Zara pulls out

Well, some of us will only know by the time we get there
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In some ways it's a shame she didn't wait to see what the ground is like tomorrow but with Toytown's history I don't blame her. I hope there aren't too many more who pull out tomorrow
 
Can't say I am suprised. I had decided to think she wasn't running then it would be a bonus if she did - That is my betting money lost then
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I really wanted her to run (and so did my purse!!) but it is definately the sensible thing, I admire her thought for her horse despite really wanting to complete
I think now one has dropped, they'll go like flies.
 
So why bother with the dressage? Don't get me wrong, I totally applaude anyone who wants to guard the welfare of their horse, but the weather forecast was not "it may rain, it may not", it was never going to rain prior to XC day. Yes i know a lot of eventers do this, but on the Badminton stage? Zara would have been fully aware of ground conditions, she only lives a few miles away, and the course was open to be walked prior to the dressage. So why not wait and see what changes the ground staff do and declare in the morning?
 
I totally get why she entered the dressage - it was nothing to do with raining or not, it was the fact that the competitors were told that the ground would be worked on and would be fine and so she entered the dressage fully expecting (and wanting) to carry on, I really do not think she went down that centre line thinking she would pull out.
So, Weezy I agree then why not give them a full chance and wait until morning - the ground is being worked on ALL night so seems a bit odd to do the dressage believing they will sort it and then not give them this last night.

To the person that mentioned balloting - I do not think that is fair - they entered believing that they would be able to run, not with the intention of pulling out.
 
It said on the news last night - she is pulling out as Toytown is going to the Olympic Games on him and does not want to risk it
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However the O games is not until next year!
Is she not going to do anything with him until then!!
 
i think the olympics next year is a deciding factor in a lot of competitors choice to pull out. if toytown had run and got injured seriously the chances of him coming sound and then getting back to full fitness in 12 months is not very realistic, think WFP decision could also have been swayed by this as tamarillo to has been plagued by injury and balincoola is his second horse if either had gone lame at badminton it lessens his chances of getting on the team. i dont blame any one for withdrawing if some one paid to see me ride my horse no matter how big they had paid if there was a serious chance of her getting injured i wouldnt do it
 
The Badminton website is now updated with withdrawals from;

Mary King (both Cashel Bay and Call Again Cavalier),
Andreas Dibowski (Little Lemon),
Daisy Dick (Spring Along),
Zara Phillips (Toytown),
Samantha Albert (Before I Do It)

Can see that list growing before 11am...
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James Robinson and Comanche have also withdrawn now.

I'm surprised Andreas Dibowski withdrew Little Lemon. They did quite well here last year, maybe Little Lemon is injured? He is still running Serve Well, now in 6th place.

XC times are now up on the Badminton website.
 
I am not surprised about Daisy Dick as Spring Along will most likely have a team place. I am surprised about Mary King and Call Again Cavalier and Cashel Bay but guess they are both big heavy type horses who will have more pressure on this ground than a little light horse. As Mary King competed at lexington last week and ran I would be interested to know what differences there are in ground.
 
On the face of it it does seem odd to pull out before you've had a final look in the morning but you also have to remember that Zara Phillips is under all sorts of pressures that the other riders are not. If I'm not mistaken the event director is her godfather and she surely will have been trying to balance all sorts of issues - welfare of the horse, pressures from the media and loyalty to family and friends. I think the riders were initially asked to make decisions that night so the event knew where it stood for the TV schedules. As it is the first rider is now starting much later than BBC interactive was scheduled to go on air. Don't forget we have the BBC back live again - cold not have been a worse year....
 
more Withdrawn
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3 CASHEL BAY Mary King 156 62.40% 160 64.00% 153 61.20% 62.53% 56.2 +21.4 =54
10 FRH LITTLE LEMON Andreas Dibowski (GER) 170 68.00% 179 71.60% 172 68.80% 69.47% 45.8 +11.0 17
15 FLINT CURTIS Oliver Townend 164 65.60% 161 64.40% 159 63.60% 64.53% 53.2 +18.4 =42
36 TANKERS TOWN Sharon Hunt 172 68.80% 180 72.00% 172 68.80% 69.87% 45.2 +10.4 =14
39 CERMONT Matthew Wright 156 62.40% 157 62.80% 156 62.40% 62.53% 56.2 +21.4 =54
59 COMANCHE James Robinson 170 68.00% 171 68.40% 162 64.80% 67.07% 49.4 +14.6 =30
62 TOYTOWN Zara Phillips 183 73.20% 188 75.20% 173 69.20% 72.53% 41.2 +6.4 6
64 BEFORE I DO IT Samantha Albert (JAM) 152 60.80% 154 61.60% 155 62.00% 61.47% 57.8 +23.0 =60
83 CALL AGAIN CAVALIER Mary King 183 73.20% 185 74.00% 173 69.20% 72.13% 41.8 +7.0 =8
91 SPRING ALONG Daisy Dick 156 62.40% 156 62.40% 154 61.60% 62.13% 56.8 +22.0 =56
 
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