In a dramatic finale to the 2019 Badminton Horse Trials, Piggy French wrested the sport’s most coveted title from the grasp of long-time favourite Oliver Townend in dramatic style.
In the pressure cauldron of Badminton’s main arena, Piggy, so often the bridesmaid at the highest level and lying second overnight on Vanir Kamira, jumped a superb clear aboard Trevor Dickens’ mare to turn the tables on the overnight leader when he used up his quota of lives.
Oliver, the winner in 2009 on Flint Curtis, could afford one rail down and three time penalties with Ballaghmor Class, but when a late rail fell and the clock stopped four seconds over the optimum, the 2009 winner was left shaking his head in disbelief as he realised his chances had been dashed.
This was Piggy’s 25th attempt at winning an event at the highest (five star) level.