News News
Most Read Articles
Photo credit: Badminton Horse Trials, Kit Houghton
Badminton Horse Trials will take place from 4–8 May, starting a day later than originally planned so that cross-country day doesn’t clash with Saturday’s coronation of King Charles II and the Queen Consort. This year, the dressage phase of the competition will take place on Friday and Saturday, with a break for the Coronation, which will be shown live on the event’s big screens.Cross-country will get under way on Sunday, with the final showjumping phase on the bank holiday Monday.
Here are our top 10 reasons to visit this year
1. You’ll find all your retail therapy needs in one place, with more than 500 trade stands in attendance.
2. Dressage star Laura Tomlinson will be performing a display on the Friday.
3. Watch King Charles’ Coronation on the big screen alongside a large crowd and within a great atmosphere.
4. See the world’s greatest riders battle it out for the prestigious title – could Laura Collett and London 52 make it a double?
5. If you want to stay on site but don’t fancy the idea of camping, check out The Badminton Retreat for a glamping experience.
6. Head to racingbreaks.com for a reasonably priced ultimate Badminton experience, where accommodation, entry, transfers and extras are all included in the package price.
7. Take a walk around the magnificent Badminton Estate and enjoy the views over the Gloucestershire countryside.
8. From pasties to pizza, fish and chips to falafel, there’s sure to be something to whet your appetite at the many catering stands.
9. You can wash your lunch down with a pint of beer from the Pig&Whistle or head to the Pimm’s or Champagne stands for a more up market tipple.
10. Look out for the eventing stars as they sign autographs on their sponsors’ tradestands. Or, if you’re really lucky, you might be able to book onto a course walk with a top rider!
What’s on
Wednesday, 3 May
9.00–17.00 Grassroots dressage
Thursday, 4 May
9.00–16.15 Grassroots dressage, showjumping and cross-country
9.00–16.15 Burghley Young Event Horse
16.30 CCI5* First horse inspection – Badminton House
Friday, 5 May
9.00–17.00 CCI5* dressage
12.30 Dressage display with Laura Tomlinson
17.00 Stallion display
Saturday, 6 May
8.00–17.00 CCI5* dressage
Sunday, 7 May
10.30 Shetland Pony Grand National
11.30–17.00 CCI5* cross-country
Monday, 8 May
8.30 Final horse inspection
11.30 CCI5* showjumping
1.30 Band display
2.05 Parade of competitors (from morning jumping)
2.30 CCI5* showjumping
3.30 Parade of the Duke of Beaufort’s Hounds
3.45 Parade of the top 20 competitors and presentation of prizes
Badminton fun facts
- the first Badminton Horse Trials was held in 1949 and was won by John Shedden riding Golden Willow, who was only five years old
- the first female winner was Margaret Hough on Bambi V in 1954
- Sheila Wilcox is the only rider to have achieved a hat-trick of wins, in 1957 and 1958 with High and Mighty, and in 1959 with Airs and Graces
- the smallest horses to compete at Badminton were Our Solo (ridden by Bill Roycroft in 1960) and Our Nobby (ridden by Jane Bullen) in 1968. Both horses were just 15hh
- the youngest rider to win at Badminton was Richard Walker who was 18 and 247 days when he rode to victory on Pasha
- in 1988, Ian Stark became the only rider to date to gain first and second places with Sir Wattie and Glenburnie, respectively
- five grey horses have won since the start of the event – Columbus in 1974, Beagle Bay in 1984, Welton Houdini in 1993, Flint Curtis in 2009 and NZB Land Vision in 2011
Did you know?
You can visit Horse&Rider at the World of the Horse, stand number 197, to meet the team, shop and check out the amazing subscription offers.
The box office is open
You’ll need to get your tickets in advance, as you can’t buy them on the gate, so if you want to attend this year’s event, visit badminton-horse.co.uk to book now.
