Badminton Horse Trials
Discussion
Not been to Badminton but have been to other 5 star 3 day eventing and the cross country phase.
Its a good day out even if you are not into horses. I would get there early, have a chance to walk the course. Wear walking boots or wellies and be prepared to walk a lot. Take cash as these shows usually have many firms selling loads of stuff (Last one we went to we came away with a new girth and a jacket.
There are plenty of food places but you can also take your own (which is good as the cross country usually starts about 10am and by 12pm you might be a mile away from the food places. worth taking a fold up chair if you plan to stay by 1 fence or at least something to sit on if walking around.
There is booze if thats your thing. Usually Land Rover is there with many cars and other machinery like horse boxes, tractors etc.
You will also see some people dunked in water by their horse, some big fences and some very fast horses
Its a good day out even if you are not into horses. I would get there early, have a chance to walk the course. Wear walking boots or wellies and be prepared to walk a lot. Take cash as these shows usually have many firms selling loads of stuff (Last one we went to we came away with a new girth and a jacket.
There are plenty of food places but you can also take your own (which is good as the cross country usually starts about 10am and by 12pm you might be a mile away from the food places. worth taking a fold up chair if you plan to stay by 1 fence or at least something to sit on if walking around.
There is booze if thats your thing. Usually Land Rover is there with many cars and other machinery like horse boxes, tractors etc.
You will also see some people dunked in water by their horse, some big fences and some very fast horses
I go every year with my daughter who’s a committed equestrian and is looking to get into eventing herself. I don’t ride but Badminton is a regular highlight of the year for me. We go from Thursday night until Sunday afternoon. It’s a fantastic event and the atmosphere is amazing. Everybody is exceptionally friendly. We’ve missed it greatly over the last two pandemic years.
The advice already given is spot on. The Saturday cross country event is a wonderful day. It’s fantastic to see these horses and riders so close up. Some of the jumps can become very crowded from early in the day, in particular the lake jumps where spectators tend to camp out for the whole day. However, if you’re patient sometimes people do move on after a while, allowing you to move closer to the action.
We tend to start the day at the end jumps, watching maybe four or five riders, and then slowly move back throughout the day. There will be some areas where there are a cluster of jumps. When you get there it may be quite crowded but be patient as people tend to move around the course. If you wait for a while you’ll be able to move closer.
As has been said, take good walking boots. If you move around the course it will involve lots of walking. Try to plan ahead and think about what you’ll need for the day. If you plan on moving around a lot then try to travel with as little as possible. A light folding chair is definitely a good idea if you think you might stay in one place for an hour or so but if you’re going to follow the course throughout the day it might not be necessary - we don’t bother as we’re happy either standing or sitting on the grass for ten or fifteen minutes at a time. A good light waterproof coat is a good idea as you can always sit in it too!
Make sure you have a water bottle and a programme with the course map. There are plenty of food stalls dotted around the place so you’ll not go hungry.
Also take your wallet. If you or your partner are into riding then it can get expensive. The trade stalls can drain your bank account rapidly. My daughter’s come away at the end of a Badminton weekend before with new boots/tack/blankets. Even I’ve bought myself clothes from there (the Ariat coats are great) and I don’t even ride!
I hope you have a lovely time. The show-jumping on the Sunday is also great. If the competition is close between the leading riders on the final day the atmosphere in the arena can be electric. The whole weekend can sometimes go down to a single fault on the final jump. The collective crowd hardly breathes when that happens.
The advice already given is spot on. The Saturday cross country event is a wonderful day. It’s fantastic to see these horses and riders so close up. Some of the jumps can become very crowded from early in the day, in particular the lake jumps where spectators tend to camp out for the whole day. However, if you’re patient sometimes people do move on after a while, allowing you to move closer to the action.
We tend to start the day at the end jumps, watching maybe four or five riders, and then slowly move back throughout the day. There will be some areas where there are a cluster of jumps. When you get there it may be quite crowded but be patient as people tend to move around the course. If you wait for a while you’ll be able to move closer.
As has been said, take good walking boots. If you move around the course it will involve lots of walking. Try to plan ahead and think about what you’ll need for the day. If you plan on moving around a lot then try to travel with as little as possible. A light folding chair is definitely a good idea if you think you might stay in one place for an hour or so but if you’re going to follow the course throughout the day it might not be necessary - we don’t bother as we’re happy either standing or sitting on the grass for ten or fifteen minutes at a time. A good light waterproof coat is a good idea as you can always sit in it too!
Make sure you have a water bottle and a programme with the course map. There are plenty of food stalls dotted around the place so you’ll not go hungry.
Also take your wallet. If you or your partner are into riding then it can get expensive. The trade stalls can drain your bank account rapidly. My daughter’s come away at the end of a Badminton weekend before with new boots/tack/blankets. Even I’ve bought myself clothes from there (the Ariat coats are great) and I don’t even ride!
I hope you have a lovely time. The show-jumping on the Sunday is also great. If the competition is close between the leading riders on the final day the atmosphere in the arena can be electric. The whole weekend can sometimes go down to a single fault on the final jump. The collective crowd hardly breathes when that happens.
Thanks very much for the replies, perfect info and very much appreciated 
Neither of us ride, but my wife has (part) owned a horse when she was growing up, I'm just hoping if we go it won't trigger an itch and she decides she wants to get back into it, not sure our bank account could take it at the moment
Neither of us ride, but my wife has (part) owned a horse when she was growing up, I'm just hoping if we go it won't trigger an itch and she decides she wants to get back into it, not sure our bank account could take it at the moment
Finding events - A google search is about as good as it gets for local events unless you call a local competition yard who will be more than happy to share events coming up. (careful not to phone a polo yard)
As for Zetec's wife getting that itch..... good luck!!!!!!! (We are 15 acres 3 tractors and a lot of time into scratching that one)
As for Zetec's wife getting that itch..... good luck!!!!!!! (We are 15 acres 3 tractors and a lot of time into scratching that one)
Zetec-S said:
Thanks very much for the replies, perfect info and very much appreciated
Neither of us ride, but my wife has (part) owned a horse when she was growing up, I'm just hoping if we go it won't trigger an itch and she decides she wants to get back into it, not sure our bank account could take it at the moment
My partner is horsey and has a horse. a coke addiction would be cheaperNeither of us ride, but my wife has (part) owned a horse when she was growing up, I'm just hoping if we go it won't trigger an itch and she decides she wants to get back into it, not sure our bank account could take it at the moment
we've have been a few times. It's a nice day out if the weather is good. Always impressed with the size of the gates/jumps etc.
joema said:
Zetec-S said:
Thanks very much for the replies, perfect info and very much appreciated
Neither of us ride, but my wife has (part) owned a horse when she was growing up, I'm just hoping if we go it won't trigger an itch and she decides she wants to get back into it, not sure our bank account could take it at the moment
My partner is horsey and has a horse. a coke addiction would be cheaperNeither of us ride, but my wife has (part) owned a horse when she was growing up, I'm just hoping if we go it won't trigger an itch and she decides she wants to get back into it, not sure our bank account could take it at the moment
we've have been a few times. It's a nice day out if the weather is good. Always impressed with the size of the gates/jumps etc.
I bought my partner a pair of tickets for her birthday a few years ago so her and a friend could go.
Not my cup of tea, but thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Sturdy shoes required if you want to go and look around the course. Lots of food outlets, and lots of opportunities to buy "stuff" - they came back with tweed jackets, scented candles, wine glasses and other overly-expensive bits and bobs.
Was probably my most-appreciated gift (the fact i wasn't there might have helped), so on that basis i'd say go for it.
Not my cup of tea, but thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Sturdy shoes required if you want to go and look around the course. Lots of food outlets, and lots of opportunities to buy "stuff" - they came back with tweed jackets, scented candles, wine glasses and other overly-expensive bits and bobs.
Was probably my most-appreciated gift (the fact i wasn't there might have helped), so on that basis i'd say go for it.
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