Badminton Horse Trials withdrawals: five more horses scratched

Badminton Horse Trials withdrawals: Xavier Faer will, pictured at the event in 2017, not compete this year — Tim Price and Xavier Faer at Badminton 2017.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Xavier Faer is among the latest Badminton Horse Trials withdrawals, as the event presented by Mars Equestrian (4-8 May) draws closer.

The 16-year-old gelding, who is owned by Trisha and Sophie Rickards and his rider, New Zealand’s Tim Price, would have been a strong contender for a podium place – he was third here in 2017 and has since finished third and second at Kentucky Three-Day Event, in 2019 and 2021, and third at Maryland 5 Star last year.

These Badminton Horse Trials withdrawals mean four more pairs have been accepted to start the competition from the waiting list – Britain’s Alex Bragg with Michael and Naomi Roe’s King Of The Mill, Gloucestershire-based Swede Sofia Sjoborg on her own and her mother Juliet’s DHI Mighty Dwight, Britain’s Nicky Hill and her own MGH Bingo Boy and Ireland’s Elizabeth Power on Soladoun, the ex-racehorse who belongs to Richard Ames and his rider.

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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.

Former podium finisher and major sponsor’s horse among five more withdrawals from Badminton

Badminton final scores

“We’re very disappointed not to be able to be at the fabulous Badminton, but that is horses for you,” added Lauren.

Vermiculus was due to make his Badminton debut but he has been in the top 10 at Kentucky twice and was ninth at Burghley in 2019

French rider Sidney Dufresne has withdrawn Iris De Fleurieu’s Swing De Perdriat, who was 10th at Pau Horse Trials last year on the horse’s five-star debut.

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