The Badminton Horse Trials are scheduled to begin tomorrow in Gloucestershire ©Getty Images

The Badminton Horse Trials is set to return in the United Kingdom with many of the world’s leading horses and riders heading to the grounds of Badminton House in Gloucestershire after two years of disruption caused by COVID-19.

World number one Oliver Townend of Britain will be performing with 14-year-old grey gelding Swallow Springs and Olympic team gold medallist Ballaghmor Class. 

British rider William Fox-Pitt is set to ride Oratorio while his compatriot Piggy March is due to compete on Vanir Kamira, after pulling Brookfield Inocent out of the competition due to "a very small injury."

March claimed the title back in 2019 riding Vanir Kamira, from Townend, who had led going into the final phase on Ballaghmor Class. 

Third was Australian Chris Burton riding Cooley Lands, the only combination that year to finish on their dressage score.

Other big names listed among the entries include British riders Tom McEwen, Nicola Wilson, Rosalind "Ros" Canter, Pippa Funnell and many others. 

Tom McEwen claimed a silver medal in the individual eventing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games ©Getty Images
Tom McEwen claimed a silver medal in the individual eventing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games ©Getty Images

Meanwhile, British royal family member Zara Tindall and gelding Class Affair have withdrawn from the Badminton Horse Trials. 

The action is due to start tomorrow, and conclude with the jumping test scheduled for Sunday (May 8). 

The same horse and rider combinations must take part in each of the dressage, cross-country and showjumping disciplines.  

The Badminton Horse Trials was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.