CAN they do it again?

Eighty one horses will contest this year's Mitsubishi Motors Badminton International Horse Trials and just over 30 of them are Irish-bred.

The event was won last year by Australia's Sam Griffiths, competing on the Irish-bred Paulank Brockagh (ISH), a 12-year-old Touchdown mare, bred by Co Wicklow's Paula and Frank Cullen.

Paulank Brockagh is one of just nine mares competing at Badminton this weekend as she bids to defend her title.

All eyes will be on the famous four-star event where crowds of up to a quarter of a million traditionally flock to Saturday's cross-country day - the largest for any paid-entry sport in Britain and second largest in the world after the Indianpolis 500.

Irish-bred horses dominated the recent Rolex four-star event in Kentucky, taking six of the top 10 places at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

HIGH KINGDOM OUT

Meanwhile, Britain's Zara Phillips was forced to pull out her Olympic silver-medal winning horse, High Kingdom (ISH) from Badminton as he had not recovered from injury. The horse had to be withdrawn from the Rolex after sustaining a cut in his stable which required stitches.

High Kingdom (by Master Imp TB) was bred in Wicklow by William Micklem.

Veteran event rider Mary King MBE, who has competed at six Olympic Games, has stepped in to take Phillips' place for Team GB at Badminton.

The three-day event was first held at the Duke of Beaufort's estate in Gloucestershire in 1949 to give British riders a place to train for international events.

Accepted entries for Badminton CCI**** 2015

Paulank Brockagh (ISH) – 2003 mare by Touchdown (ISH) out of Calander Girl (ISH), by Triggerero (TB). Breeder: Paula Cullen, Co. Wicklow. Rider: Sam Griffiths (AUS).

Shannondale Titan (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Limmerck (HOLST) out of Rocklea (ISH), by Leabeg (ISH). Breeder: Maire Na Raghallaigh, Co. Longford. Rider: Bill Levett (AUS).

Kilronan (ISH) – 2001 gelding by Ghareeb (TB) out of Ramble Way (ISH), by Diamond Lad (ID). Breeder: Patrick Fenlon, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Paul Tapner (AUS).

Grass Valley (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Legal Pressure (TB) out of Connaught Gold (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: John A Cogan, Co. Sligo. Rider: Gabriel Figueriredo Silv (BRA).

Finbury Hill (ISH) – 1999 gelding. Rider: Hannah Bate (GBR).

Cooleys Luxury (ISH) – 2002 gelding by Olympic Lux (KWPN) out of Tell Me Sunshine (ISH), by Glen Bar (ISH). Breeder: Catherine Kenny, Co. Offaly. Rider: Tom D Crisp (GBR).

Bay My Hero (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Cult Hero (TB) out of Bing Power (ISH), by Tomgar Power Crest (ISH). Breeder: Bryan Maguire, Co. Wexford. Rider: William Fox-Pitt (GBR).

Second Supreme (UNK) – 2002 gelding. Rider: Pippa Funnell (GBR).

Greenlawn Sky High (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Aldatus Z (OLD) out of Quinsey Lass (ISH), by Laughton’s Flight (ISH). Breeder: Michael Daley, Co. Kerry. Rider: Emily Llewellyn (GBR).

Ballyfarris Flight (ISH) – 2003 gelding by High Roller (ISH) out of Aughris Lady (ISH), by Errigal Flight (ISH). Breeder: Fergus Caheny, Co. Sligo. Rider: Louisa Lockwood (GBR).

Highland Prince (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Highland Flight (ISH) out of Ballycullen Girl (ISH), by Rimilis (TB). Breeder: Patrick J Kearns, Co. Laois. Rider: Zara Phillips (GBR).

Arctic Soul (TB) – 2003 gelding by Luso (TB) out of Dream Cocktail (TB), by Roi Danzi (TB). Breeder: Michael Whitty. Rider: Gemma Tattersall (GBR).

Galley Light (TB) – 2003 gelding by Turtle Island (TB)(IRE) out of Coola Cross (TB)(IRE), Be My Native (TB). Breeder: W. Roche. Rider: Ben Way (GBR).

Hasty Imp (ISH) – 2004 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Hasty Beach VII (ISH), by Malibu Beach (TB). Breeder: Sean Barron, Co. Wexford. Rider: Francis Whittington (GBR).

Fernhill Highlight (ISH) – 2003 gelding by High Roller (ISH) out of Forest Beauty (ISH), by Ginger Dick (ID). Breeder: Mary Walsh, Co. Mayo. Rider: Francis Whittington (GBR).

Easy Target (ISH) – 2001 gelding by The Artist (BSPA) out of Lady King (ISH), by King Henry (ID). Breeder: John Conheeney, Co. Galway. Rider: Francis Whittington (GBR).

One Two Many (ISH) – 2002 gelding by Chacoa (HOLST) out of Cul Na Breathar (ISH), by Colin Diamond (ISH). Breeder: John O’Brien, Co. Limerick. Rider: Nicola Wilson (GBR).

Annie Clover (ISH) – 2004 mare by Newmarket Venture (HANN) out of Kilderry Clover (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: James Bradley, Co. Cork. Rider: Nicola Wilson (GBR).

Euro Prince (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Lougheries Quiet Man (UNK) out of Miss Tullydraw (UNK). Breeder: Cormac McKay, Co. Armagh. Rider: Clare Abbott (IRL).

Electric Cruise (ISH) – 2001 gelding by Cruising (ISH) out of Kilnamac Sally (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: James J Ryan, Co. Tipperary. Rider: Joseph Murphy (IRL).

Sportsfield Othello (ISH) – 2001 gelding by Ricardo Z (ZANG) out of Moy View Lady (ISH), by Ring of Ford (TB). Breeder: John Kenny, Co. Tipperary. Rider: Joseph Murphy (IRL).

Ballylynch Adventure (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Don Juan de le Bouverie (SBS) out of Stanman Girl (TB) , by Standaan (TB). Breeder: John B Hughes, Co. Meath. Rider: Michael Ryan (IRL)

Portersize Just a Jiff (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Crosskeys Rebel (CP) out of Mizen Talent (ISH), by Mizen Melody (TB). Breeder: Philip White. Rider: Camilla Spiers (IRL) 102.8

Horseware Bushman (ISH) – 1999 gelding by Puissance (ISH) out of Clear Conscience (ISH), by Horos (TB). Breeder: John Watson. Rider: Sam Watson (IRL)

Stilo Kontika (ISH) – 2001 gelding by Condios (HOLST) out of Blue Labamba (ISH). Breeder: Linda Slattery. Rider: Giovanni Ugolotti (ITA)

Boleybawn Ace (ISH) – 2005 gelding by Harlequin du Carel (SF) out of Queen Cee (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Ronan Rothwell, Co. Wicklow. Rider: Andrew Heffernan (NED).

Calico Joe (TB) – 2002 gelding by Clerkenwell (TB) out of Elle’ Sheree (TB), by Beau Sher (TB). Breeder Alfred Buller (IRE). Rider: Andrew Nicholson (NZL).

Ringwood Sky Boy (ISH) –– 2003 gelding by Courage II (HOLST) out of Sky Lassie (ISH), by Sky Boy (TB). Breeder: Myles Mahon, Co. Wexford. Rider: Tim Price (NZL).

The Deputy (ISH) - 2002 gelding by Cult Hero (TB) out of Catania (HANN) by Calypso (HANN). Breeder: James Maguire (Wexford). Rider: Jonelle Price (NZL).

Tubber Rebel (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Rich Rebel (TB) out of Killea Lady (ISH), by Carrabawn View (ID). Breeder: Liam Kenneally. Rider: Dag Albert (SWE).

Cool Dancer (ISH) - 2001 gelding by Duca di Busted (TB) out of Arctic Dancer (ISH) by Arctic Que (TB). Breeder: I.S.H.D. Alison Corbally, Co. Fermanagh. Rider: Olivia Wilmot (GBR).

Mulrys Error (ISH) – 2002 gelding. Rider: Ben Hobday (GBR).

Sligo Luckyvalier (ISH) - 2002 gelding by Lucky Valier (ISH) out of Fassadinin Diana (ISH) by Highland King (ISH). Breeder: Thomas Walsh, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Gary Parsonage (GBR).

*Above list courtesy of Horse Sport Ireland