British rider Caroline Harris has withdrawn her horse Cooley Mosstown from next month's Mars Badminton Horse Trials. The 10-year-old gelding was set to make his five-star debut at the event scheduled for May 6-10. Harris cited the horse not feeling at his best as the reason for the decision.
Caroline Harris announced on Thursday that she is pulling Cooley Mosstown from the Mars Badminton Horse Trials. The British eventer, who won the Pau Horse Trials in 2024 aboard D. Day, had planned this as the horse's debut at the prestigious five-star competition in Gloucestershire, England. Cooley Mosstown, owned by Karen Dunford, Dinah Posford and Gail Sinclair, placed second at Bramham Horse Trials and fourth at Boekelo CCI4*-L last year, building anticipation for his top-level appearance. Harris explained her choice in a statement: “Sadly I’ve decided to withdraw Cooley Mosstown from Badminton. He just hasn’t been feeling totally himself and it wouldn’t be right to take him when he’s not on his A game.” She added that the horse has already achieved much in his career and that they aim to have him ready for challenges later in the year. Harris expressed regret to the owners and her team, who had supported their preparation efforts. This marks her as the latest rider to withdraw from the event, following recent announcements from other competitors.
