Pippa Funnell and Karen Dixon may have to withdraw from Badminton after suffering bad falls at Belton
Two leading British riders may miss Badminton after suffering bad falls at Belton horse trials this weekend.
Pippa Funnell, [pictured right] reigning European champion and a hot favourite for Badminton with Supreme Rock, was catapulted from the saddle by her other Badminton ride Cornerman, when he pulled off a shoe and twisted in mid-air over the eighth fence.
He landed on her ankle and she was immediately taken to Grantham Hospital, where the ankle was put in plaster as a cautionary measure.
Pippa is seeing a specialisttoday (15 April) who will determine the extent of the damage and whether she will be well enough to ride.
“I’m not giving up yet,” she said.
Karen Dixon had already completed faultless rounds on her Badminton entrants, Too Smart and Uptotrix, when she suffered a crashing fall over the cross-country practice fence from an intermediate horse, Good Enough.
Karen is thought to have dislocated her shoulder – an old injury – and may have broken another bone. She, too, was seeing a specialist today, but hers are thought to be the worst injuries of the two.
Positive performances
Advanced winners at Belton, traditionally the main pre-Badminton advanced run, were Ruth Friend (Matthew ll), Leslie Law (Matt Butler), and Blyth Tait, who had a double with Ready Teddy and his Badminton ride Welton Envoy.
Of the Badminton horses, William Fox-Pitt’s two, Moon Man and Tamarillo (second) went well, as Jeanette Brakewell’s pair, Plantagenet Of Rushall (second) and Over To You (third).
Also in the money were Jo Marsh-Smith (Albie O’G) and Polly Jackson (Limestone Rise).
For full results, visit www.britisheventing.com
To date there have been only twowithdrawals from Badminton, Blyth Tait’s Eze and Kathryn Harris, who has stood down from competing after a bad fall at Burnham Market, with Keeper Of The Castle.
The order of running at Badminton is expected to be released this weekend can be found at www.badminton-horse.co.uk
