American rider Boyd Martin has pulled out of next month's Mars Badminton Horse Trials with his horse Miks Master C after it came up sore at a recent event. The 14-year-old gelding owned by OHP Hammertime Partners had been a podium contender. British pairs Selina Milnes on Cooley Snapchat and Harry Mutch on Shanbeg Cooley have also withdrawn.
Boyd Martin announced the withdrawal on Tuesday, citing a veterinary evaluation after Miks Master C pulled up sore following its run at the Fair Hill CCI4-*S last weekend. The rider stated, “Sadly, Miks Master C pulled up a little bit sore after his run at the Fair Hill CCI4-*S last weekend. After our team of vets evaluated him, we feel it’s in his best interest to save him for another day and we are sadly going to withdraw Mikki from this year’s Badminton.” Martin also thanked the horse's support team, including owners Deborah Palmer, Ocala Horse Properties, Rachael Isaacson, and Joe and Renee Lane, along with vets, farriers, and grooms. The Badminton Horse Trials are scheduled for May 6-10. Boyd took over the ride on Miks Master C after Liz Halliday's serious accident in summer 2024. The horse finished third at the 2023 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event five-star under Halliday and has since placed in the top 10 at all four of its four-star starts with Martin, including a win and consistent sub-30 dressage scores. The pair had been drawn first at the upcoming Kentucky event but withdrew there as well. Other recent withdrawals include Britain's Selina Milnes and Cooley Snapchat, who placed fourth in the Lycetts Grantham Cup at Thoresby, and Harry Mutch with Shanbeg Cooley.
