Contents

PRESS RELEASE - 25th March 2004

FASCINATING ENTRIES AT DIVERSE BADMINTON

In this Olympic year the entries for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (29th April – 2nd May) could not be more intriguing. As ever the superstars of Eventing are out in force, some on their Olympic prospects, others hoping to win the sport’s richest prize (£ 40,000) on another of their international mounts.

This year, however, it would be impossible to do an identikit of a typical Badminton entrant. That ‘ideal’ is of course there in the form of reigning Champion Pippa Funnell, with a choice of four horses at entry stage, William Fox-Pitt, Jeanette Brakewell, Tina Cook, and earlier previous winner Rodney Powell. Pippa could do the impossible (again) and Rodney could roll back the clock to 1991, but the odds must be on a new name adorning the Mitsubishi Trophy.

There are Burghley winners in William Fox-Pitt and Andrew Nicholson, while individual Olympic Champion Matt Ryan would dearly love to win the Big One for the first time, but also the field this year includes an amazing cross-section of the sport, who have all found themselves in the top hundred or so of Eventing’s elite eligible to compete at Badminton.

There are no fewer than thirty four riders, (one third) for whom this will be a new experience, and another three who have started the event before but not finished. Thirteen riders each come from Australia and New Zealand - the Antipodeans are beginning to show their strength in depth.

As ever there is a big international flavour with twelve countries represented including a former British rider, Stephanie Thompson, making her debut for Germany and Badminton’s first Croation competitor, Pepo Puch with his European Championship ride Banville d’Ivoy.

A surprising fourteen mares are in the start list and two stallions, Internet, for New Zealand and Viceroy II (for Pippa Funnell).

Rider age is spread by the biggest margin in memory. Only nine riders are eligible for the best under twenty five prize with the youngest being twenty year old Bundy Philpot for New Zealand. Astonishingly however there are six riders over twice that age. Taking the cigar is fifty six year old John Marsden, closely followed by the perennial Eddy Stibbe (55).

As for the horses, Amanda Ratcliffe rides the seventeen year old Foxground Dusky Song and for Ireland the evergreen The Yellow Earl, with Virginia McGrath kicks off at eighteen, twice the age of the youngest equine entry.

Also to watch out for are new combinations, with established horses moving from known pilots to new ones. Caroline Pratt was bought the former Vicky Brake ride Call Again Cavalier, while Chris King steps into the saddles of no less than Lucinda Green and Leslie Law with Miss de Meena and Brer Rabbit. Matthew Wright takes the ride on Mallards Treat from Andrew Nicholson. (Eddy Stibbe rides Dusky Moon, formerly the ride of Phillip Dutton, while Karen Donckers rides Chumbawumba, who used to be ridden by Michael Pollard.

This will be a Badminton with a difference where the lower placings and performances will be nearly as interesting as the conclusion at the top end.

**ENDS**

ENTRIES FOR THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS 2004

Great Britain:

Emily Baldwin, Welton Sparkle
Lamberhurst, Kent. Owner: Miss Jill Barker Lamberhurst, Kent

Kitty Boggis, Five Boys
Bampton, Oxon. Owners: Mr. & Mrs. David Tolley Kingston Lisle, Oxon Mr. & Mrs. P. Ryan Cobham, Surrey, and Rider

Vicky Brake, Charlton Connor
Salisbury, Wilts. Owners: Mrs. Pam Brake Salisbury, Wilts., Whatley Manor Hotel Malmesbury, Wilts. & Rider

Jeanette Brakewell, Over To You
Melton Mowbray, Leics. Owners: Mr. Richard Holdsworth Huby, Leeds

Emilie Chandler, Bridgestone
Melton Mowbray, Leics. Owner: Rider

Kristina Cook, Archrival II (double entry with Captain Christy)
Worthing, W. Sussex. Owner: J&E Sedgwick & Co Ltd. Rudgwick, West Sussex
and Captain Christy (double entry with Archrival II) Owner: J&E Sedgwick & Co Ltd. Rudgwick, West Sussex; Owner: Mrs. Judy Gardner Ashdon, Essex

Sarah Cutteridge, Exclusive Imp
Linford, Leicester Owner: Mrs. Anne Marshall Peterborough, Cambs
and The Wexford Lady Owner: Preci-Spark Ltd. Lowesby, Leicester

Tim Davies, Quackers
Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk Owner: Rider

Daisy Dick, Spring Along
Reading, Berks. Owner: Mrs. David Dick Reading, Berks. & Rider

Karen Dixon, MBE, Uptotrix
Barnard Castle, Co. Durham. Owner: Mrs. Jack Brignall Brough, East Yorks. Mrs Charlotte Straker Hexham, Northumberland, & Rider

Jon Evans, Royal Brigadoon
Sparsholt, Wantage. Owner: Mrs. Serena Sissons Wantage, Oxon

Neil Fox, Young Thomas
Delamere, Cheshire. Owner: Mrs. Jenni Leah Alderley Edge, Cheshire

William Fox-Pitt, Ballincoola (Moon MaSn Stur
Sturminster Newton, Dorset. Owners: Mr. Michael Payne, Arkesden, Essex,Mrs. Judy Skinner Stocking Pelham, Herts
and Coastal Ties(double entry with Moon Man & Tamarillo)Owner: Lady Kelvedon Essex
and Moon Man(double entry with Coastal Ties & Ballincoola) Owner: Mrs Sally Johnson Tetbury, Glos.
and Tamarillo (double entry with Coastal Ties & Ballincoola) Owner: The Hon Mrs. Mary Guinness Chute, Hants

Pippa Funnell, Cornerman (double entry with Jurassic Rising & Viceroy II)
Dorking, Surrey. Owner: The Cranston Dykebeck Syndicate Wymondham, Norfolk
and Jurassic Rising (double entry with Cornerman & Walk on Star) Owner: Mrs. Anne Burnet Henfield, W. Sussex
and Viceroy II (double entry with Cornerman & Walk on Star) Owners: Mrs. Susan Bunn Hassocks, Sussex, Miss Lizzie Bunn Hassocks, Sussex
and Walk On Star (double entry with Jurassic Rising & Viceroy II) Owner: Mr. & Mrs. NJC Walkinshaw Wincanton, Somerset

Rebecca Gibbs, Irish Rose
Dorking, Surrey Owner: Mrs. Rosemary Prosser Dorking, Surrey

Sharon Hunt, Tankers Town
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Owner: Rider

Laurence Hunt, Proud Ginger Rider
Welford, Northants Owner: Rider

Polly Jackson, Red Quest
Kinoulten, Notts Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Stephen West London,
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Jackson Kinoulten, Notts.
and Two For Joy Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Paul Jackson Kinoulten, Notts

Chris King, Brer Rabbit, Mr. & Mrs. John Bennet Aylesbury, Bucks
Swindon, Wiltshire Owners:Mr. & Mrs. John Bennet Aylesbury, Bucks
and Miss De Meena IV Owner: Windsor Clive International Marlborough, Wilts.

Leslie Law, Shear H2O Owner: Shearwater Insurance Waltham Cross, Herts, Mr. & Mrs.
Upton upon Severn, Worcs. Jeremy LawtonWaltham Cross, Herts

Vanessa Lloyd-Davies, MBE, Don Giovanni II
Market Harborough, Leics. Owner: Rider

Emily Mackenzie, Doubtless William
Chew Stoke, Bristol; Owner: Cmdr. RJB Sutton Dorchester, Dorset & Rider

John Marsden, Shillelagh Gold
Henbury, Cheshire; Owner: Mr. Richard Bangham Massachussetts, USA

Antoinette McKeowen, Two-O-Two
Andover, Hants. Owner: Mrs. Dinah Murdoch Andover, Hants

Elliot Newman, Clover Spring
Thatcham, Berks. Owner: Rider

Claire Phillips, Capuchin
Wrexham, Wales; Owner: Bryn Hall Country Furniture Wrexham, Wales & Rider

Rodney Powell, Major Sweep a
Swindon, Wilts Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Rex Boucher Sittingbourne, Kent & Mrs. Nel Buckler Bridport, Dorset.

Caroline Pratt, Call Again Cavalier
Middlewich, Cheshire; Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Davies Ballasalla, Isle of Man & Miss Janette Chinn Nantwich, Cheshire
and Primitive Control Owner: Mr. & Mrs. R.B. Kinsey Middlewich, Cheshire

Amanda Ratcliffe, Foxground Dusky Song
Salisbury, Wilts. Owner: Rider

James Robinson, Comanche
Leominster, Herefords. Owner: Mrs. Joy Robinson Leominster, Herefordshire

Tom Robinson, Conspicuous
Bicester, Oxon. Owner: Miss Tamsin Nowell Smith Thame, Oxon

Marie Ryan, Penny Royal III
How Caple, Hereford, Owner: Mrs. Jennie Sleet Norwich, Norfolk & Rider
and Sparrow Hall Owner: Mrs. Jennie Sleet Norwich, Norfolk & Rider

Carolyne Ryan-Bell, Admiral Bruny
Abbots Morton, Worcs. Owner: Mrs. Carolyn Taylor Aylesbury, Bucks & Mrs. Gillian Morris-Adams Brill, Bucks & Rider

Darrell Scaife, Chase The Melody
Devizes, Wilts. Owner: Mrs. Sue Benson Devizes, Wilts & Mrs. Jane Joynson Malmesbury, Wilts

Heidi Simmons, The Biz
York; Owner: Rider

Polly Stockton, Eyespy II
Malpas, Cheshire Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Mike Cooney Co. Cork, Ireland
and Tangle Man Owner: Mr. Chris Stockton Malpas, Cheshire & Jonathan & Sue Clarke Malpas, Cheshire & Rider

Bumble Thomas, The Psephologist
Aylesbury, Bucks Owner: Ms. Richenda Broad Callington, Cornwall & Mr. Colin Rallings Callington, Cornwall

Nick Turner, Rongotai
Biggleswade, Beds Owner: Mrs. Barbara Cassani Biggleswade, Beds. & Mr. John Steans & Biggleswade, Beds. Rider

Nicola Tweddle, Master Couture
Northallerton, N. Yorkshire; Owner: Mrs. Krista Brown York

Captain Richard Waygood, SkiverLady Milnes Coates York
Windsor, Berks. Owner: Lady Milnes Coates York
and Master Fred Owner: Miss Ann Colliass Brackley, Northants

Polly Williamson, Topping
Chippenham, Wilts Owner: The Hon. William Russell Malmesbury, Wilts & Jupiter London

Alan Winter, Kelson Endeavour
Wraxall, North Somerset Owner: Rider

Matthew Wright, All The Best II (double entry with In The Purple)
Retford, Notts Owner: Mr. Ian Youdan Retford, Notts
and In The Purple (double entry with All The Best II) Owner: Miss Jane Starkey Radway, Warwick & Mrs. Ann Starkey Radway, Warwick
and Mallards Treat Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Ray Carroll Blackboy, Sussex


AUSTRALIA .. ..

Chris Burton, Woodmount Spry
NSW, Australia; Owner: Rider

Clayton Fredericks, Mr. Moonstone
Devizes, Wilts. Owner: Col Mark Milligan Devizes, Wilts.

Sam Griffiths, Chamois IV
Salisbury, Wilts. Owner: Miss Fiona Dowding Wantage, Oxon
and Private Colin Owner: Mr David Hamilton Marlborough, Wilts. Miss Leela Patel, London

Andrew Hoy, Mr. Pracatan
Stroud , Glos. Owner: Mrs. Anona Young Egleton, Rutland & Rider

Megan Jones, Kirby Park Irish Hallmark (double entry with Kirby Park Irish Jester)
South Australia; Owner: Mrs. Emma Landale NSW, Australia & Mr. & Mrs. Peter Jones South Australia
and Kirby Park Irish Jester (double entry with Kirby Park Irish Hallmark) Owners: Mr. & Mrs. Peter Jones South Australia & Rider

Bill Levett, Minuto
Chipping Campden, Glos. Owner: Mrs. Angela Dimsdale Gill London & Rider
and Muddy Chuddy Owners: The Mudlark Syndicate Chipping Campden, Glos. & Rider

Samantha McLeod, Enchanted
NSW, Australia; Owner: Miss Fiona Hughes NSW, Australia & Mr. Lyndon McLeod NSW, Australia

Matt Ryan, Balmoral Mr. Slinky (double entry with Bonza Katoomba & Bonza Puzzle)
How Caple, Hereford. Owner: Miss Simone Kann How Caple, Hereford & Rider
and Bonza Katoomba (double entry with Balmoral Mr. Slinky) Owners: Mr. Malcolm Sleet Diss, Norfolk & Rider
and Bonza Puzzle (double entry with Balmoral Mr. Slinky) Owner: Mrs. Anne Pople Kilcot, Glos. & Rider

Paul Tapner, Highpoint
Swindon, Wilts. Owners: Miss Sarah Smith Wotton under Edge, Glos. & Rider

BELGIUM:

Karin Donckers, Chumbawumba
Hoogstraten, Belgium Owners: Mr. Vic Donckers & Mrs. Lea Sterkens Hoogstraten, Belgium &
Mr. Carl Bouckaert Georgia, USA

CROATIA:

Pepo Puch, Banville D'Ivoy
Thalheim, Austria Owners: Mr. Alfred Schwarzenbach Erlenbach, Switzerland & Mr. Xandl Sprinz Oberzeiring, Austria

FRANCE:

Bruno Bouvier, Elsa De Servins
St. Ettiene de Crossley, France Owner: Rider

Benoit Parent, Milcane
Saumur, France; Owner: Mr. Yves Parent Lons, France

Gilles Viricel, Blakring*Mili*HN
Fontainebleau, France; Owner: C.S.E.M. Font, France


GERMANY:

Stefanie Thompson, Hilton Star
Banbury, Oxon Owner: Limehouse & Co. Rugby, Warwicks. & Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Thompson Rugby, Warwicks, & Miss Gillian Watson Great Missenden, Bucks.


IRELAND:

Sherelle Duke, L.A. Temple Bar
Co. Armagh, N. Ireland Owner: Mrs. Sonya Rowe Co. Armagh, N. Ireland & Mrs. Vina Buller Co. Down, N. Ireland.

Becky George, Wee Hot Toddy
Co. Armagh, N. Ireland Owner: Mr. Declan Cullen Co. Armagh, N. Ireland & Mr. Alfred Buller Co. Down, N. Ireland

Virginia McGrath, The Yellow Earl
Co. Kildare, Ireland; Owners: Mr. Neil McGrath Co. Kildare, Ireland & Rider

Eric Smiley, Macloud
Co. Down, Ireland; Owners: Mr. Paul Monaghan Co. Down, N. Ireland & Mrs. Sue Smiley Co. Down, N. Ireland & Rider


NETHERLANDS ANTILLES:.

Eddy Stibbe, Autumn Breeze III (double entry with Autumn Sunrise)
Sandy, Beds. Owners: Mr. & Mrs. D. Stibbe Vught, Holland & Rider
and Autumn Sky (double entry with Dusky Moon) Owners: Mrs Debbie Brookes Sandy, Beds. & Rider
and Autumn Sunrise (double entry with Autumn Breeze III) Owners: Mrs. Debbie Brookes Sandy, Beds. & Rider
and Dusky Moon (double entry with Autumn Sky) Owners: Mr. & Mrs. D. Stibbe Vught, Holland & Rider

NEW ZEALAND:

Sarah Broughton, Money Train
Huntly, New Zealand; Owner: Rider

Megan Finlayson, Lion Heart
Northland, New Zealand Owners: Mrs. Rhoda Finlayson Northland, New Zealand & Rider

Kate Hewlett, Internet
East Lockinge, Wantage; Owners: Mr. & Mrs. J. Bayly Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Kate Lambie, Nufarm Alibi
Auckland, New Zealand Owner: Lambie Syndicate Auckland, New Zealand

Andrew Nicholson, Fenico
Marlborough, Wilts. Owners: Mr. Ramon Beca Sevilla, Spain & Mrs.Wiggy Fox-Pitt arlborough, Wilts. & Rider
and Flush Banker Owners: Mrs. Jane Marsh Bude, Cornwall & Rider
and Lord Killinghurst Owners: Mr. & Mrs. Robin Salmon Tetbury, Glos. & Rider

Bundy Philpott, Scot Free
Hamilton, New Zealand; Owner: Mr. Bryan Philpott Stowmarket, Suffolk

Caroline Powell, Softly Softly III
Roxburghshire, Scotland; Owners: Lady Howick Alnwick, Northumberland & Rider

Tim Price, Desamoray
North Canterbury, New Zealand Owners: Colin and Raewyn Price North Canterbury, New Zealand & Rider

Jonelle Richards, Mazetto
Christchurch, New Zealand; Owners: Mr & Mrs. Tim Morice Motueka, New Zealand & Rider

Heelan Tompkins, Ambrose
New Plymouth, New Zealand Owner: Miss Rachael Brown New Plymouth, New Zealand

Kate Wood, Witch Doctor
Whangarei, New Zealand; Owner: Rider


SWEDEN:

Anna Hilton, Limerik Star
Sandhurst, Kent Owners Mrs. Marion Hilton Goudhurst, Kent & Rider

Hermine Waugh, Spartan King
Andover, Hants. Owner: Rider


SWITZERLAND:

Rudolf Isler, Emma Jane II
Meilen, Switzerland Owner: Gianna Olivier

Heinz Wehrli, Trumpet Pierre
Co. Cork, Ireland; Owners: Mr. & Mrs. Heinz Wehrli Co. Cork, Ireland & Geraldine Hourihan


U.S.A.:

Cindy Rawson, Ashdale David's Way
Chippenham, Wilts Owners: Mr Donald Collier Connecticut, USA & Mr Robert Futh Connecticut, USA

(104 horses entered - March 28, 2004)