Biography

It is the fourth successive visit to Badminton for British rider Isabelle (Bubby) Upton (26) and Cola who have completed on their three previous visits gaining 10^th place last year. In 2024 the pair won the CCI4*S at Hartpury and at the end of the year placed 5^th in the 5*L at Elkton.

Bubby is based in Suffolk, midway between Newmarket and Bury St Edmonds.

Bubby has ridden all her life and started with the Newmarket and Thurlow Pony Club who she represented at the Pony Club Championships six times, from the age of nine. She has come up through the ranks of BE and has been successful in British Pony, Junior and Young Rider European championship teams winning one individual gold, two individual silver, one team gold, two team, silver and one team bronze. For the last four-years she has been a student studying sports management at Edinburgh University juggling education with eventing.

In 2021 she won the U25 championship at Bicton (Cannavaro) and completed her first 5* at Pau finishing 12^th with Cola. In 2023 she claimed her second U25 championship winning at Bramham with Magic Roundabout

Bubby trains with Tina Fletcher and Amy Woodhead. She enjoys time with family and friends and watching F1.

Cola III owned by her mother Rachael Upton is a 15-year-old German-Bred Holstein gelding. He is by international grand prix jumper Catoki out of a mare by the great Contender. He was acquired for Bubby in 2017 from GHF Equestrian – owner Vicki Tuffs produced and competed him to Novice level the previous season. Bubby and Cola crowned their first season together winning the BE seven-year-old championship at Osberton. They contested their first 5* at Pau in 2021 and in 2022 and 2023 completed Badminton.