Amanda Knapp
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual five-day event that takes place in May in South Gloucestershire, England. It is considered one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world, attracting crowds of up to a quarter of a million people. The event is held in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Duke of Beaufort, and was first organised in 1949 to allow British riders to train for international competitions. The trials cover a 1,500-acre area, featuring arenas, cross-country courses, and tradestands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Badminton Horse Trials |
| Location | Badminton House, South Gloucestershire, England, UK |
| Date | Annually in May |
| Duration | Five days |
| Camping Site | Available from 6th May 2025 |
| Tickets | Available for purchase online |
| Car Passes | Must be pre-booked separately |
| Lakeside Tables | Require separate booking and tickets |
| Related Events | Kentucky Three-Day Event, Burghley Horse Trials, Luhmühlen Horse Trials, Australian International Three Day Event, Stars of Pau, Maryland Five Star at Fairhill |
| Yellow Warning Cards | Issued for dangerous riding, abuse of horses, or unsafe practices |
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What You'll Learn
- The Badminton Horse Trials are held annually in May
- The event is hosted at the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, UK
- The event was first held in 1949, inspired by the 1948 Summer Olympics
- The event attracts large crowds, with cross-country day attracting up to a quarter of a million people
- The event includes camping and gourmet food and beverage options
The Badminton Horse Trials are held annually in May
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual five-day event held in May, in South Gloucestershire, England. It is one of only seven annual Concours Complet International (CCI) Five Star events, as classified by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). The event takes place in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Duke of Beaufort. The first Badminton Horse Trials was held in 1949, hosted 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 event has been held annually since, with several exceptions. It was cancelled in 1966, 1975, 1987, 2001, 2012, 2020, and 2021. In 1963, it was downgraded to a one-day event due to poor weather. In 1959, the event was so popular that it was held in two sections, called the Great and Little Badminton, with horses divided based on their money winnings. The graded approach was abandoned after 1965.
The Badminton Horse Trials is considered one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. It forms the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, along with the Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Burghley Horse Trials. Only two people have ever won the Grand Slam: Pippa Funnell in 2003 and Michael Jung in 2015-2016. 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 event is held on the 1,500-acre grounds of the Badminton Estate, where car parks, tradestands, an arena, and cross-country courses are located. The estate features the infamous "Badminton Lake", which is the centre of all the cross-country action. The Lakeside Pavilions offer a premium experience, with gourmet food and beverages, live screening of the event, and the best view of the iconic water jump.
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The event is hosted at the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, UK
The Badminton Horse Trials is an annual five-day event held in May in South Gloucestershire, UK. It is hosted in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Duke of Beaufort, within the Badminton Estate. The event first took place in 1949, allowing British riders to train for international events. It was advertised as "the most important horse event in Britain".
The Badminton Estate spans 1,500 acres, providing ample space for the event's car parks, tradestands, arenas, and cross-country courses. The event attracts large crowds, with up to a quarter of a million people attending the cross-country day, making it the second-largest such event in the world in terms of money made.
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 is part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which also includes the Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Burghley Horse Trials. Only two people have ever won the Grand Slam: Pippa Funnell in 2003 and Michael Jung in 2015-2016.
The event has a camping site located a short walk from the main showground, accommodating caravans, motorhomes, horse boxes, and tents. The grounds feature the infamous "Badminton Lake", which is the centre of cross-country action on Saturday. Lakeside Pavilions offer an assortment of gourmet food and beverages, along with live screening of the event and entertainment in the evenings.
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The event was first held in 1949, inspired by the 1948 Summer Olympics
The Badminton Horse Trials, held annually in May, is one of the world's most prestigious equestrian events. The event was first held in 1949, inspired by the 1948 Summer Olympics, which included the first three-day equestrian event in the UK. The Badminton Horse Trials was founded by the 10th Duke of Beaufort to provide British riders with an opportunity to train for international events. It was advertised as "the most important horse event in Britain".
The inaugural Badminton Horse Trials featured 22 horses from Britain and Ireland, with Golden Willow, ridden by John Sheddon, claiming victory. Eight of the 22 starters failed to complete the cross-country course. The event has since grown in popularity and scale, attracting around 200,000 spectators each year. It is one of only seven annual Concours Complet International (CCI) Five Star events recognised by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).
The Trials are held over five days in the six-square-kilometre (1,500-acre) grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, England. The estate includes car parks, tradestands, an arena, and cross-country courses. The competition consists of three equestrian disciplines: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. Each discipline tests the skills, strength, and abilities of both horse and rider.
The Badminton Horse Trials has a rich history, having hosted the first European Championship in 1953, won by Major Laurence Rook riding Starlight XV. In 1955, the event was held at Windsor Castle at the invitation of the Queen. In 1959, due to its growing popularity, the event was divided into two sections: the Great and Little Badminton. The Trials have been cancelled or downgraded on several occasions due to adverse weather conditions, disease outbreaks, and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The event attracts large crowds, with cross-country day attracting up to a quarter of a million people
The Badminton Horse Trials, held annually in May, is a five-day event that attracts large crowds to the grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, England. The event, first held in 1949, is one of only seven annual Concours Complet International (CCI) Five Star events recognised by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).
The highlight of the Badminton Horse Trials for many is the cross-country day, which draws crowds of up to a quarter of a million people, making it the second-largest such event in the world in terms of attendance. The cross-country course, set up around the infamous "Badminton Lake", presents a challenging and exciting spectacle for spectators.
The popularity of the event has led to some measures to manage the large crowds, such as the introduction of a graded approach in 1959, dividing the competition into two sections: Great and Little Badminton. This format was discontinued after 1965 due to the continued growth of the event. Today, managing the crowds involves careful organisation of parking and admission, with separate passes required for the Lakeside area, which offers a premium viewing experience with gourmet food and beverages, as well as live screening of the action.
The Badminton Horse Trials has a rich history, having served as the venue for the first European Championship in 1953. Over the years, the event has faced challenges due to dangerous course conditions, with a focus now on improving safety for both horses and riders. Despite these challenges, the event remains a prominent fixture in the equestrian world, attracting participants and spectators from near and far.
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The event includes camping and gourmet food and beverage options
The Badminton Horse Trials, held annually since 1949, is one of only seven Concours Complet International (CCI) Five Star equestrian events in the world. It takes place in May, in the park of Badminton House, South Gloucestershire, England. The event attracts large crowds, with up to a quarter of a million people attending the cross-country day.
The Badminton Horse Trials cater to a range of culinary tastes and preferences. The iconic Lakeside area features gourmet food and beverages, with reserved tables available for pre-booking. The Tented Village hosts over 100 street food vendors offering a global culinary journey, including woodfired pizza, tacos, bao buns, Greek wraps, and Japanese street food. Lakeside Pavilions can be booked for private groups, providing catering tents, electricity, Wi-Fi, and entertainment via Closed-Circuit Television.
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, the Portcullis Club offers hospitality packages that include morning tea/coffee, breakfast, a pre-luncheon drink, a 3-course buffet luncheon, afternoon tea, and access to a pay bar. The club has specific dress code recommendations, suggesting smart casual or country wear, with sensible walking shoes.
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Frequently asked questions
The Badminton Horse Show is held in the grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, UK.
The Badminton Horse Show takes place annually over five days in May.
The Badminton Camping Site is a short walk from the main showground and welcomes caravans, motorhomes, horse boxes, and tents.
