PAUL Tapner admits the possibility of him linking up with top ride Inonothing at London 2012 has suffered a blow following the cancellation of this weekend’s Badminton Horse Trials.

The Highworth-based eventer has limited chances to prove the fitness and form of Inonothing ahead of the Games, a horse which has only just returned to action following a long-lay-off.

The pair triumphed at Badminton in 2010 but that same year Inonothing fractured a bone in his stifle joint at the World Equestrian Games and has only just returned to action.

Although Tapner and his charge have impressed in recent competitions and the former is almost certain to feature in London, the cancellation of Badminton has come as a huge blow to Inonothing’s Olympic hopes.

“It’s very disappointing from our perspective because I had my top horse going there who has made a fairly amazing return to form after injury,” said Tapner.

“He needed the run (at Badminton) to help him qualify for the London Olympics so it’s a whammy for his career.

“It’s a possibility for him to still get there but there’s 80 others who are trying to do the same.”

Meanwhile, Laura Collett insists she has not lost ground in her bid to make the British team for London 2012 in the wake of Badminton’s cancellation.

The Membury-based eventer still has a chance of going to her home Games and while disappointed the trials had been called off, she said the race for the Olympics was still very much on.

“At the end of the day everyone’s in the same boat, it’s not like anyone is competing out there,” said Collett, who was due to compete on Rayef and Noble Bestman.

“The situation is no different now to what it was before Badminton was cancelled. Everyone still needs to earn their place.”

She added: “It’s gutting but it wasn’t safe for anyone to ride so you can understand the decision.

“It takes a lot of effort to get the horses fit and well but we have got to make plans now and re-route. We’ll wait and see what’s about and what’s on.

“It’s a disappointment to the team who have put everything into it but we’ll just have to move onto the next event now.”

Also missing out this weekend will be 20-year-old Tom McEwen, who had more than one reason to be disappointed about the cancellation.

The Hodson eventer was due to make his debut on Dry Old Party at the trials and was also set to be the youngest rider competing.

However, the youngster, who impressed at Burghley last year, will have to wait until 2013 to compete at Badminton for the first time.

Local youngster Georgie Jones, 15, was due to compete in the BE90 Grassroots Championships at the venue.