TOP riders and horses from around the world are today preparing for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials at Badminton.
Gloucestershire-based Zara Phillips (above), Vittoria Panizzon and Nicky Roncorino feature among the 85-strong field for the three-day event, which was cancelled last year due to heavy rain
This year's showpiece competition starts tomorrow with the dressage rounds, followed by cross-country on Saturday and Sunday and jumping on Monday.
Mark Todd, Badminton winner in 2011 for the fourth time in his illustrious career, is among the big names again.
Former champions Oliver Townend, Pippa Funell and Mary King are among the other well-known names competing for glory.
Former world champion Phillips was a member of the Great Britain team that won silver at last year's Olympics in London.
The 31-year-old finished tenth aboard High Kingdom at Badminton two years ago and partners him again this year.
Panizzon, 29, won the 2000 Junior European Eventing Championships.
She has been a member of the Italian national senior squad at major championships since 2005, representing Italy at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
She finished 11th on her Badminton ride Borough Pennyz at the Olympics.
Roncorino, based near Cirencester, represented Scotland at junior level and Great Britain at young rider level.
Describing her Badminton mount Trig Point, the 34-year-old said: "If he was human, my mother would think he was ideal marriage material – handsome, talented, gentlemanly and works hard to achieve."
Harry Meade won't have far to go home afterwards because he runs his own yard close to Badminton.
The 29-year-old will be aboard Wild Lone, on whom he finished 25th two years ago.
