Piggy French has a point to prove at Chatsworth

By Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat

PIGGY French insists she is a woman on a mission - aiming to banish her Badminton heartache by returning to form in style at this weekend's Chatsworth International Horse Trials.

POINT TO PROVE: Piggy French is determined to put her Badminton disappointment behind her at Chatsworth this weekend (Getty Images)

Riding Some Day Soon, French had a nightmare trip to the showpiece Gloucestershire-event earlier this month - with the former South Norfolk Pony Club member being eliminated at the cross country stage having been tied for 14th after the dressage.

That elimination saw French fall down the Great Britain pecking order as she bids to be part of the squad that heads to the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September.

But while quick to accept her Badminton set-back couldn't be worse timed, French is adamant she will be back to her best in Derbyshire this weekend, with Chatsworth also doubling up as the fifth leg of the HSBC FEI World Cup.

"I was absolutely gutted with how Badminton ended up because it was an event that I was gearing my season around and it didn't go to plan at all," said French.

"But in horse riding we have to deal with a lot of setbacks and disappointments and it is important I bounce back from that now.

"It was really disappointing because I really wanted to go to Badminton and perform well to put myself in a good position to be selected for the World Equestrian Championships in Kentucky later this year.

"But I don't think the decision will be made until later in the year, so I have still got a chance to go if I can perform well at the events we have got coming up.

"It is up to me to prove to the selectors that I can go there and do well and that starts with Chatsworth."