Badminton Horse Trials was saddened to hear of the passing of Biddy Wingfield Digby, one of the first women to compete at the inaugural Badminton Horse Trials in 1949.
Biddy was one of a handful of women to compete at the first ever event having never undertaken a dressage test like many of her fellow 22 competitors. Riding Brigadier Martin’s Black Boy, Biddy recalled her memories of the event which included the ever-popular drinks party hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort where her fellow guests included both Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth.
Having walked the cross country twice Biddy’s event was sadly curtailed following the final roads and tracks when her horse became unwell. Her borrowed groom had thought it helpful to give the horse 10lbs of corn the evening before cross country to aid his energy levels causing the horse to ‘not feel himself’ and his withdrawal before starting the much-anticipated cross country course.
Whilst Biddy became a well-known rider of point-to-points, a Master of the Blackford Vale and a key member of the Pony Club she has said that not completing Badminton became one of the biggest disappointments of her equestrian life.
A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Wednesday 23rd July at 3.30pm at Sherborne Abbey, Sherborne, Dorset.