Big Badminton reveal

A new area of the Badminton grounds is set to be included in this year’s cross-country course

Both riders and spectators will be treading on new ground as course designer Eric Winter unveils the cross-country course for this year’s 5-star international event. Not only will it offer a fresh new track, but there will also be enhanced viewing for all watching!

With the ability to switch direction every year, Badminton will be running in a clockwise direction with the Savills Staircase appearing early in the course as fence four (a, b, c and d) and to make it that much more difficult it will be jumped going down the hill.

Although there won’t be as many big ditches as we saw in 2022, the course will be all about obedience and flexibility when it comes to the big bold fences. An example of this is the Joules Coronation Corral (6a and b), two upright white gates six or seven strides apart, which is followed by the Air Ambulances UK Bullfinch (7).

The course will then veer off on to the new ground where you’ll be able to spot the Lightsource bp Hollow (8a, b and c) before climbing up to the familiar pond at the Mars Sustainability Bay (10a and b). Also set up on the exciting new track is the Holland Cooper Owl Hole (12a and b) leading on to the tricky KBIS Brush Boxes. The much-loved famous Badminton Lake will come later in the course with a big brush corner followed by a 90-degree turn to upright rails into the water and five or six strides to another brush corner sited in the water.

Former competitor Tina Cook, who is also a member of the commentary team, said, “This is a track that will, quite rightly, test the strength of the partnership between horse and rider. It’s got an old-style flavour with some big, bold, attacking fences, but it will be all about trainability.”

To buy your tickets or for more information, visit badminton-horse.co.uk

Photo credit: Tony Skerl