Zara Phillips gets second ride into Badminton from waiting list

As acceptance for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials closed last night, a remarkable 38 horses on the waiting list had been offered the chance to run.

In the letter sent to the riders and owners of entered horses, event director Hugh Thomas explained that in the past six years the “drop out” rate has been between 16 and 27.

But yesterday Julia Crowson, who was 38th on the original waiting list with Jakata, became the final person to come off the list.

The original draw included the riders down to 33rd on the waiting list. Riders who have got into the event from further down than this have replaced others who have withdrawn and taken over their numbers.

A few riders still have three horses in the draw — competitors can only ride two horses, but can “double enter” and choose which ones to run nearer the time. This decision can be left as late as Wednesday, but only two horses can be brought to the event and to the first horse inspection.

Among the most high profile beneficiaries of the waiting list is Zara Phillips’s second horse, Glenbuck. He has come off the waiting list and is number 19, which, after withdrawals, means he is due to be the 11th horse to start. Zara also has Ardfield Magic Star towards the end of the draw.

Badminton draw

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.