Two Irish riders are among the latest Mars Badminton Horse Trials withdrawals as competitors start to arrive at the park ahead of this week’s event (6-10 May).
Susie Berry has withdrawn her own, Anne Marling and Sue Wilkinson’s Clever Trick, having had falls from the mare on her two most recent runs, at Thoresby and Kelsall Hill. The pair were 29th at Badminton last year.
“Absolutely gutted for ‘Owl’, her owners and my team that we’ve sadly had to withdraw from Badminton,” said Susie. “The start of the season just hasn’t gone the way we wanted.
“She’s very special to me, as are all my horses, and it’s important to me that she goes to an event like this feeling 110%. Hopefully we’ll be back on form soon.”
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Susie wished everyone the best of luck and said she couldn’t wait to be supporting partner Max Warburton, who rides Deerpairc Revelry, from the sidelines.
Fellow Irish rider Joseph Murphy has pulled out Belline Fighting Spirit, owned by Richard and Tanya Ames, Alan Bell and Annette O’Callaghan.
“After having a setback during the spring, Spirit hasn’t had the preparation time he needed to be ready, so we’ve decided to save him for another day,” he said.
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“A huge thank you to Annette, Alan and Richard for supporting this decision and always putting Spirit’s best interests first. We will regroup, make a plan, and look ahead to later in the summer.
“Wishing the rest of the competitors all the best of luck for the week.”
One of Cosby Green’s horses is also among the latest Badminton Horse Trials withdrawals – the Dorset-based US rider has pulled out her parents Clay and Eddie’s Highly Suspicious, but she will still start on Heather Morris’s Jos Ufo De Quidam.
How to watch and listen to Badminton Horse Trials
To watch Badminton Horse Trials live or via catch up, including the trot-ups, from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world, you need a 2026 Badminton TV Pass. Badminton TV is once again powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £22.99. Go to badminton-horse.tv to sign up. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. Also check out the Badminton app, which provides free live results and much more this year. Sign up for Badminton Plus membership for £4.99 to access the live Radio Badminton broadcast and receive exclusive offers from on-site exhibitors. Search for Badminton Horse Trials in your app store.
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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.
