Badminton 2011 top tens

Kate Green selects the top 10 shops to visit and the top 10 riders to watch at this weekend’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

Shop til you drop at: Balmain & Balmain - charming furniture and household artefacts (stand 120) Berkeley Studio Ltd - rummage through the baskets of bargain sporting prints (5) Cordings - smart, timeless, classic clothes served with old-fashioned courtesy (200) Cousins of Cheltenham - for Magic jeans, probably the best cut in the world (114) Frimble of Ripton - beautifully cut, elegant coats for ladies (3) In the Saddle - satisfy your wanderlust (67) Nomad Ideas by Farquhar Trading - gorgeous, colourful Turkish imports of bags, slippers and kelims (257) Patey Hats - for a better profile (263) Wool Overs - reasonably priced, quality jumpers and cardies (131) Beatrice von Tresckow Designs Ltd - silk clothing in mouthwatering, deep colours (208)

Also recommended: Festival of Food for presents and last-minute bottles to take your host and Rural Crafts Tent for a cornucopia of original presents

Riders to watch at Badminton 2011

Mark Todd - for a masterclass in cross-country riding. Don't rule out a fourth Badminton victory for the 55-year-old; he's last to go on the exciting prospect Land Vision

Pippa Funnell - another on the comeback trail. She also has three wins under her belt and has a realistic chance of a fourth on the magnificent chestnut jumper Redesigned

Caroline Powell - the first New Zealand woman to win a four-star (Burghley last year) would love to make it a double on the irrespressible 18-year-old grey, Lenamore

Kristina Cook - the reigning European champion, a hugely able horsewoman, has never finished in the first three at a four-star and has a point to prove on Miners Frolic

Nicola Wilson - a smiley addition to the British squad, Opposition Buzz is unlikely to do a good enough dressage to win, but they are an exhilarating partnership to watch across country

Oliver Townend - the 2009 winner likes to keep it simple and stick to one ride on a grey horse, this time the promising Ashdale Cruise Master

Andrew Nicholson - Townend's great mate has more Badminton completions than anyone (29) and would be a popular winner. His best placing to date is second in 2004, and he has live chances on his world bronze medallist Nereo

Mary King - Another rider who knows her way around, no one works harder than Mary, and the 49-year-old deserves a third win, most likely on the handsome Imperial Cavalier

Jean Teulere - The stylish Frenchman only makes rare appearances in Britain, but don't discount this former world champion on Matelot du Val

William Fox-Pitt - the reigning world number one and class horseman has every chance with Kentucky winner Cool Mountain

Dark horses: Canadian riders Serena O' Hanlon and Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch sprung a surprise when winning team silver at the World Equestrian Games last year - they make their debut; Australian Sam Griffiths should overlook a blip at the same event and could win on Happy Times; and young Brit Gemma Tattersall is sure to have a blazing cross-country round on the former Mary King mare Kings Gem

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