First-timer Lizzie Baugh almost didn’t make it to Mars Badminton Horse Trials with B Exclusive as the homebred gelding was nearly sold as a three-year-old.
“It wasn’t necessarily that we didn’t think he was a good horse, it was more that he was quite a big tall three-year-old and we didn’t really want anything that big,” said Lizzie about the 15-year-old who measures 17hh.
“I didn’t know at the time that I was going to ride as a career because I was still at school, so we had a go at selling him. Luckily he didn’t sell and here we are.”
The 27-year-old now runs a yard near Newark and made her five-star debut at Burghley last autumn. They had to withdraw after the cross-country there and so are seeking a first completion at this level today (10 May).
A family affair
B Exclusive’s journey to Badminton has been a family affair.
“It’s always been a huge dream to ride at this level. It’s so special to be here, especially on one like this, who we’ve had from a foal,” said Lizzie.
“He was out of a mare that my mum evented up to novice level then had a couple of foals from her.
“My oldest sister backed him and then I took the ride on him when he was a four-year-old.
“He’s always been a very talented horse,” continued Lizzie. “I was 16 when I started riding him and he was a four-year-old, so I’d say he’s always been keen to do the job because I wasn’t the most confident and was probably a bit useless at that age as well.
“For him to come up the levels and go as far as he has, he’s always loved the job.”
