Andrew Pace
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual five-day event that takes place in May in South Gloucestershire, England. It is one of only seven Concours Complet International (CCI) Five Star events in the world, and it attracts large crowds of up to a quarter of a million people. The event includes a cross-country day, which is the second-largest in the world in terms of money made. The cross-country course is located within the 1,500-acre grounds of the Badminton Estate, and features a variety of jumps and obstacles for horses and riders to navigate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 4th-8th May |
| Location | Badminton House, South Gloucestershire, England, UK |
| History | First held in 1949; cancelled in 1966, 1975, 1987, 2001, 2012, 2020, and 2021 |
| Popularity | Attracts crowds of up to a quarter of a million |
| Course | Features jumps, ditches, and brushes; includes traditional and new routes |
| Safety | Considered one of the most dangerous equestrian sports; safety measures include protective equipment and redesigned courses |
| Notable Incidents | Several horse and rider injuries and fatalities |
| Apps | Badminton Horse Trials app, CrossCountry App |
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What You'll Learn
- The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual 5-day event held in May
- It takes place in the grounds of Badminton House, South Gloucestershire, UK
- The cross-country day attracts crowds of up to 250,000 people
- The course includes jumps like the Voltaire Designs Huntsman's Close and the Lightsource bp Log
- The event has been cancelled several times due to bad weather, disease, and the COVID-19 pandemic
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual 5-day event held in May
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual five-day event held in May, usually during the first or second week. The event, which began in 1949, takes place in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Duke of Beaufort, in South Gloucestershire, England. The grounds cover an area of about six square kilometres (1,500 acres) and include car parks, tradestands, an arena, and cross-country courses.
The Badminton Horse Trials is one of only seven annual Concours Complet International (CCI) Five Star events recognised by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). It was first held to allow British riders to train for international competitions and was advertised as "the most important horse event in Britain". The event has since become a prestigious fixture on the equestrian calendar, attracting large crowds, particularly on cross-country day, which is the second-largest such event in the world for money-making.
The Badminton Horse Trials have been cancelled or downgraded on several occasions due to various circumstances, including bad weather, foot-and-mouth disease, waterlogged ground, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The event has a history of serious injuries and fatalities among both horses and riders, leading to increased safety measures such as protective equipment and course redesigns.
The 2025 Badminton Horse Trials took place from May 7 to May 11, with the international competition commencing on the first day. The event featured various activities, including the LeMieux Grassroots Championships, the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Class, dressage displays, and the Shetland Pony Grand National. The Cross Country event, a highlight of the trials, took place on Saturday, drawing a large crowd.
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It takes place in the grounds of Badminton House, South Gloucestershire, UK
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual five-day event that takes place in May in the grounds of Badminton House, South Gloucestershire, UK. The event, which was first held in 1949, is classified as one of only seven annual Concours Complet International (CCI) Five Star events by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).
The competition takes place in the 1,500-acre grounds of the Badminton Estate, where car parks, tradestands, arenas, and cross-country courses are located. The cross-country day at Badminton attracts crowds of up to a quarter of a million people, making it the second-largest such event in the world in terms of money made.
The Badminton Horse Trials have been cancelled or cut short on several occasions. In 1963, it was downgraded to a one-day event due to bad weather. The event was completely cancelled in 1966, 1975, 1987, 2001 (due to foot and mouth disease), 2012 (due to waterlogged ground), and 2020 and 2021 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
The event is known for its challenging course, which includes jumps, ditches, and water features. The course is redesigned each year to introduce new elements and challenges for competitors. The sport of eventing is considered one of the most dangerous equestrian sports, and there have been several serious injuries and fatalities at Badminton over the years. Despite the risks, the Badminton Horse Trials remains a popular and prestigious event, attracting competitors and spectators from around the world.
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The cross-country day attracts crowds of up to 250,000 people
The Badminton Horse Trials is a prestigious five-day equestrian event held annually in May, in the grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, UK. The event has a rich history, dating back to 1949, when it was first organised by the 10th Duke of Beaufort to facilitate training for British riders ahead of international competitions.
The cross-country day at Badminton is a significant attraction, drawing crowds of up to 250,000 people. This makes it the second-largest such event in the world in terms of attendance and monetary gains, surpassed only by the Indianapolis 500. The popularity of the cross-country day can be attributed to the excitement and challenges presented by the course.
The course designers continuously introduce new elements to test the skills of both horses and riders. For instance, in 2024, competitors faced the LeMieux Eyelash Brushes, which included an angled brush, a water-filled ditch, and an angled hedge, demanding straight jumping from the horses. Another notable feature was the Voltaire Designs Huntsman's Close, with its open parallel bars and turns through trees, posing a significant test for riders' angle management.
The Lightsource bp Mound, introduced in 2024, offered a unique challenge with a big step on a large bank, giving the impression of a steep drop. This section allowed riders to choose their approach, with some horses leaping off the top while others descended more cautiously, making it unpredictable for spectators. The Wiltshire Brewers' Drays, featuring a massive log pile, further emphasised the unpredictable nature of the course.
Badminton's cross-country course has witnessed both triumphs and tragedies. While it has seen impressive performances and determined finishes, there have also been unfortunate incidents, including horse and rider injuries and fatalities. Despite these risks, the event remains a celebrated tradition, attracting a vast audience eager to witness the skill, bravery, and excitement of equestrian sports.
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The course includes jumps like the Voltaire Designs Huntsman's Close and the Lightsource bp Log
The Badminton Horse Trials, held annually in May, is one of the seven annual Concours Complet International (CCI) Five Star events recognised by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). The event, which takes place in South Gloucestershire, UK, attracts a crowd of up to a quarter of a million people during its cross-country day, making it the second largest in the world in terms of money made.
The Badminton Horse Trials have had a long history, with the first event taking place in 1949. However, it has been cancelled several times due to various reasons, including bad weather, foot and mouth disease, waterlogged ground, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The event has also seen several serious injuries and fatalities over the years, leading to increased safety measures such as the use of protective equipment and the redesign of jumps and courses.
The cross-country course at Badminton is located within the 1,500-acre grounds of the Badminton Estate, along with car parks, tradestands, and the arena. The estate provides a challenging and exciting course for competitors and has become a well-known destination for equestrian enthusiasts and riders worldwide.
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The event has been cancelled several times due to bad weather, disease, and the COVID-19 pandemic
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual five-day event that takes place in May in the grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, UK. The event has been cancelled several times due to bad weather, disease, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its history, the Badminton Horse Trials have been cancelled completely on seven occasions: in 1966, 1975, 1987, 2001, 2012, 2020, and 2021. The event was also downgraded to a one-day event in 1963 due to poor weather conditions.
The 2001 cancellation was due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. In 2012, the event was cancelled due to waterlogged ground. The most recent cancellations, in 2020 and 2021, were due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused widespread disruption to events worldwide.
The Badminton Horse Trials attract crowds of up to a quarter of a million people and is the second-largest such event in the world in terms of money made. The event was first held in 1949 by the 10th Duke of Beaufort to allow British riders to train for international events. It has since become one of only seven annual Concours Complet International (CCI) Five Star events, classified by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).
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Frequently asked questions
The Badminton Horse Trials is a five-day event held annually in May.
The event takes place in the six-square-kilometre (1,500-acre) grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, England.
The cross-country day at Badminton attracts crowds of up to a quarter of a million people, making it the second largest in the world in terms of money made.
