EQUESTRIAN:The Badminton Horse Trials, regarded as the premier four-star competition in the sport, was cancelled because of the recent heavy rain and an adverse forecast.
A statement issued by event director Hugh Thomas said: “The recent exceptional rainfall has left the ground at Badminton totally waterlogged and partially flooded. Further rain is due this week leaving no chance of the ground drying out.
“Very sadly therefore the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials has been cancelled.”
Last called off because of the weather in 1987, Badminton was of special significance this year with many nations using it as a key Olympics trial.
Britain’s William Fox-Pitt will rue its loss more than most as he was aiming for the $350,000 (€265,000) Rolex Eventing Grand Slam having won Burghley last autumn and Kentucky this past weekend.
In both instances the Devon-based rider partnered Catherine Witt’s New Zealand thoroughbred Parklane Hawk.
–MARGIE MCLOONE
