Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High see a dream come true. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
The latest in a spate of withdrawals from next week’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is Canada’s Selena O’Hanlon, who was aiming for a visit with her seasoned campaigner Foxwood High.
Owned by John and Judy Rumble, the sixteen-year-old Canadian Sport Horse (Rio Bronco W x Evita II) finished 24th in his debut at the venue last season, before capping off his season with a clear round at the World Equestrian Games. With wins at Red Hills and Bromont CCI4*-S amongst their prep runs, they were certainly among the crowd favourites for a great placing this year. Selena and her head groom, Anne-Marie Duarte, had been working hard on public fundraisers to offset the cost of the trip.
“Sadly, Woody didn’t feel quite right during his last gallop prepping for Badminton,” Selena told EN. “Although Team Woody is very disappointed not to tackle Badminton 2019, we look forward to bringing Woody out later this year.”
Team work really does make the dream work: Mark Todd congratulates Selena O’Hanlon on a great round. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Selena and Woody have once again based themselves at Mark Todd‘s Wiltshire base, Badgerstown, this spring. Their withdrawal means that Ireland’s Michael Ryan and his longtime partner Dunlough Striker have been accepted to start at the prestigious competition. Eleven riders have been accepted from the waitlist so far, while two have opted to withdraw from it. Ten combinations remain waitlisted, including Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack, who are currently second on the list.
The EN team wishes Woody a speedy return to form and a safe journey home.
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