Defending Badminton Horse Trials champion London 52 has been withdrawn from this year’s event, his rider Laura Collett was “absolutely gutted” to announce.
Laura confirmed today (18 April) that the 14-year-old would not defend his title at the 2023 CCI5*, presented by Mars Equestrian (4-8 May).
H&H reported yesterday that London 52 had suffered a setback in his training so could not run at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials on Sunday (16 April) as planned, but that Laura intended to run him at Kelsall Hill this Saturday instead.
“He struck into himself last week and was very sore,” Laura said today. “Thankfully with some special shoes from @greigelliott he is now sound and back in work but he has missed all his prep runs… after many sleepless nights I’ve decided that it’s just not meant to be this year.
Badminton final scores
“London 52 owes me absolutely nothing and I owe it to him to make the right decision and I know deep down that this is the right decision even though it’s heartbreaking.”
Laura said the main thing is that London is fine, and she will now reroute to Luhmühlen in June.
“I am so grateful to have the memories from our Badminton win last year and hopefully Dacapo can repeat what London 52 did last year,” she said.
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Laura was 78th in the Badminton draw, made yesterday, on 14-year-old Dacapo, with whom she won the Burnham Market CSI4*-S last weekend, leading from the start.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
