Biography

Helen Bates GBR

British rider Helen Bates (29) made her Badminton debut in 2024 completing with Carpe Diem – her entry this year also.

In 2023 Helen, who is based near Cirencester where she runs her own yard, completed her first 5* at Pau with Carpe Diem (23^rd double clear) and last year the combination finished the season at Boekelo completing the 4*L.

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 also has an 11-year-old – Cascorson Z – competing at 4*.  Off a horse she enjoys fitness training and enjoying time with Dora the dog.

Helen trains with Kevin McNab.

Carpe Diem is a 15-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.