The Best of Badminton Horse Trials

The 2017 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, starting on Wednesday 3rd May, has a new course designer: Eric Winter, and he’s certainly given the course a distinctive look. Incorporating tracks of the 70s with 21st century safety technology, the course has deliberately scaled down on unnecessary decoration, producing a far more natural look, with most fences using rustic timber.

There’s a reason the cross-country element of the Horse Trials is the most popular day: no other part of the event allows visitors to see the sport’s most prolific riders as close to as they tackle the most prestigious and exciting course in the world. If you are going to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this year, don’t miss the opportunity of walking the course, so that you can appreciate just what these extraordinary men and women and of course their horses have to tackle. Once you’d walked the course, it pays to find a prime spot for viewing, so here are the top five fences to head to.

Fence no.1. ASX Starter

The first fence of the course, the ASX Starter is highly decorated with colourful flowers to stand out for the horses, and is handily located in the main arena with grandstand seating. Not only will you have a perfect view, you’ll also be able to wave off competitors as they head out on to the course.

Fence no.8. The Lake

A popular spectator’s fence, The Lake involves a big drop into the water followed by a step up to a choice of sharply angled brushes – with a very long alternative. Eric has put The Lake complex earlier in the course than it has been in recent years, so that he could make it a bit more of a challenge. With plenty of space around this complex, plus grandstand seating, you’re sure to find a decent viewing spot.

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Fence no.15. Hildon Water Pond

After galloping up a short incline, riders will reach Hildon Water Pond; a single tree trunk in, another in the water and a sharply angled log away. Boasting two very narrow tree trunks as obstacles, this element will test the rider’s accuracy and the horse’s honesty to stay on course and not to run out. If you get just the right spot on the sidelines, you’ll be able to see all three obstacles jumped in a row.

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Fence no.23. Irish Horse Gateway Huntsmans Close

Well into the second half of the course, the Irish Horse Gateway log piles in Huntsmans Close are a test of handiness as the horses begin to tire. Watch from the well-positioned grandstand seating next to the element as horse and rider weave and wind through the trees and over the two log piles, which it’s been noted are much kinder this year.

Fence no.30. Mitsubishi Final Mount

Back to the main arena and the comfort of the grandstand seating, spectators will be able to cheer on weary combinations as they tackle the last element on the course - The Mitsubishi Final Mount. This year’s final fence has been built based on Tots Hanson’s winning design of Badminton’s popular fence-designing competition, and provides a fitting finale.

For more information, or to book tickets, visit www.badminton-horse.co.uk

For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, visit http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/