World champion Zara Phillips has a great chance at Badminton on Toytown (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

World champion Zara Phillips has a great chance at Badminton on Toytown

11:47am Wednesday 6th May 2009

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THE Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials kick off on Thursday with the first of two days of top quality dressage, before the crowds converge on the Badminton Estate for the adrenaline-fuelled cross country round on Saturday.

Royal rider and world champion Zara Phillips is naturally one of the favourites to lift the trophy after the showjumping on Sunday, riding her World and European championship-winning horse Toytown.

Gatcombe-based Zara comes to Badminton armed with a recent Advanced win at Powderham and the backing of the local crowd, who will also see her ride Ardfield Magic Star.

All of Britain’s Olympic eventing team are expected to ride at Badminton, although Mary King has withdrawn her top horse Imperial Cavalier with a virus.

Mary still has a good chance with Apache Sauce, who came fourth at Burghley last year. William Fox-Pitt has entered Idalgo and Macciato, while Sharon Hunt and Daisy Dick will bring Olympic rides Tankers Town and Spring Along.

Unfortunately, former winner Mark Todd, who was due to compete at the event for the first time since 2000, has withdrawn NZB Gandalf because of a neck injury.

Dressage tests at Badminton begin at 9.30am on Thursday and Friday.

AS PART of the 60th anniversary celebrations, anyone who attended Badminton in 1949 has been invited for a complimentary drink. The function will be held on Friday, May 8 at 5pm. Please call 01454 218272 for more details.

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