Biography

It will be a first Badminton for British rider Emma Thomas (24) and her entry Icarus. Last year the combination completed Burghley (18^th) and was 6^th in the U25 class at Bramham.

Emma, who is based near Stratford upon Avon is in her third season of full-time riding after studying biological sciences at the Royal Veterinary College.

Emma took to horses at an early age, taking weekly riding lessons as a child. After years of pestering her parents, Emma was given her first pony aged nine. She became interested in eventing after watching Opposition Buzz go cross-country at Badminton. Emma began competing with the Warwickshire Hunt Pony Club, going on to win the open show jumping championships at Hickstead and the open eventing championships individually. For three years she represented team Central at the U18 National Championships and her first milestone was producing her first horse to jump clear around the novice, intermediate and open championships in consecutive years. In 2022 she was a world student champion.In 2023 with Icarus she made a successful 5* debut at Burghley completing in 18^th place.

Off horses she enjoys playing the piano, travel, biology and skiing.

A Wesko Foundation rider, Emma trains with Caroline Moore, Ian Woodhead and Pippa Williams.

Icarus X is an 11-year-old Dutch-bred KWPN gelding. Jumping bred he is by the Belgian jumping sire Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve out of Ewivonne by the thoroughbred Lucky Boy. After early foals Ewivonne went on to a showjumping career in America. Her second foal (by Lux) currently showjumps with William Fletcher. Icarus was acquired by Emma as a five-year-old from Jamie Wingrove soon after he was imported from The Netherlands. He is described by Emma as ‘a former wild child and is very impatient’.