‘Great disappointment’ as top contender withdrawn from this week’s Badminton Horse Trials

Oliver Townend has withdrawn Cooley Rosalent from this week’s Mars Badminton Horse Trials (6-10 May).

The pair would have started as second favourites behind Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, to whom they finished second at last year’s event.

“It is with great disappointment that we announce that we have had to withdraw Cooley Rosalent from Badminton,” said a statement from Oliver.

“We were hugely looking forward to being back at one of our favourite events and one where she has had great success.

“Thank you to Disy Ridgeon [Diana Ridgeon, the mare’s owner] for her support in this decision and to our team and sponsors for always standing by us, we are all gutted, but she has a bright future ahead of her.

“We wish everyone the best of luck and hope to be back for Burghley Horse Trials.”

Last year’s Badminton Horse Trials runner-up Cooley Rosalent has already had seven five-star starts, at 12 years old, and has finished in all the podium places. She was third at Maryland 5 Star in 2023 and won Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2024.

Oliver was seeking a second Badminton title – he won in 2009 on another grey, Flint Curtis, owned by Robert and Edward Nicholson.

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