Tougher qualifications in line for trials

Equestrianism

Hugh Thomas, director of the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials which run from 7 to 11 May, anticipates tougher qualifications for next year's event after receiving an unprecedented number of entries.

Thomas this year made the controversial decision to limit overseas countries to five horses, but, even so, still has 45 on the waiting list. There has since been resentment against Blyth Tait, New Zealand's Olympic champion, for his fairly mild assertion that spectators would rather see the top riders with two horses than "Samantha Clipotty-Clop" with one. Three British riders - Karen Dixon, Leslie Law and Ian Stark - are due to ride two horses apiece. Both Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand and Bruce Davidson of the United States have two horses listed, but they will only ride their second horses if one of their countrymen drop out.