Badminton Horse Trials cancelled due to floods © Reuters/Eddie Keogh The Badminton Horse Trials have been cancelled due to a waterlogged course, scuppering what would have been a key Olympic build-up event. The competition, which was due to start on Thursday, is one of the world's most prestigious four-star equestrian meets of the year. It normally begins with two days of dressage, followed by cross-country and is topped by a showjumping finale. It could have been the crowning glory of a successful year for world number one William Fox-Pitt of Britain who was vying for the £220,000 Rolex Grand Slam, a prize awarded for any rider that wins consecutive Burghley, Kentucky and Badminton titles. Hugh Thomas, the event director, issued a statement, which read: "The recent exceptional rainfall has left the ground at Badminton totally waterlogged and partially flooded. Further rain is due this week leaving no chance of the ground drying out. Very sadly, therefore, the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials has been cancelled.