Biography

It will be a second visit to Badminton for British rider Emma Thomas (25) and a first for her ride The Buzz Factor with who she won the under-25 championship at Bramham last year – her first international win. Although Emma started at Badminton last year with Icarus she withdrew after dressage – the combination completed Burghley in 2023 &’24.

Emma, who is based near Stratford upon Avon is in her fourth 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 (The Buzz Factor). 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 trained with the late Caroline Moore and Ian Woodhead.

The Buzz Factor is a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse registered gelding. Bred by John Joe Richardson he is by OBOS Quality out of an ISH mare by the Dutch-bred sire Ekstein. He was originally acquired for Pony Club activities when Emma Was 16 and the pair won the PC Open Eventing Championships in 2018. Since then they have come up the levels together, therefore Buzz means the world to Emma as he is the foundation of her career. Last year they were crowned U25 National Champions at Bramham. The pair has trained with Pippa Williams since the start of the partnership.

Icarus X is a 12-year-old Dutch-bred KWPN gelding. Jumping bred he is by the Belgian jumping sire Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve (aka OTangelo) 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’.