Badminton Horse Trials 2008

4 May – Four-days of thrilling equestrian action will be taking place at Badminton Horse Trials 2008, in Gloucestershire this May.

Badminton Horse Trials has been a major feature in the equestrian calendar since the event was first started in 1949. Touted as the ‘World’s Most Important Horse Trials’, visitors from across Gloucestershire and beyond will find even more to thrill spectators at the four-day event in 2008 – complete with a brand new course.

As 2008 is an Olympic year, there is always an added frisson to Badminton and 2008 looks a very hot competition as riders compete to be selected to represent their nations at the Games in Beijing. At the close of entries in March there were representatives from no fewer than 14 countries including Brazil, Japan, Croatia, Italy, Denmark and the USA, hoping to make the cut of 85 starters from an entry of 150. This year there is a waiting list system, so that riders can move up the list for contention till the Monday of the event.

Already the top of that list, World Champion Zara Phillips has benefited from a withdrawal and can now start with her horse Ardfield Magic Star. While some riders will be staking their claim for an Olympic place, others, secure in their selection, will be running their second string horses.

There are five previous winners of the Mitsubishi Trophy in the line up in 2008: Mary King, who has publicly tipped herself to win, has entered Imperial Cavalier and Appache Sauce. William Fox-Pitt has entered four to pick two from, Balincoola, Macchiato, Parkmore Ed and former title holder Tamarillo. Rodney Powell, who won on the Irishman in 1991 comes with Zin Zan II and Andrew Hoy, a Burghley winner as long ago as 1979, comes with his 2006 Badminton winner Moon Fleet.

Pippa Funnell will also return to Badminton with Ensign. While the current Gallic star of eventing Nicholas Touzaint, double European Champion, comes with Hildago de I’lle. Andrew Nicholson, from New Zealand, who has ridden round the park an astonishing 26 times, but is yet to win has three entered; Silbury Hill, Armada and Ginger May Killinghurst.

Though the old pros keep coming back, there is always the excitement of a group of Badminton debutantes. At this stage there are only 14 first timers however. With prize money for 1st place having been increased to £60,000 in 2008, competition is set to be stiff.

While organisers are still confirming details of the Badminton Horse Trials 2008, the provisional timetable is as follows: Thursday 1 May will feature a day-long dressage display; Friday 2 May will feature more dressage and a stallion display; Saturday 3 May is set to include a display from the horse charity Blue Cross, the Shetland Grand National and the cross-country test; while Sunday 4 May is set to include a jumping test, band display, parade of competitors, a jumping test for the top 20 competitors and a parade of the Duke of Beaufort’s hounds, finishing with the presentation of prizes.

The deadline to pre-book tickets has now passed, so if you don’t already have a ticket you will need to buy them on the gate: tickets cost £10 for vehicles and £11 per person on Thursday 1 May; £10 for vehicles and £11 per person on Friday 2 May; £10 for vehicles and £22 per person on Saturday 3 May; £10 for vehicles and £9 per person on Sunday 4 May; four-day season tickets will not be available unless purchased in advance. Vehicle passes must be bought if you intend to drive into the grounds, while children under the age of 12 are admitted free of charge.

The cross country day alone, on Saturday 3 May, at Badminton attracts crowds of up to 250,000 – the largest for any paid-entry sport event in the United Kingdom – so don’t hang around getting your hands on tickets for the Horse Trials in 2008, if you want to catch sight of this year’s action.

Event: Badminton Horse Trials 2008
Venue: Badminton House, Badminton, Gloucestershire, GL9 1DF
Dates: Thursday 1 May to Sunday 4 May 2008
Tickets: Vary in price, see above for more details. Contact the Badminton box office on (01454) 218375 for more information.

SoGlos.com
28 April 2008