LADY LEMON IS ONE OF FOUR

Lady Lemon (no. 57), the ride of Andreas Ostholt (GER) is the highest placed of just four mares that are entered at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. It is the first Badminton appearance for the 11-year-old Hanoverian mare and her rider, an Army Officer and instructor who is based at the riding school in Warendorf.  “I am very happy to be here – it has always been my aim,” said Andreas whose brother Frank has been a member of the German team for the last three years with Air Jordan. “I was very happy with her test although I am still undecided about my ruote round the course – there are two or three questions, such as Huntsman Close (fence 5) and The Blue Cross Round Tops (fence 12) that I have yet to work out.”

Fachoudette (no. 52) ridden by Georgie Davies is at this stage the highest placed mare representing Britain. The combination ran as individuals as part of the British squad that contested the European Championships in Pratoni last year although this is their first Badminton – Georgie had to withdraw at the last minute last year when the mare developed a foot abscess. The 15-year-old French bred mare, an Anglo Arab by Kachou, has been ridden by Georgie for eight seasons. “We put her in foal last year and she now has an embryo transfer foal by Jaguar Mail due next month which is very exciting,” said Georgie.

Italian rider Susanna Bordone rides the 16-year-old Australian bred mare Ava (no. 34). The experienced combination competed in the Athens Olympics in 2004, were 24th here in 2006 and 24th at last year’s European Championships.

Little Tiger not only has the accolade of being the only British-bred mare competing here this year but at 15hh is also the smallest. The grey by the Thoroughbred Java Tiger, who lives up to her name, completed here last year with her rider 23-year-old rider, Phoebe Buckley.