Improvements galore as Badminton gets ready

WINTER has barely got into gear yet and if the signs are being correctly interpreted, we may yet be in for a spell of very cold weather following the pattern we saw last year with the Beast from the East, writes Philip Bowern.

But while it’s a very long way to spring, there are signs that Mother Nature is at least preparing herself for longer days, a bit of warmth and all that goes with it in the natural world. My weekday morning walk still takes place in the gloom. The slowly lengthening days have yet to show themselves when the pup and I are out first thing. Her flashing luminous collar and my torch are still essential equipment for the first walk of the day which has to be taken at the crack of dawn if I am to complete my other morning chores and still

It’s one of the world’s great equestrian events and already plans are well advanced for another headline-grabbing Badminton Horse Trials

THE countdown to this year’s Badminton Horse Trials is under way, with tickets going on general sale on Monday.

This will be the 28th and final year that the event will be held under the sponsorship of Mitsubishi Motors – thought to be a record-breaking commercial tie-up in terms of its length.

But although tickets are only just going on sale, preparations for the huge equestrian event are well under way.

And while this may be the 70th anniversary of the first competition, innovations are made with each running.

The event is now providing an e-ticketing service, which should speed up entry to the showground, and admission can be bought right up to the day of the event, which will run from May 1 to 5.

Entries for the trials are expected from the victorious British world champion squad and the cream of the rest of the globe.

Spectators turned up in unprecedented numbers last year and they will be able to enjoy further enhancements this time round. The popular Lakeside area has been revitalised, along with the Members and Deli enclosures, and the 2018 newcomer to the burgeoning shopping village, The World of Food and Wine, will be expanded.

The campsite, which now has more than 1,300 pitches, will this year be complemented just up the road by a glamping field – often seen populated by the A-listers at big music events. It is expected to lend extra style to the Badminton experience.

After a successful premiere last year, the fans will be able to submit questions to the top three riders each day on a stage by the Media Centre.

For the very knowledgeable, Badminton has, along with the five other top events of its type, had its rating upgraded by the international federation the FEI from 4* to 5*. However, for practical purposes, this will have no effect on Eric Winter’s course, of which he has been the designer for the past two years.

Badminton remains the dream of riders the world over. Festivities begin with the amateurs’ championship, the Mitsubishi Motors Cup, on the Tuesday and Wednesday.

The box office opened to existing customers early last week and the ticketing kiosk will be available to allcomers on Monday.

David Davies/PA Wire Oliver Townend was the highest place British rider at last year’s Badminton, coming second on Cooley SRS

Chas Breton Marlborough-based New Zealander Jonelle Price on her way to winning last year’s Badminton Horse trials with Classy Moet

Philip Bowern has been treated to the sound of a thrush in full voice