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The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual event held in the grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, UK. It was first held in 1949 by the 10th Duke of Beaufort to allow British riders to train for international events. The event attracts up to a quarter of a million spectators and is considered one of the most prestigious events in the world eventing calendar. The trials include dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. The cross-country day is particularly popular, with spectators arriving early to secure a good spot and some choosing to set up a picnic by jumps like the water or the quarry. While the exact start time may vary, sources suggest that spectators should aim to arrive by 8 am, with the first riders setting off at intervals from 11:30 am onwards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 7th-11th May, 2025 |
| Location | Badminton Estate, South Gloucestershire, UK |
| Size | Six-square-kilometre (1,500-acre) |
| Tickets | Only available in advance through the online box office |
| Parking | Requires a car parking pass |
| Attendance | Attracts crowds of up to a quarter of a million |
| Start Time | 11:30 am with riders setting off at five-minute intervals |
| Course | 32 solid fences, including ditches, water, gates, and brushes |
| Streaming | Live on Badminton TV, hosted by ClipMyHorse.TV |
| History | First held in 1949 by the 10th Duke of Beaufort |
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What You'll Learn
Badminton Horse Trials schedule
The Badminton Horse Trials, first held in 1949, is an annual event that takes place in South Gloucestershire, UK. The event has a full schedule of activities, including dressage, show jumping, and cross-country competitions.
The 2024 schedule for the Badminton Horse Trials included:
Saturday, 11 May: Cross-country day, with the first pair, Tom Jackson and Farndon, starting at 11:30 am, and subsequent horses and riders setting off at five-minute intervals. The final competitors, Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick, were expected to begin their round at 4:09 pm.
The Badminton Horse Trials were cancelled or downgraded on several occasions due to various circumstances, including bad weather, foot and mouth disease, waterlogged ground, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the 2025 event, the schedule was as follows:
- Wednesday, 7 May: Dressage, show jumping, and cross-country practice, with a separate ticket requirement for the main arena.
- Sunday, 11 May: Showjumping phase, with separate grandstand seats required for the main arena.
The 2026 event is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, 6 May, to Sunday, 10 May.
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Badminton Estate location
The Badminton Estate is located in South Gloucestershire, UK, and covers 1,500 acres (6 square kilometres) of land. It has been the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the late 17th century and is currently home to the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort.
Badminton Estate is perhaps best known for its role in the history of the sport that bears its name. The story goes that during the hard winter of 1863, the children of the eighth Duke of Beaufort invented a new game in the Great Hall of Badminton House, using a featherweight shuttlecock that would not damage the life-size portraits of horses that adorned the room. This game eventually became the sport of badminton, popularised at Badminton House and thus named after the estate.
Badminton House is a Grade I Listed Building, designed by architect William Kent in the Palladian style for the fourth Duke of Beaufort, who succeeded his brother in 1745. The beautiful parkland surrounding the house was designed by Capability Brown and covers 52,000 acres (21,000 hectares). The gardens and park are listed at Grade I on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
The estate has been the site of many outdoor events and sporting challenges, including the world-famous Badminton Horse Trials, which was first held in 1949 by the 10th Duke of Beaufort to allow British riders to train for international events. The event has been cancelled several times due to bad weather, disease, and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Horse and rider intervals
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual eventing competition held in Gloucestershire, UK, in the grounds of Badminton House, the estate of the Duke of Beaufort. The competition is one of the toughest and most exciting equestrian events in the world, attracting between 75 and 85 riders. It is the pinnacle of the worldwide horse trials calendar.
The competition takes place over four days, with each day consisting of a different discipline. On the first or second day, horses and riders must complete a dressage test, demonstrating obedience, discipline, accuracy, and elegance. This is done in a 20m by 60m arena, with a 'test' of set movements between markers. The test consists of 25 movements in walk, trot, and canter, and of varying complexity. Each movement carries a maximum of 10 marks, with an additional mark out of 20 for overall impression. The scores from three judges are averaged and expressed as a penalty score.
On the third day, horses and riders must complete a 4-mile cross-country course, jumping solid man-made and natural obstacles within a set time. The course must be completed at an average speed of 570 meters per minute, and this speed, along with the length of the course, gives the 'optimum time'. This time is deliberately difficult to achieve, and penalty marks are added for exceeding it. Horses are set off at intervals of three to four minutes, and it will take up to 13 minutes to complete the course.
On the fourth and final day, competitors must complete a course of show jumps, testing their agility and accuracy, again within a given time. The competitors jump in reverse order, so the leader after the cross country is the last to jump. Penalties are picked up by knocking down the deliberately balanced fences, refusing to jump a fence, or not completing the course within the optimum time.
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Spectator tips
Badminton Horse Trials, one of the most prestigious equestrian events, was first held in 1949 and continues to be a significant event in the equestrian calendar. Here are some tips for spectators planning to attend the Badminton Horse Trials Cross-Country Day:
Plan Your Journey and Arrive Early
Arrive early to avoid getting stuck in traffic, as the lanes around the event can become congested. Plan your journey, aiming to arrive by 8 am or even earlier to secure a good spot and avoid the rush. The car parks can be a long walk from the main event area, so be prepared for a bit of a trek. Make sure you purchase your entry and parking tickets in advance, as they are not typically sold at the gate.
Dress Appropriately and Pack Sensibly
Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Bring waterproof clothing or sun protection, depending on the conditions. Wear sensible shoes and consider bringing extra layers to stay comfortable throughout the day. Pack snacks and drinks, but note that the event is ''plastic bottle-free,' so bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at the water refill stations.
Explore the Course and Find a Good Viewing Spot
After you've entered the venue, you can explore the course and choose a good spot to watch the action. You can opt to stay at one jump or move around to see different parts of the course throughout the day. Some spectators like to set up a picnic by a popular jump, such as the water feature. If you want to walk the entire course, it is recommended to arrive early, as the day can feel longer than expected.
Enjoy the Atmosphere and Other Attractions
In addition to the thrilling cross-country action, there are over 500 trade stands and retailers to explore. You can take advantage of the 'shop and drop' service, which is located near the Red Cross station and is usually open from 10 am to 5 pm. Don't forget to check out the warm-up area, as it can be quite exciting to watch the riders prepare for the competition.
Stay Informed and Be Aware of Safety Measures
Keep an eye on the official Badminton Horse Trials website and social media channels for the latest updates, schedules, and interactive course maps. Be mindful of safety precautions, such as keeping dogs on short leads and following any COVID-19 guidelines that may be in place.
By following these tips, you can make the most of your Badminton Horse Trials Cross-Country Day experience and create memorable moments as a spectator.
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Event history
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual event held in the grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, UK. The event was first held in 1949 by the 10th Duke of Beaufort to allow British riders to train for international events. It was advertised as "the most important horse event in Britain".
The first Badminton Horse Trials featured 22 horses from Britain and Ireland, with Golden Willow taking the top prize. Eight of the 22 starters failed to complete the cross-country course. The event has been cancelled on several occasions, including in 1966, 1975, 1987, 2001, 2012, 2020, and 2021. The 2001 cancellation was due to a foot and mouth disease outbreak, while the 2012 event was called off due to waterlogged grounds. The most recent cancellations in 2020 and 2021 were due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Badminton Horse Trials has grown in popularity since its inception and is now one of the most prestigious events in the world of equestrian sports. The event attracts crowds of up to a quarter of a million people and is the second-largest in the world for money made, after the Indianapolis 500. The competition features various phases, including dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. The cross-country phase, in particular, is known for its challenging course, featuring a range of obstacles such as ditches, water, gates, and brushes.
The event has also been a platform for memorable performances and unfortunate incidents. In 1953, Major Laurence Rook on Starlight XV won the first European Championship held at Badminton. In 2003, Anna Hassö from Sweden suffered a serious injury when she fell from her horse, Son of a Bitch, during the cross-country phase. More recently, in 2024, Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier were crowned winners of the Badminton Horse Trials.
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Frequently asked questions
The Badminton Horse Trials is an event held in South Gloucestershire, UK, in the grounds of the Badminton Estate. The 2024 event started at 11:30 am on Saturday, 11 May. The first pair, Tom Jackson and Farndon, set off from the start box at this time.
Tickets for the 2024 Badminton XC event were available for purchase in advance through the online box office. Ticket sales closed at midnight on 10 May 2024, the day before the event.
The Badminton Horse Trials were first held in 1949 by the 10th Duke of Beaufort to enable British riders to train for international competitions. It was advertised as "the most important horse event in Britain". The event has been cancelled several times due to adverse weather conditions, disease outbreaks, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attendees recommend arriving early, preferably around 8 am, to avoid heavy traffic and long queues. It is also suggested to explore the course, visit trade stands, and watch the warm-up sessions before the event begins.
