BRITISH event rider Pippa Funnell has withdrawn her two rides from the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, it has been confirmed.

The move comes after Funnell fell on course at Withington at the weekend and was hospitalised.

The Rolex Grand Slam winner, who recently won twice on Irish soil at Ballindenisk, has undergone tests in hospital which thankfully have all been clear.

She will returnhome today but has made the difficult decision to withdraw her two rides,Second Supreme and Billy Beware,from Badminton in order to give herself more time to recover.

The three-time Badminton winner said: “It’s devastating not only for myself but also for the owners, Jonathan and Jane Clarke and Marek Sebestak, my groom Frankie and the hard working team at home not to be able to compete at Badminton this year as I feel both my horses are in great form and the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials is one of the greatest events in the world. I very much hope to back competing again shortly.”

Hugh Thomas, director of Badminton Horse Trials said: “We’re very disappointed for Pippa, her connections, and of course everyone who was so looking forward to seeing her ride at Badminton. All the team wish her well and hope she is back in the saddle soon.”

Andrew Nicholson has also announced his withdrawal from the competition, click here to read more