Fox-Pitt has Full Hand of Badminton Entries

William Fox–Pitt, the winner of a record 40 Three Day Events, including the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in 2004, has no fewer than five horses entered for the 2011 renewal. He can choose his two rides from Cool Mountain, Idalgo, Macchiato, Navigator and Seacookie.

The Trials, which run over the Easter weekend from April 21st to 25^th, have entries from twelve nations with a strong squad from Germany including Andreas Dibowski with FRH Fantasia and Ingrid Klimke on FRH Butts Abraxxas, both riders having been in the top 3 here previously. New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson, Badminton’s most ‘capped’ rider, with 29 completions but yet to win it, has three on the list with Avebury, Armada and Nereo, his individual World Equestrian Games Bronze Medallist, while double Olympic Gold Medallist Mark Todd’s continued comeback is represented with the choice of Major Milestone, NZB Land Vision and NZB Grass Valley.

This year the event has been extended by a day (Thursday 21^st April) to allow for the Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championships (for amateur/weekend riders), with all the tradestands open for business and an opportunity for spectators to walk the cross country course.

 

The USA has one of its largest contingents for many years with six, including the son of previous winner Bruce Davidson. Also named Bruce, ‘Buck’ Davidson comes with Ballynoe Castle RM.

 

Three members of Canada’s WEG Silver winning team are crossing the Pond: Hawley Bennett-Awad (Gin and Juice), Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch (Port Authority) and Selina O’Hanlon (Colombo).

 

On the home front Tina Cook comes with her 2009 European Champion Miners Frolic, Piggy French has her WEG ride Jakarta and her European Silver Medallist mount Some Day Soon. Triple Badminton winner Pippa Funnell returns for the first time since 2008 with two, Redesigned and Mirage d’Elle.

                                                                                                                                            
Two other previous winners, Mary King and Oliver Townend each have a choice from three with Kings Temptress, Imperial Cavalier and Apache Sauce and ODT Master Rose, Ashdale Cruise Master and Carousel Quest respectively.

 

Of the first timers the one to watch will be Laura Collett who has a golden trail through the age specific ranks and comes with Rayef, whereas James Robinson, a practising vet, will keep the flag flying for the amateur with his horse of a lifetime. This will be Comanche’s ninth start at Badminton.

 

Others deserving an each way bet include Daisy Berkeley with the evergreen Spring Along and Lucy Wiegersma and her 2008 runner up Shaabrak.

 

With London 2012 only just over a year away International team managers will be looking to Badminton this year for affirmation of their plans.

 

The Badminton Box Office is open for advance bookings until 11^th April and full details of the timetable and all of the entered horses and riders are on the website http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/.  After 11^th April, spectators can still pay at the gate on the day, though availability of seats for the last day’s show jumping should be checked with the Box Office.

 

Source: Badminton Horse Trials