The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, held in the Duke of Beaufort’s Gloucestershire Park, is the premier Three Day Event in the world.
It is the ultimate test of all round horsemanship.
Over 4 days there are three distinct phases of the competition, in which the best horses and riders in the world, many of them Olympians, perform a set test of Dressage, a bit like ‘Strictly’.
It takes Friday and Saturday to get through the 80 + competitors, then on Sunday the riders take on the daunting cross country course around the park, consisting of about 30 solid obstacles over about four miles.
These jumps can be logs, ditches, gates, ponds, rails and walls.
Spectators can walk the whole route and see riders at all the action spots.
On the final day is the Show Jumping phase over coloured poles, which do knock down.
The Event reaches the climax, when the overnight leader is last to go. The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is a great family day out
Not only is there great competition to watch, but there is also a tented village which has about 500 trade outlets. Children and dogs on leads are welcome and there is even a fair ground. Spectators can bring their own picnics or try the varied catering stands.
On cross country day it is advisable to leave early as Badminton has one of sport’s biggest outdoor crowds.
The action that day starts at around mid day.
http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/
