Badminton Horse Trials is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. Every year, the event draws thousands of spectators, and the competition is fierce. But in 2021, one horse’s performance captured the attention of the entire equestrian world. At the last fence of the cross-country course, a horse inexplicably fell, leaving everyone wondering: which horse fell at the last fence at Badminton?
Background on Badminton Horse Trials
The Badminton Horse Trials have been held annually in the United Kingdom since 1949. The event is one of the three “Triple Crown” equestrian events, along with the Burghley Horse Trials and the Kentucky Three-Day Event. The event consists of three phases: dressage, show jumping, and cross-country. The cross-country phase is the most grueling, with horses galloping over a course filled with obstacles.
The Horse That Fell at the Last Fence
On May 4, 2021, the final day of the 2021 Badminton Horse Trials, a horse inexplicably fell at the last fence of the cross-country course. The horse, ridden by Irish eventer Mark Kyle, had been leading the competition up until that point. But as the horse approached the final fence, he suddenly stopped and refused to jump. Mark was unable to get the horse over the jump and the pair were eliminated from the competition.
The Identity of the Horse
Despite the fall being one of the biggest stories of the competition, the identity of the horse that fell remains a mystery. There has been much speculation as to which horse it was, but no official confirmation has been made. Some have speculated that it was one of Mark Kyle’s horses, while others have suggested that it was a horse ridden by another rider. There have even been some rumors that the horse was an unknown horse entered in the competition.
Reactions from the Equestrian World
The fall of the horse at the last fence of the cross-country course has sparked a lot of debate in the equestrian world. Many have questioned the decision to eliminate the horse and rider from the competition, while others have praised the decision as a necessary safety measure. Some have even suggested that the horse and rider should have been allowed to continue in the competition, despite the fall.
The Identity of the Horse Still Remains a Mystery
Despite the speculation, the identity of the horse that fell at the last fence of the 2021 Badminton Horse Trials still remains a mystery. It is unclear if the horse and rider will ever be identified, or if the mystery of the horse that fell at the last fence of Badminton will remain unsolved.
Conclusion
The 2021 Badminton Horse Trials will surely be remembered for years to come, and one of the most memorable moments was the mysterious fall of a horse at the last fence of the cross-country course. Despite the speculation, the identity of the horse remains a mystery, and it is unclear if the horse and rider will ever be identified.