HUGH Thomas has hailed a star-studded entry list for this year's Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials as the finest in its illustrious history.

German Michael Jung - the current world, Olympic and European champion - will make his Badminton debut, heading an 85-strong field that also includes current world number one Andrew Nicholson, the New Zealander based at Marlborough, and leading British contender William Fox-Pitt.

"I was expecting a very high-class entry," Badminton director and the event's cross-country course designer Thomas said.

"But I must admit when all the entries came in and I realised we had virtually all the medallists from the London Olympics, and lots of other really good people, it really is very exciting.

"I am delighted Michael Jung is here. He has often said in the past he has wanted to go to Badminton all his life, but he didn't want to go until he felt he was in with a chance of winning it.

"I was quoted in a magazine a few years ago as saying I thought that particular year's entry was the best field ever, and Sue Benson (London 2012 course designer) rang me up and said 'you say that every year!'

"But this year, I actually do think it is the best we've had.

"We have a ratings list and we take the top 85 entries based on that. The number of points the 85th rider has won this year is 20 more than we've had in previous years, which is an indication of the level."

Jung, the only rider in eventing history to hold world, Olympic and European individual titles simultaneously, has entered his London 2012 winner La Biosthetique Sam, plus a high-class second ride in Leopin.

He will be joined by three colleagues that helped Germany win Olympic team gold in London, and another thrilling battle against Britain's finest lies ahead.

Fox-Pitt has entered five horses - including the brilliant challengers Parklane Hawk and Oslo - as he chases the coveted Rolex Grand Slam, which is awarded to any rider who completes consecutive victories at Kentucky, Burghley and Badminton.

Britain's Pippa Funnell achieved the feat in 2003 - no other rider has managed it - but Fox-Pitt has an outstanding chance following his successes at Burghley in 2011 and Kentucky 2012.

Because Badminton was cancelled 12 months ago due to waterlogging, this year's event from May 3-6 now puts Fox-Pitt back in the Grand Slam spotlight. If he lands the Grand Slam it will be worth £230,000 to him, plus a record Badminton winner's cheque of £65,000.

The 44-year-old is joined among the entries by his 2012 Olympic silver medal-winning Great Britain colleagues Zara Phillips, Mary King, Tina Cook and Nicola Wilson, who have all put forward their London rides - High Kingdom, Imperial Cavalier, Miners Frolic and Opposition Buzz, respectively.

Seven previous Badminton winners are among the field, including Fox-Pitt, King, recently knighted New Zealander and 2011 champion Mark Todd, Highworth-based Australian Paul Tapner and Yorkshireman Oliver Townend, who was the last British winner in 2009.

Thomas' cross-country course takes in most of what he built for last year's cancelled event, with a few minor changes, as familiar challenges like Huntsman's Close, The Lake, Sunken Lane and Shogun Hollow will take centre-stage.

"If you take a 10-year span, the cross-country courses are slightly more difficult, the dressage test is slightly more difficult, the jumping test is slightly more difficult, and the standard of training and expertise is getting greater and greater all the time," Thomas added.

"We have to be careful we don't ask too much of the horses, obviously, but it (standard) is creeping up all the time.

"For me, everywhere you go in the sport is different, and when you are designing courses you have to design something suitable for the place where you are. You don't just build an arena and put the fences in it.

"Badminton will always suit a galloping horse, and if I ever make Badminton so that it doesn't suit a big rangy, galloping horse then I would have built a bad course, frankly."

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