ANDREW NICHOLSON and Pippa Funnell, two of the biggest names in world eventing, have withdrawn from the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials on the eve of the great showpiece event in Wiltshire.

Both competed at the Withington Manor Horse Trials, near Cheltenham on Sunday – with differing results.

Rio Olympics hopeful Funnell, 47, was taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital following a fall from Sandman 7 in an advanced class.

The three-time Badminton champion was due to return home today (Tuesday).

A statement from the organisers posted on the official Badminton website said Funnell had undergone tests in hospital that "have all been clear".

She had been set to ride Second Supreme and Billy Beware at Badminton – British eventing's premier competition – which begins on Thursday.

"It's devastating not only for myself, but also for the owners, Jonathan and Jane Clarke and Marek Sebestak, my groom Frankie and the hard working team at home not to be able to compete at Badminton this year," said Funnell.

"I feel both my horses are in great form and the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials is one of the greatest events in the world. I very much hope to be back competing again shortly."

Badminton Horse Trials director Hugh Thomas added: "We are very disappointed for Pippa, her connections, and of course everyone who was so looking forward to seeing her ride at Badminton."

Nicholson, the Marlborough-based former world number one who is recovering from a serious neck injury sustained at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park last August, won an advanced class at Withington on Jet Set IV and was placed on his other three mounts.

But he complained of fatigue after riding in the cross country discipline and has decided he is not ready for the demands of a world class CCI4* event.

Nicholson said: "I have reluctantly decided to withdraw Nereo from Badminton, through no fault of his own. I have doubts over my own fitness and ability to do him full justice at this point.

"I successfully rode four horses in the advanced section at Withington on Sunday, all of whom won prizes, but was aware I felt fatigued by the end of the seven-minute cross-country course. It would therefore not be sensible to attempt an 11½-minute course at Badminton.

"I have every confidence my strength and fitness will continue to improve, and with the full support of Nereo's owner Libby Sellar, we now plan to target Nereo towards significant events such as those in the exciting new Event Rider Masters series."