Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson head a record New Zealand entries list for the Badminton horse trials in England this weekend.

Eight New Zealand riders on 12 horses are among an 85-strong field for the prestigious three-day event, led by two-time Olympic gold medallist Todd.

Todd, who will ride Grass Valley, won the first of his three Badminton titles 30 years ago and his last success there in 1996 remains the last time a New Zealander won Badminton.

Nicholson, who has contested Badminton a record 26 times without recording a win, will be competing on full brothers Nereo and Armada, as well as a third mount, Avebury.

Other New Zealand chances are Beijing Olympian combinations Caroline Powell and Lenamore and Joe Meyer and Snip, who are chasing the first prize of 60,000 pounds ($NZ129,840).

Meyer will also be competing on two other horses, Clifton Lush and Sanskrit.

Among the remaining New Zealand entrants are Dan Jocelyn on NZ Special Attorney, Bruce Haskell on Kiwi Smog, Neil Spratt on Upleadon and Annabel Wigley on Black Drum.

More than 150 horse and rider combinations from 15 countries entered the event, which means there is a long wait list, including New Zealanders Craig Nicolai on Just Ironic and Dan Jocelyn on Special Advocate.