IRELAND’s Padraig McCarthy will be fourth into the dressage arena and out of the start box at next month’s Badminton Horse Trials which take place from May 4th to 8th after a two-year Covid-19 enforced cancellation.

The draw for the competition was held this week and eight Irish riders are now on the start list, with Elizabeth Power moving off the wait list with Soladoun following a withdrawal. McCarthy will be the first of the eight out with his own 13-year-old mare Fallulah, followed straight after by Joseph Murphy with his first ride, The Way Forward Syndicate’s Cesar V. McCarthy also rides HHS Noble Call (drawn number 103), while Murphy was drawn number 116 with Calmaro.

Austin O’Connor and his Tokyo Olympic mount Colorado Blue (no 28) will be next, followed by Power with the ex-racehorse Soladoun (31), Cathal Daniels with Barrichello as number 33 and Sarah Ennis with Woocourt Garrison in 34th.

Badminton first-timer Susie Berry has been drawn 66th with John The Bull, and Clare Abbott starts at number 75 with Jewelent. Sam Watson remains on the wait list with Ballybolger Talisman, with 10 ahead of him.

Australia’s Harry Meade will be the pathfinder. Reigning champion Piggy March goes to Badminton with two Irish Sport Horses and is drawn number 19 with the 2019 champion Vanir Kamira, and 114 with Brookfield Inocent.

Course unveiled

Course designer Eric Winters unveiled his undulating track to the public this week. The course will run in an anti-clockwise direction, heading from the main arena in the direction of the HorseQuest Quarry (4abc) as this is a “smoother, flatter start which will help get horses going forward,” Winters said.

“It is an attacking course and will suit bold horses with scope and agility, as there are a lot of big fences with befits a five-star competition. Badminton has always traditionally been the best preparation for the international championships and this year will be no exception,” Winters commented.

After walking and previewing the course, 2017 winner Andrew Nicholson said it is “a proper cross-country, proper five-star. Eric has done a good job. It’s very fair.

“There are no surprises or blind corners and horses can see what they have to do, but it is big, intense and will take a bit of jumping. Riders will have to be at their best.”