The entries for this year's event are possibly one of the best we've ever had. With Pippa Funnell making her B
adminton comeback - six years after her 3rd win on Primmore's Pride and three years since her last Badminton run - she'll surely be in hot contention with her up and coming 10 year old, Redesigned, not to mention the mare Mirage d'Elle, who appears to be full of potential. Pippa is popular within the Eventing fans and all will be hoping for her to do well this year.
adminton comeback - six years after her 3rd win on Primmore's Pride and three years since her last Badminton run - she'll surely be in hot contention with her up and coming 10 year old, Redesigned, not to mention the mare Mirage d'Elle, who appears to be full of potential. Pippa is popular within the Eventing fans and all will be hoping for her to do well this year.
We've also got the ever-popular Mary King originally entering three horses into the competition; Apache Sauce, Imperial Cavalier and King's Temptress. All three are proven 4* horses and will all be in top contention for the number one spot. Mary hasn't won Badminton for eleven years, despite riding near enough every year - so we are all expecting her to come back even more competitive this year, no doubt still with her famous smile across her face.
When regarding contentio
n for the top spot we of course cannot rule out the almightily successful William Fox-Pitt. William originally entered five horses this year, but since has withdrawn Idalgo and Macchiato to leave him with Seacookie (2nd at Burghley 2010), Cool Mountain (2nd at Kentucky 2010) and Navigator (2nd at Pau 2010). With these three horses William is surely in top contention for the 2011 title, and the crowd will definitely be supporting him the whole way.
n for the top spot we of course cannot rule out the almightily successful William Fox-Pitt. William originally entered five horses this year, but since has withdrawn Idalgo and Macchiato to leave him with Seacookie (2nd at Burghley 2010), Cool Mountain (2nd at Kentucky 2010) and Navigator (2nd at Pau 2010). With these three horses William is surely in top contention for the 2011 title, and the crowd will definitely be supporting him the whole way.Other riders tipped for the title include New Zealand's Caroline Powell on Burghley 2010 winner Lenamore. The 17-year old grey may be a veteran in the sport now, but is showing n
o signs of ageing. With a flawless jumping technique the popular horse is always a contender for the Badminton title, yet could this year be his year?
o signs of ageing. With a flawless jumping technique the popular horse is always a contender for the Badminton title, yet could this year be his year?And of course we cannot forget our reigning champion Paul Tapner, returning this year with Kilfinnie II. Perhaps not one of the most well-known of horses at Badminton, yet gave a smooth clear round the Cross Country last year and if they can improve on last year's dressage score could easily climb up the scoreboard to a top spot.
I couldn't possibly predict any sort of result, as we often do get surprised! (Let me give the example of 2008; Clayton Fredericks coming a cropper at the Hexagon Hedge, Ruth Edge in the lake and both Pippa Funnell and Andrew Hoy falling at the Huntsman's Close). Yet other names up for contention could include 2009 winner Oliver Townend, Tina Cook, Ruth Edge, Nicola Wilson and Andrew Nicholson.
It is certainly looking to be another fantastic few days of Eventing at this year's Badminton.
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