Badminton set for clash of the titans
BADMINTON this year is set to be a showdown between two of eventing’s great campaigners.
Last year’s winner, Nereo, and the 2016 victor, La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, are entered for the event (2-6 May) with their usual riders, New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson and Germany’s Michael Jung, respectively.
“It’s a very strong field and we’re looking forward to an exciting event,” said Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials director Hugh Thomas.
“It’s always nice to see previous winners back and to have the past two is terrific. It doesn’t happen often, horses being what they are, and it will be interesting as they are both now 18.”
Paulank Brockagh, ridden by Australia’s Sam Griffiths, is the third returning equine winner, having triumphed in 2014.
GOLD MEDALLISTS
THREE members of Britain’s gold medal-winning European Championships team are in the mix, with Oliver Townend holding an entry for Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class. Competitors can only ride two horses, so Oliver will have to choose which of his four horses get the nod.
Tina Cook has three horses listed and has said she may take Billy The Red to Kentucky, leaving Star Witness and Calvino II as her Badminton runners. Ros Canter brings forward her European horse Allstar B.
Nicola Wilson is a notable
absentee from Badminton with her European team gold and individual bronze medallist Bulana, but British riders do not have to compete at the Gloucestershire four-star as part of the selection process for the World Equestrian Games (WEG). Therefore, some may prefer to contest three-stars or choose other four-stars over Badminton.
World class performance manager Dickie Waygood said: “The riders sit down with [coach] Chris Bartle and me and go through their horses’ programmes, but it’s down to them to make the decision about where their horses go, in collaboration with their owners. They need to come up with a plan that suits their horse as they work towards getting selected for WEG, which is their first priority for the year.”
There will be raised eyebrows at the fact previous Badminton winners Pippa Funnell and William Fox-Pitt are on the wait-list, but the ballot is based on FEI points won by horses over the previous two years, and both Pippa’s ride Billy Beware and William’s Fernhill Pimms have had time on the sidelines since their top-10 four-star results.
But fans should see both riders at Badminton as with just 14 horses wait-listed, it is almost certain all will be able to compete.