Motherhood and elite sport 'is a big juggling act'

TL;DR

Olympic champion Ros Canter won the Badminton Horse Trials just 16 weeks after giving birth to her second child, making history as the first rider to win the event three times. She expressed gratitude for being able to balance motherhood and elite sport.

Key points

Ros Canter won Badminton Horse Trials 16 weeks after giving birth
First rider to win the event three times
Balancing motherhood and elite sport
Ros Canter is 40 years old
She is from Lincolnshire

Ros CanterBadminton Horse Trials

Ros Canter pictured with a pram and baby outside a stable. She is wearing a blue padded jacket and is standing next to a field enclosure.

Olympic champion Ros Canter is carrying on as normal, despite a few sleepless nights [Suzy Lawson/BBC]

When champion equestrian Ros Canter broke records at Badminton Horse Trials on Sunday, it was just 16 weeks after she had given birth to her second child.

Canter, from Lincolnshire, and Lordships Graffalo became the first rider and horse combination to win the prestigious event three times.

And the 40-year-old said she felt incredibly lucky to be able to compete while caring for her newborn daughter.

"It's a big juggling act. I knew when I was pregnant the timing might work for me to get back to Badminton, but I knew it might be a push. Life is very busy, but I do have fantastic people around me," she said.

A female rider on a brown horse clears a jump during a showjumping round. She is wearing a black jacket, white jodhpurs and a black riding helmet. The jump has green and white barriers. Green trees are in the background.

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo have formed a winning partnership [Getty Images]

Canter was back in the saddle a month after giving birth and competing again after eight weeks.

"It's fairly quick but... it's what my body knows," she explained.

"I ride every day so it didn't take too long to start to feel normal again.

"Fortunately for me, I had a fairly straightforward birth and I've just had a fantastic team of people around me."

The Olympic champion is managing to juggle motherhood and training despite a few sleepless nights.

Q&A

How did Ros Canter perform at the Badminton Horse Trials after giving birth?

Ros Canter won the Badminton Horse Trials, achieving this remarkable feat just 16 weeks after giving birth.

What record did Ros Canter break at the Badminton Horse Trials?

Ros Canter became the first rider to win the Badminton Horse Trials three times.

What challenges does Ros Canter face as a mother and elite athlete?

Ros Canter described motherhood and elite sport as a 'big juggling act,' highlighting the challenges of balancing competition with caring for her newborn.

How old is Ros Canter and where is she from?

Ros Canter is 40 years old and hails from Lincolnshire.