Badminton Horse Trials was saddened to hear of the passing of Biddy Wingfield Digby, the last of those that rode at the first event in 1949.
Biddy was one of a handful of women to compete at the inaugural Badminton Horse Trials and like many of her fellow 22 competitors had never previously undertaken a dressage test. 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 Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
Having walked the much-anticipated cross country twice Biddy’s Badminton was sadly curtailed following the final roads and tracks when her horse became unwell and had to be withdrawn.
Whilst Biddy became a well-known rider of point-to-points, a Master of the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale and a leader of the Pony Club, she once 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.