Another Badminton post...

i think the first horse on the course is usually at 11am, so you can walk it before that... you can't walk right up to the fences though, not allowed any more, protecting the course and take-offs against thousands of feet.
 
You walk around the course all day - you can't actually go up to the jumps until the last horse has been around.
 
[ QUOTE ]
you can't walk right up to the fences though, not allowed any more, protecting the course and take-offs against thousands of feet.

[/ QUOTE ]

can you get anywhere near them on the friday(sounds obv,but riders will want to walk and (if theyre like me like to test all areas under their own feet) before the horse does)??

am going fri watch the dressage, never been on friday before, am very much looking forward to it, whats it like on dressage day???
 
and close enough for me to take lots of pictures of how huge the jumps are???
wink.gif
 
If you go on Thurs or Friday you can walk the course, alongside the string, so within a few metres of the jumps. Only competitors are allowed to walk ON the track.

On Saturday you can walk alongside the whole course, which is what most people do, starting either at fence 1 or at the fence nearest where they park, and they watch 1/2 horses jump each fence before walking on to the next one. However, there will be a LOT of people thronging round each fence, and you may need to wait to get next to the string, and close enough for undisturbed pictures, especially round the feature fences.

If you don't fancy all that walking, you can pick a spot, and wiggle your way to the front as others move, and stay there, or you can sit in the grandstand seats (free on Saturday) and watch the arena fence, and the rest on the big screen.

On Thurs and Friday, if you don't buy Dressage grandstand seats (with best view) you can still sit in the remaining seats (usually behind judges, and further away) to watch, free of charge.

Any other Q's ?

Oh .. and beware the queuing to get in... it can take a while, so leave as early as you can.. its certainly a full day out, with TONNES of shopping too!
 
I don't know exactly when the queues start.. but I would expect to be queuing from 9am if you are accessing it from the M4... when I have stayed north of Badminton, and approached from that side, the access seemed easier.
 
... also be aware that you will walk quite a way from your car, so best to plan to carry everything you need... and not plan to return to it, unless you're taking a mahoosive picnic!

When you do watch the dressage, sit yourself so you can see the electronic scoreboards so you can watch the scores go up for each movement from the 3 judges, and if you buy a Radio Badminton (£7 I think) you will be able to listen to a commentary via that all day (all days), so I found that brilliant.
 
You'll certainly get close enough to appreciate the jumps. The last time I went, I was next to one when Mary King sailed over it and could only exclaim, 'JEEEEEEEEEEESUSS!!' 90% of the jumps are bigger than my ickle exmoor. I wonder if we'd be penalised for walking under them?!?
 
Everything you need to know is at:

http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/

I think if you pre-order your tickets, not only are they a bit cheaper, but you should get waived through into carparks quicker than queuing up to pay ..... I think its cash only (never tried a card)... and don't forget you pay for the car and the passengers, so its quite a bit if you can a carfull.

Gates open at 8 on Thurs/Fri/Sun and 7am on Sat.
 
Ooooh might have to get there really early then! We've bought our tickets online so hopefuly we'll be able to wave at the queueing people as we sail past
grin.gif


Kerilli - I think we'll have to stay til the end now! I'm glad my OH didn't want to come - he can get the horses in...hahaha!
grin.gif
smirk.gif
 
am ssoooo xcited cant wait, am like a big kid!! (bn selling stuff on ebay for ages to get shopping money together)
grin.gif
!!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top