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<h2 class="p-rich_text_section"><strong>Course Design and Impact</strong></h2>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">Le Goupil's design, set in the historic grounds of Versailles, presents a unique challenge. The course has been described as less twisty and more open than expected, with several good galloping stretches. This layout could favour horses with strong stamina and speed rather than those excelling in technical, tight turns. Key features include:</div>
<ul class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet" data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">A 5,300-meter track with less terrain than typical championship courses</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Significant tree coverage, providing shade and potentially cooler conditions</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Two notable water complexes, including a challenging second water jump</li>
</ul>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">The optimum time is 9 minutes and 2 seconds, but early assessments suggest it might be more achievable than initially thought. This could reduce the influence of time penalties on the final standings, placing greater emphasis on accuracy and show jumping performance.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section"><br>Le Goupil has incorporated additional combinations to slow riders down, indicating an effort to balance speed with technical challenges. This approach aims to test the best without overly punishing less experienced combinations.</div>
<h2 class="p-rich_text_section"><strong>Who to Watch?&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">These four combinations are among the top 10 most-reliable XC jumpers in the field and they're also among the 10 fastest:</div>
<ol class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__ordered" data-stringify-type="ordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Lordships Graffalo (Ros Canter, GB): Known for fast cross-country rounds - 97% Top Speed Percentage or 'TSP' (the % of opponents a horse has outpaced on its fastest days) and 100% XCJ clear rate in the last 10 FEI runs.&nbsp;</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">HSH Blake (Caroline Pamukcu, USA): An up-and-coming combination that could surprise on a course that might favour bold, forward riding (95% TSP).</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Colorado Blue (Austin O'Connor, IRE): Based on TSP, the fastest XC horse in the field (98%).</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Dao de l'Ocean (Felix Vogg, SUI): Comes into the Olympics with 100% XCJ clear rate in the last 10 FEI runs and 94% TSP.</li>
</ol>
<h2 class="p-rich_text_section"><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">The cross-country phase at Paris 2024 promises to be a fascinating test of horse and rider combinations. While the course may not present the extreme technical challenges some expected, it will require a delicate balance of speed, accuracy, and strategic riding. As always in eventing, the cross-country phase will set the stage for a thrilling conclusion in the show jumping arena.</div>

Paris 2024 Olympic Cross-Country Preview: Course Insights and Top Contenders

<h2>1. Le Goupil&rsquo;s Tough Track</h2>
<p>Pierre Le Goupil&rsquo;s course design is going to be tough - this won't be a Tokyo track, and riders should be ready for some tricky questions. Known for technical angles and complex combinations, his tracks have historically low clear rates. His&nbsp;previous designs have set the bar high, promising a challenging and exciting course that will truly test every competitor.</p>
<h2>2. The Evolution of Eventing Formats</h2>
<p>Eventing formats have changed over the years, with the three-from-three format introduced in Tokyo 2020 continuing in Paris. This format ensures that every rider's score counts, making each performance crucial for the team's success.</p>
<h2>3. Team GB: Strong Favourites &amp; High Stakes</h2>
<p>Team GB enters Paris 2024 with a 40% win chance. Featuring top riders Ros Canter, Laura Collett, and Tom McEwen, their consistent excellence across all disciplines makes them the team to watch. Their recent success, including a Tokyo gold, combined&nbsp;with a rigorous selection process, adds to the pressure and expectations. Every rider must perform at their best in the three-from-three format, where each score impacts the team&rsquo;s final standing. This ensures a thrilling and unpredictable competition.</p>
<p>Paris 2024 is set to deliver an unforgettable eventing competition. With Le Goupil&rsquo;s demanding course, the evolved eventing format, and strong contenders across the nations, equestrian fans are in for a thrilling ride. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from EquiRatings as we commence our coverage of the Games.</p>

The Olympic Eventing Preview: 3 Key Insights for Paris 2024

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><strong>The main man is in town</strong><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"></span></strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">There is always a buzz at Kentucky when Oliver is here. The world number one (it was his first victory here that landed him that badge and but for the odd-month here and there, it has been a title he has dominated for 5 years. He is a three-time winner here and this venue has become a key part of his career. 2024 will be no different &ndash; having won Burghley already, and with <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/399834390/7/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more firepower waiting in the wings for Badminton</a> in a couple of weeks &ndash; a chance to win the Grand Slam of Eventing will rest on <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/153146867/8/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">whether he can guide the 10yo superstar Cooley Rosalent to victory here</a>. She has gone close to winning a CCI5* already when they had uncharacteristic second rail at Maryland to hand the victory to Ireland&rsquo;s Austin O&rsquo;Connor.</span><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"></span></strong></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><strong>Consistently delivering at the top level</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Oliver is a winner. His first five-star win came at Badminton in 2009 with Flint Curtis and then he quickly backed that up with a Burghley win later the same year. He is now a 7 time winner at the level, with three Kentucky wins and three Burghley wins adding to that first Badminton win. He has had seven podiums at Badminton &ndash; more than any other venue. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #0d0d0d; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/d5181620-9fea-4c10-b87a-33988d972920?width=440&amp;height=506" alt="Screenshot 2024 04 23 130914"></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">&nbsp;</span></strong></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><strong>The Big-Hitter Horse - Ballaghmor Class</strong></h2>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><br></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">There are lots of opinions I guess about who the top one is but the correct answer is surely the horse with the most runs, the most wins and the podiums. <strong>Ballaghmor Class</strong> has 11 runs, 3 wins and 7 podiums. Next we have Armada who delivered 9 runs. This horse is also the all-time top rated British horse on our system, with an Elo of 864 and number 6 on the all-time, all-nations list.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/045eb810-483b-4257-bfb8-f67cffaf20d1?width=1749&amp;height=744" alt="All Time Elo"></span></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><strong>The top-rated five star performances</strong></h2>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><br></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">HPR, High Performance Rating, is a tool we use to help managers who face the situation that &lsquo;not all five-stars are equal. They aren&rsquo;t even equal year-to-year. Look at the rating for winning Burghley last year &ndash; it is lower that the podium in 2019. </span></p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/45385ad1-08fa-4177-8f88-d4709278c06a?width=1476&amp;height=727" alt="Top Rated Results "></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><strong>Kentucky with Cooley Rosalent</strong></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/153146867/8/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">They have a big chance</a>. Imagine winning the thing on your 100<sup>th</sup> run &ndash; further pushing your #1 dominance, deepening the selection headache for Team GB and setting up a grand slam story for Badminton. Here&rsquo;s to the next 100 Oliver!<br><br><br></p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-osXaq" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Oliver Townend will compete for the 100th time at CCI5* level this weekend." src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/osXaq/2/" height="1769" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Twenty years, 100 five-stars for Oliver

<h2><strong>Lets start with a quick look at the ratings:&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>A 106 HPR is huge! the data is suggesting we have seen something on a par with <strong>Laura Collett</strong> and London 52 at&nbsp;<em>that</em> Aston-Le-Walls class before Tokyo when they finished on 20.5, beating Toledo and Brookfield Inocent. It is on a par with fischerChipmunk winning Luhmuhlen in 2021 (dominating the rest of the field and finished on 21.4 - a field that included Vassily and a not-quite-yet Olympic Champion Amande De b'Neville). It even matches the SAP Hale Bob win at Aachen in 2019.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/76e42cb9-2da7-459c-964b-51f056a5bc21?width=2191&amp;height=1263" alt="Emily King Hpr List"><br></strong></h2>
<h2><strong>Why such a good rating?</strong></h2>
<p>Take a look at who they beat...and by how much. Sure, some horses may not have been pushing for time but they were all doing their best in the first phase and Valmy Biats was joint-leader with Banzai du Loir on 23.2. They were ahead of London 52, ahead of Lordship's Graffalo and Izilot DHI. They were second fastest - a second behind Colorado Blue. A 6.8 winning margin in a field which contains some of the greats will drive the rating.</p>
<h2><strong><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/a33e4649-6dd9-4e7b-b04d-4d576adc8d73?width=2160&amp;height=940" alt="Thorseby Final Results"><br><br></strong></h2>
<h2><strong>Is it real?&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Sure, they didn't all push for the time and some didn't even run XC but it certainly has made us all sit up a bit here at the office. Likely it is a bit inflated because of the tactics of others but also possible that it goes under the radar - and it shouldn't.</p>
<h2><strong>What it means for Badminton 2024</strong></h2>
<p>It means a big jump in the ratings. Have a look:</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/add480e1-9ea2-4569-8d89-dfb1eb1861e0?width=940&amp;height=788" alt="Valmy Biats">Their chances of winning at Badminton have shot up by 5%, making them one of the top contenders. They may be 4<sup>th</sup> highest on win chance at the moment, but with Cooley Rosalent planning to cross the Atlantic to compete at Kentucky, it is fair to consider them the 3<sup>rd</sup> favourite for Badminton currently. Imagine the scenes if Emily King wins Badminton! And what would it mean for Paris! Anyway, let's enjoy that 106 Thoresby win and not get too ahead of ourselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/e0dfd3f3-817b-4cab-927a-f0bd86eea46b?width=940&amp;height=788" alt="Brookfield Innocent"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Brookfield Inocent: The favourite - if they start</strong><br>Another Thoresby winner (2022). This pair deliver incredible results when they start and haven't been out of the top three in any of their last five international runs. That run however includes Avenches in late 2021 - they had only two runs in 2022 and two in 2023. If they start, they will be class but it will be bubblewrap between now and the second weekend in May.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/1d0d952a-0ed6-4e03-a8dd-8325b32ad89d?width=940&amp;height=788" alt="Izilot DHI"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Izilot DHI: Badminton Bound</strong><br>Last season, Ros had probably the best 'second' horse in the sport in this horse and late last year, Izilot DHI began to push Lordship's Graffalo for the top spot and place for Paris. Izilot has a 5* win under his belt at Pau, and Ros will be looking to add <em>another</em> Badminton title in 2024.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Who are we missing?</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jalapeno and Gemma Stevens were third favourites when entries were released in late March - they are out of the competition now which also impacted on the favourites. This reshuffle has put Cooley Rosalent in a sweet spot in this virtual world of prediction and simulation but we expect it is Kentucky for this combination and therefore, it is the Burghley winner and five-star king, Ballaghmor Class that many will now see as the tough, battle-hardened horse that can rise to the challenge of Badminton.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Vitali: Jumped Clear at Thoresby</strong><br>We got a few messages about the impact of the clear show jumping round within minutes of it happening at Thoresby. We were excited to see ourselves but a dip in dressage performance - a 27 is great (and probably more a more realistic repeatable benchmark) than the 18.7 at Burghley. The hike in dressage score cancelled the clear round of SJ and they are about where they were - top few.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lots still to unfold no doubt. Main takeaway - Valmy was really great!!&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Badminton Prediction Centre on the 10th April</h3>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/ab563edd-41e5-402f-92ca-2c2e91ef215f?width=931&amp;height=873" alt="Prediction Centre on the 10th April"></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/30532763/height/128/theme/modern/size/standard/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/345178/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes/font-color/FFFFFF" width="100%" height="128" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Additional Materials:</h3>
<p><strong>Entries Magazine Overview:</strong> <a class="c-link" href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/399834390/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/399834390/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://digital.equiratings.com/view/399834390/</a><br><strong>Latest Badminton Prediction Centre</strong>:&nbsp;<a class="c-link" href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/badminton_5l_2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/badminton_5l_2024" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/badminton_5l_2024</a><br><strong>Check the current entries:</strong>&nbsp;<a class="c-link" href="https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/entries/2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/entries/2024" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/entries/2024</a><br><strong>Find more podcast episodes here:</strong>&nbsp;<a class="c-link" href="https://podfollow.com/equiratings-eventing-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://podfollow.com/equiratings-eventing-podcast" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://podfollow.com/equiratings-eventing-podcast</a></p>

Emily King now a live contender to win Badminton

<p><strong>The Early Reaction Show<br></strong></p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/30532763/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/87A93A/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes/font-color/FFFFFF" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2><strong><br>The Early Guide to the Field</strong></h2>
<h2><strong><a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/399834390/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/e6b48492-45f7-4556-8c1b-c11d64fbce40?width=903&amp;height=1491" alt="Image (68)"></a><br><br><a class="fbo-embed" style="max-width: 100%;" href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/399834390/" data-fbo-id="f4ce94b1b2" data-fbo-ratio="3:2" data-fbo-lightbox="yes" data-fbo-width="100%" data-fbo-height="auto" data-fbo-version="1">The Entries for the 2024 MARS Badminton Horse Trials</a> <br><br>The Early Prediction Centre<br></strong><br><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/53c7497d-8e54-44bd-96b2-75c143ed2930?width=1322&amp;height=1697" alt="Prediction Center" loading="lazy"></h2>

Eventing

Paris 2024 Olympic Cross-Country Preview: Course Insights and Top Contenders

The Olympic Eventing Preview: 3 Key Insights for Paris 2024

Twenty years, 100 five-stars for Oliver

Emily King now a live contender to win Badminton

Badminton 2024 - The Early Guide

Stay Ahead with EquiRatings Insights