Defending champion Jonelle Price has been forced to withdraw from this week's Badminton trial because of an injury to her horse.
The New Zealand Olympic rider won the prestigious English three day event on Classic Moet last year.
The 2018 Badminton Horse trials winner Jonelle Price and Classic Moet with the Badminton trophy. Photo: Photosport
It was her first Badminton win and first four-star win.
Price said unfortunately her mare isn't quite right this time round.
"We've had a very dry spring here and unfortunately we've struggled with her feet a little bit, sadly we haven't had the rain we were forecast to have so unfortunately we've had to make the difficult decision to save her for another day and turn our attention to Burghley in a couple of month's time."
Price said she's hugely disappointed.
"It is the holy grail Badminton, it is the biggest event in the world, obviously coming off the back of winning there last year, with my biggest moment in my career to date and going back to defend it was certainly the big thing of my year so yea not the best start to the season."
Price's husband, Tim, will take his Burghley winning mount Ringwood Sky Boy to Badminton, while Sir Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson are among the other New Zealanders competing.
Badminton starts Wednesday night with the opening day of dressage.
