Biography

It will be a first Badminton for British amateur rider Katie Preston (32) who is based in Kent where she is a full time equine vet based at Milbourn Equine. Last year with Badminton entry Templar Justice Katie completed her first four-star at Luhmuhlen and then went on to complete Burghley

Katie began riding as a child at the local riding school and at the age of 10 acquired a pony on loan and joined the local Pony Club. During her Pony Club years she competed at the championships in all disciplines including tetrathlon. After school she deferred a place to study veterinary medicine at the University of Liverpool in order to focus on eventing as a working pupil for Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks. After 18 months she decided to begin her studies to become a vet. She now describes eventing as her hobby and currently competes three horses.

During her five years training she produced young horses to sell on. With Templar Justice she was on the Equine Pathway, long-listed for the 2* European championships and in 2014 represented GB at the world young horse championships in Le Lions.

Katie trains with Francis Whittington, Nick Turner and Leane Wall. During the off season she enjoys playing hockey, skiing and travelling.

Templar Justice, owned by the rider is a 12-year-old British-bred SHB(GB) registered gelding. He was acquired by Katie from breeders Patrick and Amanda Rolphe of the Templar Stud as a two-year-old. He is by the former advanced event stallion Weston Justice – who competed to four-star level – out of the mare Welton Vivat by Welton Crackerjack ridden by Emily Baldwin to three-star. Vivat is also the dam of Templar Tribute by Welton Ambassador. Justice is just 15.2hh and will be one of the smaller horses in the field. He has been brought through the grades by Katie – every ‘first’ including Badminton they have experienced together. Two years ago he had metal pins put in his leg to fuse an injured pastern.