Another rider squeaks into Badminton Horse Trials from wait-list

Another rider has squeaked into this week’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials from the wait-list.

H&H was advised yesterday afternoon that Ben Hobday (14th on original wait-list) was the final rider accepted before the 2pm deadline.

But there had in fact been another last-minute withdrawal — first-timer Willa Newton has had to pull Neelix, letting in Sarah Bullimore and My Last One.

This is My Last One’s Badminton debut, after finishing 22nd at Burghley last year (pictured). Sarah has completed Badminton twice, including (as Sarah Longshaw) when she made her debut by riding Ballycotton to his seventh finish here (his others were with Andrew Harris). He set a new record for horse completions, now equalled by Over To You, Comanche and Lenamore.

Willa’s withdrawal leaves three British first-timers in the field: Tom McEwen (Dry Old Party), Jamie Atkinson (Celtic Fortune) and Louisa Milne Holme (King Eider). Tom, 21, is also the youngest rider.

Badminton entries (combinations marked WL have not been accepted from the wait-list and will not run)

Don’t miss the second part of H&H’s Badminton preview — a 16-page pull-out with form guide and a scorecard to fill in for every rider — on sale this Thursday, 2 May.

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.