WORLD'S BEST AT PRE-OLYMPIC BADMINTON
Olympic Connections
The world famous Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, which
run from May 1st - 4th, has always had
Olympic connections.
After the first London Olympiad in 1948, where the British team,
in the then somewhat new-fangled sport of Three Day Eventing,
didn't do too well. The 10th Duke of Beaufort offered
BadmintonPark as a venue for an annual practice competition to
sharpen up the British act and the first Badminton was in 1949. In
1952 at Helsinki GB won gold.
Badminton almost immediately became the pinnacle of the sport,
but still retains its role as an Olympic testing ground, now
employed by many nations.
Badminton, A Very International Event
At close of entries on Thursday 13th March there were
representatives of no fewer than fourteen countries, including
Brazil, Japan, Croatia, Italy, Denmark and the USA, hoping to make
the cut of 85 starters from an entry of 150. This year there is a
waiting list system, so that riders can move up the list for
contention till the Monday of the event.
Already the top of that list, World Champion Zara Phillips has
benefited from a withdrawal and can now start Ardfield Magic Star.
Badminton is now a very international Event. Some riders will be
staking their claim for an Olympic place, while others, secure in
their selection, will be running their second string horses.
Five Previous Winners
Event riders today seem to have a long shelf life, so there are
five previous winners of the Mitsubishi Trophy in the line up. Mary
King, who has publicly tipped herself to win, has entered Imperial
Cavalier and Appache Sauce. William Fox-Pitt has entered four to
pick two from, Balincoola, Macchiato, Parkmore Ed and former title
holder Tamarillo. Rodney Powell, who won on the Irishman in 1991
comes with Zin Zan II and Andrew Hoy, a Burghley winner as long ago
as 1979, comes with his 2006 Badminton winner Moon Fleet. It is
also great for the sport to see the return of Pippa Funnell at
Badminton, who runs Ensign.
The current Gallic star of eventing Nicholas Touzaint, double
European Champion, comes with Hildago de I'lle. Andrew Nicholson,
from New Zealand, who has ridden round the park an astonishing 26
times, but yet to win has three entered; Silbury Hill, Armada and
Ginger May Killinghurst.
Badminton Debutantes
Though the old pros keep coming back, there is always the
excitement of a group of Badminton debutantes. At this stage there
are only fourteen first timers but others may squeak in.
Full Entry List Updated Daily
The full list of accepted entries and the Waiting List can be
seen on http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/
– it will be updated daily.
In an Olympic year there is always an added frisson to Badminton
and 2008 looks a very hot competition. Advance ticket sales are at
a record high, so enthusiasts should get onto http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/
and book as soon as possible!
ENDS
Note:
Press Accreditation Closes 10th April
2008
Further
Information:
Julian Seaman, Badminton Press
Officer, 41 Gastein Road, London, W6 8LT
T: + 44 (0) 207 385 0591; F: + 44
(0) 207 386 9820; E: j.seaman2@sky.com
Also:
Mitsubishi Motors Press Office
T: + 44 (0) 1285 647200;
E: pressoffice@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk