With Rolex in the books, the eventing world’s collective eyes will now shift to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, which will have three fewer horses competing after both Andrew Nicholson and Pippa Funnell withdrew today.
Andrew said he withdrew his sole entry Nereo over concerns that his fitness level is not where it should be following his serious neck injury incurred in a fall at Gatcombe last August.
“I have reluctantly decided to withdraw Nereo from Badminton — through no fault of his own. I have doubts over my own fitness and ability to do him full justice at this point,” Andrew said in a statement released by Badminton.
“I successfully rode four horses in the advanced at Withington on Sunday, all of whom won prizes, but was aware I felt fatigued by the end of the seven-minute cross-country course. It would therefore not be sensible to attempt an 11 1/2-minute course at Badminton.
“I have every confidence my strength and fitness will continue to improve and, with the full support of Nereo’s owner Libby Sellar, we now plan to target Nereo towards significant events such as those in the exciting new Event Rider Masters series.”
Three-time Badminton winner Pippa Funnell also made the difficult decision to withdraw Second Supreme and Billy Aware after taking a hard fall from Sandman 7 at Withington Horse Trials on Sunday.
While Pippa was released from the hospital after two days of observation and testing, she said in a statement to Badminton that she feels she needs more time to recover.
“It’s devastating not only for myself but also for the owners, Jonathan and Jane Clarke and Marek Sebestak, my groom Frankie and the hard working team at home not to be able to compete at Badminton this year as I feel both my horses are in great form and the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials is one of the greatest events in the world,” Pippa said. “I very much hope to back competing again shortly.”
Hugh Thomas, Badminton Horse Trials Director, added: “We’re very disappointed for Pippa, her connections, and of course everyone who was so looking forward to seeing her ride at Badminton. All the team wish her well and hope she is back in the saddle soon.”
All horses and riders have been accepted off the waitlist for Badminton, including fan favorite Ben Hobday, who will take his “super cob” Mulrys Error to the competition after successfully beating Non-Hodgkin lymphoma last year.
The North American contingent is Boyd Martin and Crackerjack (USA), Buck Davidson and The Apprentice (USA), Libby Head and Sir Rockstar (USA), and Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee (CAN). Click here to see the Badminton entry list.
EN’s own Leslie Wylie will be your boots on the ground at Badminton this year, so keep it locked on EN as we bring you all the latest news from the event, including interviews with our North American riders, live updates, video links and much more.
The competition kicks off tomorrow with the first horse inspection, and if you missed the heartwarming story about how three eventers gave up their plane seats at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport to get Michael Jung to Badminton, click here to read it. Go Eventing.