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Riding royalty: Zara Phillips

A total of 81 horses came forward for the first horse inspection of the 2008 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this morning.

All passed and now go onto the official start list.

The Ground Jury of David Lee (IRL), Marylin Payne (USA) and Judy Bradwell (GBR) assessed the contenders for the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy that offers a record first prize of £60,000, in front Badminton House, the historic home of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort.

Of the 72 riders, representing seven countries, nine - Mary King, Daisy Dick, Harry Meade, William Fox-Pitt, Zara Phillips and New Zealanders Joe Meyer, Andrew Nicholson, Caroline Powell and Dan Jocelyn have two rides.

Having previously stamped their names on the silver trophy, William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell, Mary King and Rodney Powell are all in with a chance of taking it home again.

New Zealander Andrew Nicholson, who has completed here a record 26 times has yet to win this title while British based Australian Clayton Fredericks, whose wife Lucinda was last year's winner, is in with a chance of ensuring the trophy stays on the sideboard. Clayton brings his 2006 British Open Champion Nullabor who was well placed at Burghley last year.

Twenty two riders will be attempting to complete the competition for the first time including the local rider Georgie Spence who at 19-years-old is the youngest rider in the field.

All go forward to dressage - the first day of which starts tomorrow at 9.30 after the judges have a chance to get their eye in watching Young Rider European individual silver medallists Nicola Wilson and Oingy Boingy who will be the test guinea pig this year.

11:25am Thursday 1st May 2008

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