Georgie Spence withdraws from Badminton Horse Trials
Georgie Spence (pictured) has withdrawn her final horse from the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials after injuring herself at Weston Park last weekend.
The 21-year-old suffered a fall with Skylight, which left her with torn muscles in her right arm.
“The mare left a leg at the corner, landed on me and then kicked me as she got up,” said Georgie. “I hope to be riding again in a week, but I will take it day by day.”
Georgie went for X-rays after the fall, but hadn’t broken anything.
“I thought that was great news, but I’ve been told muscle can be harder to heal than bone,” she said. “The doctor at the hospital told me to get it out of the sling and start moving it. At least the World Class support means I have physio regularly.”
Badminton final scores
Georgie had three horses entered for Badminton — Running Brook II, who had been accepted from second place on the waiting list, Birthday Night and Skylight.
The two geldings were withdrawn due to issues with their own fitness, Georgie reported on her website: “Birthday Night missed some time in March and although he is back in work now we do not feel he will be fit enough to compete. Running Brook has knocked his splint bone and will also be unable to compete.”
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Georgie completed her first Badminton in 2008 with Running Brook II, when she won the best first-timer and under-25 prizes, and finished with both that horse and Birthday Night last year, after two clear rounds inside the time across country.
H&H’s online diarist Sarah Stretton, who had 15 stitches in her knee after a fall at Swalcliffe last month, has also withdrawn her ride, Lazy Acres Skip On.
Other withdrawals from Badminton so far are: Harry (Bruno Bouvier), Liberal (Tom Crisp), Poilu (Zara Phillips), Master Banks (Nicola Wilson) and Vortex (Tim Price).
Horses down to 11th on the waiting list have now been accepted to run at Badminton. Runners who withdraw will continue to be replaced by those on the waiting list up to 6pm on Tuesday, 27 April.
Full report of Weston Park in H&H on Thursday (15 April).
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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.