As the list of accepted riders at the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials (22-25 April) was announced, H&C's excitement grew as we saw many of our favourite riders had made the list. Unsurprisingly, the waiting list is also star-studded as once again there are more riders wanting to compete than can be allowed to start.

An international field 

The accepted list of entries reads like a Who's Who of the eventing world, with all the big names flocking to compete and many of the top riders having several horses to choose from.  William Fox-Pitt has been accepted with five experienced 4* horses. But William faces a tough decision: Having only won the event once before in 2004, which of these horses will help him collect the £60,000 prize money?

There are many contenders for first place. Over half of the accepted entries come from international riders, including three entries from the legendary Mark Todd.  One of Mark's rides is the talented Land Vision, a horse he bought from Oliver Townend, and who Mark recently claimed in an interview to be the best horse out there.

H&C favourites make the list 

Other riders in the list include the Pippa Funnell, who has qualified two horses, Mirage d'Elle and WEG team member Redesigned. Keep an eye out for the young and talented Gemma Tattersall on Kings Gem, who, along with Ruth Edge on Two Thyme, will be joining the H&C team during our coverage of this fantastic event.

Oliver Townend has three horses with accepted entries, including Ashdale Cruise Master, about whom Oliver told H&C in a recent interview was, "A very good horse that will go to Badminton this Spring. I have high hopes for him." Oliver also has a horse on the waiting list.

Big names on the waiting list

The number of accepted entries currently stands at 85 and everyone else, including the likes of Lucinda Fredericks and Prada, must sit it out on the waiting list and hope there are withdrawals from the accepted list of entrants to gain their place.

Other big names on the waiting list include Jeanette Brakewell with two horses, Chill out Bob and Major Buck, and young rider Pheobe Buckley and the adorable Little Tiger.

The H&C web team will be based at Badminton for the duration of the event to bring you up to the second coverage and exclusive rider interviews.