Brilliant Badminton

From straw-bale seating to the biggest event in the world, Badminton has come a long way in the last 75 years

It’s shaping up to be a very big year for Badminton Horse Trials. Even before the 2024 season has truly bedded down, the prestigious Gloucestershire fixture has plenty to celebrate – a new sponsor in MARS Equestrian, an increased prize fund, the excitement of Olympic prep runs from some of the world’s leading competitors and, at 75, a very big birthday. 

The need for change

When Badminton opened its eventing doors in 1949, it was with one goal in mind – to help British riders become competitive on the world stage. Now, 75 years later, it’s become the crown jewel of the sport globally – an amazing achievement. But, just how did it all start?

The answer can be found at the 1948 London Olympics. Excitement levels about the first post-war Olympics were high, but the British team failed to secure an eventing medal. In fact since the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic programme at Stockholm in 1912, team GB had won only one medal, and were outshone by those from Sweden, the Netherlands, the USA and Mexico.

Then a rule change in 1949 removed the requirement for competitors to be military officers, meaning the playing field was even broader – it was clear something needed to be done to revive Team GB’s fortunes, and quickly. 

From humble beginnings

It was then that Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort, an accomplished rider himself whose seat was Badminton House, had an idea. As there were no three-day events in Britain at the time, the country’s riders could hardly be blamed for falling short on the world stage. The solution, he decided, was to create one – and in less than a year, that idea became a reality. 

So, together with director Trevor Horn, the Duke transformed the grand piano inside Badminton House into a cross-country planning desk. Then, little by little, with the help of a small, but enthusiastic, group of fellow horsemen, the pair began to lay the groundwork for the first Badminton in 1949. Marketed as ‘the most important horse event in Great Britain’, it welcomed just 22 starters.

Now, 75 years on, that slogan still stands but could perhaps now also read ‘one of the most important horse events in the world’. Having evolved from straw-bale seating around a dressage arena on the front lawn to a grandstand that accommodates some of the 200,000 visitors who attend each year, Badminton can truly be described as the world’s most-loved event.

The dressage arena in 1952

Did you know? 

At £425,000, Badminton has the biggest prize pot in eventing – a major upgrade from 1949, when the winner took home £150 (just under £4,500, when adjusted for inflation).

Dreams can come true

“I grew up watching Badminton on VHS tapes,” says US rider Tamie Smith (above), who finished ninth with Mai Baum in 2022 before going on to win Kentucky the following spring. “When I finally got to ride there, it truly felt like a dream to witness first-hand its magic.”

That magic, she says, weaves its way into everything – from the cocktail party in the house, where the walls buzz with history, to walking through the stableyard archway for the horse inspection, seeing the crowds and knowing you’ve really arrived. Even the stableyard has a special atmosphere.

“Moving into the iconic Badminton stables for the week is quite surreal,” she says. “Just thinking about how many incredible horses over the years had been stabled in the very same stall as Mai Baum was amazing.”

The best bit, though? “Going out of the startbox and jumping successfully around one of the biggest competitions in the world. The crowds were unreal – I couldn’t even see the track in the distance because so many people were lining the ropes. It was one of my all-time favourite experiences of my career to date.”

Badminton champion in 2022, Laura Collett (below), agrees. “It’s the pinnacle of the sport – it’s the one everyone wants to win. I used to watch it on TV and was always mesmerised by what the riders and horses were doing. I dreamt of one day riding around it.”

Her first real memory of the event, was watching Pippa Funnell win on Supreme Rock in 2002. “I’d just started eventing at Pony Club, and all I wanted to be was Pippa, winning at Badminton.”

Exactly 20 years later, she made that happen, even beating her childhood idol.

“It was an absolute dream come true and it gives me goosebumps even now.”

Did you know? 

In 1995, Mark Todd on Bertie Blunt rode two-thirds of the course with only one stirrup after a leather broke. Bertie was later withdrawn, but the pair went on to win in 1996.

A very special event

It’s not only the riders who enjoy the thrill of Badminton. As well as the spectators, anyone working there, directly or indirectly, also can’t fail to be caught up in the excitement and atmosphere that surrounds it.

For some, it can even be a defining moment in their lives. One such person was 16-year-old Julie Skillen who, in the early 1970s, was helping out at the Colchester Garrison Saddle Club. An urgent phone call came in to say that the garrison’s stables officer, Major James Templer, had forgotten his dressage saddle and needed it to be delivered to Badminton immediately. 

Without hesitation, Julie and a group of her fellow grooms jumped into a car and drove for six hours to ensure he’d have his saddle in time. Luckily, they succeeded in their mission and were then treated to a behind-the-scenes peek as they got stuck into helping out – and Julie was smitten for life.

“I’ll always remember the wow factor of going into the stables,” she says. “It really spurred on my love of eventing.”

In fact, that love has remained with Julie ever since, and she now works in cross-country control at top events around the UK, as well as owning an event horse based with Irish rider Georgie Goss. 

Over the years, Badminton has had its ups and downs, and has even been cancelled seven times, but its magic has never faded. It attracts the very best competitors and is a highlight in the eventing year for riders and spectators alike. It truly is a very special event.

Did you know? 

John Shedden and Golden Willow were the first winners of Badminton. The horse was so fiery that Shedden tied himself to the saddle with twine, knowing he wouldn’t catch him if he fell off.

Badminton in numbers

6 –The most Badminton wins of any rider, a record held by Lucinda Green, riding six different horses, including Be Fair in 1973 when she was 19

4 – The length in miles of the cross-country course

21.4 – The lowest-ever finishing score, achieved by Laura Collett and London 52 in 2022

38 – The highest number of completions of the Badminton course by any rider, achieved by Andrew Nicholson, who won in 2017 on his 37th outing with 17-year-old Nereo, the oldest equine winner.

45 – The appreciate number of jumping efforts on the Badminton cross-country course (numbers vary year to year)

22 – The number of horses competing in the first Badminton in 1949, although eight failed to complete the cross–country course.

6 – The number of CC15* annual events held worldwide, of which Badminton is one.