high level.
lauren Innes Balances Accountancy Career with Badminton Horse Trials
Lauren Innes, a 34-year-old chartered accountant for KPMG, is competing at Badminton Horse Trials while maintaining her demanding career. Innes, originally from Britain but now riding for New Zealand, brings her mount, Global Fision M, to the prestigious event, marking their fourth appearance at Badminton together.
From Oxford to Equestrian Fields: Innes’s Unique Journey
Innes’s journey is far from typical within the eventing world.Coming from a non-horsey background,she has successfully juggled her equestrian pursuits with a rigorous academic and professional life. she holds a degree in biological sciences from Oxford University and a master’s degree in investment banking, showcasing her commitment to excellence in multiple fields.
Global fision M: A Seasoned Partner
Innes and Global fision M are a familiar sight on the eventing circuit. last year, the pair achieved a 24th-place finish at Burghley Horse Trials. This year, they aim to improve their performance at Badminton, leveraging their experience and partnership.
New Zealand Representation
Three years ago, Innes made the decision to switch nationalities and represent New Zealand in equestrian competitions. Based near Hook in Hampshire,she continues to balance her demanding work schedule with the training and dedication required to compete at the highest level of eventing.
What kind of time commitment is required too compete at the Badminton Horse Trials while also holding a full-time job?
Underdog Athletes Vie for Victory at Badminton Horse trials - Q&A
This article showcases the unbelievable dedication of amateur athletes who balance demanding careers with the rigorous demands of the Badminton Horse Trials. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways:
Q&A Section
Who is Arthur Marx, and what does he do?
Arthur Marx is a 31-year-old French rider who works at a stationary shop in the mornings.He also manages his yard and is competing at Badminton with his horse Church’lle.
What makes Manuel Grave’s story unique?
Manuel Grave, a Portuguese farmer raising bulls and cultivating crops, is competing at badminton with Carat de Bremoy, the same horse he rode at the Olympics. Despite his demanding agricultural work, he dedicates time to his horses.
Which other professions are represented at Badminton this year?
The event features riders who are also dairy entrepreneurs (David Doel), civil engineers (Seppe Vilain), city council employees (Arne Bergendahl), medical device specialists (Libby Seed), construction managers (Wouter De Cleene), dentists (Harald Ambros), and accountants (Lauren Innes).
How does Libby Seed balance her career and equestrian pursuits?
Libby Seed, a business advancement specialist, manages a stable of five horses while working full-time. She highlights the challenge of time management, emphasizing the importance of passion and dedication.
What is Wouter De Cleene’s connection to Badminton history?
Wouter de Cleene is making his Badminton debut,following in the footsteps of his uncle,Dirk van Mieghem,who was the first Belgian rider to complete the event.
What is Lauren Innes’s background, and what horse is she riding?
Lauren Innes, an accountant, holds degrees from Oxford and is riding Global Fision M for New Zealand. She comes from a non-horsey background and balances her career with equestrian pursuits.
These athletes demonstrate that success in equestrian sport isn’t limited to full-time professionals. Their stories are a testament to the power of dedication, time management, and the pursuit of passion. Read more about the event at the Badminton Horse Trials website.
