Biography

It will be a first Badminton for British rider Helen Bates (28) and Carpe Diem. In 2023 Helen, who is based near Cirencester where she runs her own yard, completed her first 5* at Pau (23^rd double clear) with Carpe Diem.

After school at the age of 17 Helen based herself with Mark and Tanya Kyle as a working student taking two horses with her. She ended up staying for six years. She now runs her own small yard producing horses for the sport. In 2019 she represented GB on the CCI3* European Cup team in Germany (21^st Geluk G)

Helen spends most of her time training and competing and enjoys producing young horses. She currently has a promising 10-year-old – Cascorson Z – competing at 4*.  Off a horse she enjoys fitness training.

Helen trains with Kevin McNab.

Carpe Diem is a 14-year-old German-bred Hanoverian gelding by the leading sire Contendro I out of a mare by Escudo I. He was acquired from a Brightwells Auction as a four-year-old. He quickly earned the nickname of Demon due to being sharp and spooky although is now described as her -one-in-a-million horse. He has been produced by Helen and the pair won the international 3* at Nunney in 2021 and completed its first 5* in 2023.