Fifty-seven horses will contest the final phase of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials after being passed fit to continue at this morning’s final horse inspection (Sunday 10 May).
Jock Paget will not showjump his 2013 Badminton winner Clifton Promise as he did not present him to the ground jury at the trot-up. They had been in 10th place after cross-country.
“He was feeling his age [17] a bit this morning,” said Jock. “We did our normal workout and usually he doesn’t feel so stiff after a couple of minutes, but today he was. We thought we might get him through the trot-up, but he wasn’t going to jump well.”
Jock still has Clifton Lush in fifth on his dressage score of 40.8, less than a fence behind overnight leader Andrew Nicholson and Nereo (37.8).
Izzy Taylor is also down to just one ride after not presenting KBIS Briarlands Matilda, who picked up an overreach on the cross-country. She tweeted: “Sad not to present KBISInsurance Briarlands Matilda. She’s sore on an overreach, but will be back! Gutted for her after yesterday’s effort.”
Ireland’s Elizabeth Power had a worrying moment when September Bliss was sent to the holding box, but the 15-year-old thoroughbred gelding was accepted after trotting again. They were the only pair to be held.
Three other horses were withdrawn prior to the final horse inspection. These were Flora Harris’ Amazing VIII, Lucy Jackson’s Willy Do and Beanie Sturgis’ Lebowski.
Most horses looked to have come out of the cross-country extremely well. Andrew Nicholson had his hands full with Nereo, while Chilli Morning had an impressive glean on his coat. Ingrid Kilmke had her hands full with Horseware Hale Bob, as did Clare Abbott with Euro Prince and Nicolas Wettstein with Nadeville Merze.
King Eider may have caused the ground jury a moment of concern when he towed Louisa Milne Home back down the runway and headed straight for them, but Louisa managed to get ‘Duck’ back on track before any harm was done.
The first phase of the showjumping will get underway at 11.30am, with the top 20 riders jumping from 2.45pm. You can follow every rider’s round with us on H&H Live.
