British rider William Fox-Pitt will now head to US four-star event Rolex Kentucky next week (23-26 April) with just one horse, following the withdrawal of Freddie Mac (pictured).
William originally had three horses entered for the competition, but his only remaining contender for the event, and an attempt at his fourth Kentucky title, will be Bay My Hero.
Parklane Hawk was withdrawn earlier this month and he will instead head to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.
Freddie Mac will no longer make the trip to the States due to what William described to H&H as “an untimely set back”. Connections hope that the 11-year-old gelding will be ready for Luhmuhlen CCI4* in June instead.
Another high-profile withdrawal is Andreas Dibowski’s mount FRH Butts Avedon. The German rider made the decision after being unhappy with the period of time his horse would have to remain in US quarantine combined with the fact he would not be able to see him for three-and-a-half days. Andreas had hoped to reroute to Badminton, but was unable to gain a late entry.
Twelve horses have now been pulled from the event, taking the start list from the record entry of 91 down to 80 at present.
US rider Phillip Dutton has decided to save Mr Medicott for an autumn three-day event while Florida-based rider Jon Holling has broken his leg so has withdrawn Zatopek B. Buck Davidson is taking Copper Beech to Tattersalls CCI3* instead and HHS Cooley has suffered a small injury which rules him out of the competition for Californian Liz Halliday-Sharp. Four-star campaigner Manoir de Carneville, ridden by US rider Sinead Halpin is being saved for another event with Rio 2016 in mind. Other withdrawals include Zach Brandt (Cavallino Cocktail), Jennifer McFall (High Times) Emilee Libby (Nonsensical) and Maddy Mazzola (Mojito).
There is a strong British contingent making the trip to Kentucky this year. Zara Phillips will make her Kentucky debut with her World Equestrian Games and 2012 Olympic ride High Kingdom, while fellow first-timer Francis Whittington takes Easy Target. Nicola Wilson is also taking two horses — Watermill Vision and Annie Clover — and US-based Brit James Alliston rides Parker and Tivoli.
H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome will be reporting live from Kentucky, don’t miss her updates on www.horseandhound.co.uk
