Bicton Horse Trials withdrawals: one horse pulled out before cross-country

Bicton Horse Trials withdrawals: Padraig McCarthy and Leonidas II, who was withdrawn before cross-country — Padraig McCarthy and Leonidas II at Bicton five-star.

(Image credit: Nico Morgan)

One horse has joined the Chedington Bicton Horse Trials withdrawals list ahead of today’s five-star cross-country action.

Irish rider Padraig McCarthy has pulled Leonidas II out of the competition because he hopes to compete at the European Eventing Championships in Avenches, Switzerland, later this month.

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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.

One horse withdrawn from Bicton five-star before today’s cross-country

“He’s shortlisted for the Europeans with a very strong chance of going,” Padraig told H&H. “The selection is on Monday so we thought we’d save him for that.”

“He definitely brightened up when he went in and saw some of the cross-country jumps in the arena – that’s really his thing – but I think it helped him a little bit, he showed off more,” said Padraig after his test.

“His last change with maybe a little bit late, but on the whole I think I was really pleased with him.”

Padraig will still ride the grey HHS Noble Call, a 10-year-old five-star first-timer owned by Pearl Chaffe and his rider. He holds 23rd place on 34.9 going into the cross-country and will start at 12.46pm today.

Padraig said after his test on HHS Noble Call: “He has been very difficult in that phase – he’s a horse that has a lot of nervous energy.

Today’s cross-country action at Bicton starts at 12.30pm, when David Doel will be first on course with Ferro Point.

Dressage leaders Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On are the penultimate pair on course, starting at 3.34pm.

Assuming no more horses join the Bicton Horse Trials withdrawals list, there will be 31 cross-country starters today.

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