Badminton 2024 thread

[teapot]

Not sure there has been one yet?

Entries are here: https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/list-of-entries-for-badminton-2024/ and for the first time, riders are allowed to run three horses.

Sadly being an Olympic year we won't see Walter try and defend his title though

 

[LEC]

A lot are double entered for Kentucky and will probably go there as 2 weeks earlier. A few are swerving 5* like London 52, Vendredi Biats and Lordships Graffalo. They will just run 4*S with final trial at Bicton.

 

[millitiger]

Oh exciting!
One of my favourite weekends of the year.
I do hope the weather is kinder than last year, my Stierna coat got a real work out on the Friday!

 

[SpottyTB]

Do we think it’s going to run?!

 

[teapot]

Do we think it’s going to run?!

Hell has to freeze over for a 5* to cancel

 

[Spotherisk]

But it has been cancelled many times before.

 

[TheMule]

But it has been cancelled many times before.

In more recent times is has only cancelled once due to weather (2012)

 

[teapot]

But it has been cancelled many times before.

It's been cancelled five times since 1987 - weather in 1987, Foot and Mouth in 2001, weather/ground in 2012, and Covid in 2020 and 2021. Not exactly many times in the last almost forty years.

 

[SpottyTB]

It's been cancelled five times since 1987 - weather in 1987, Foot and Mouth in 2001, weather/ground in 2012, and Covid in 2020 and 2021. Not exactly many times in the last almost forty years.

Oh that’s good to know! I might stop looking at last minute holidays then

 

[equinerebel]

Oh, it's time to get excited!

 

[Chippers1]

I'm working thurs and fri, if you want some free dog treats (or chocolate) go over to the Mars stand!

 

[kathantoinette]

I'm still traumatised from the mud last year!! This year I'm opting for Badminton TV from my sofa with some lovely snacks to eat whilst watching!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'm still traumatised from the mud last year!! This year I'm opting for Badminton TV from my sofa with some lovely snacks to eat whilst watching!

Me too!

This was just from the second dressage day last year…

 

[J_sarahd]

I’m there for the whole 5 days and really looking forward to it. Me and my friends went for the whole thing last year and it was the best 5 days - despite the mud. I am hoping it will be drier this year but I’ll also be more prepared!!

 

[kathantoinette]

Me too!

This was just from the second dressage day last year…

View attachment 136884

Oh yes! This brings back the memories

 

[Bernster]

Ahh, I was thinking the field might not be so good this year due to the crappy weather impacting training etc.. I didn't think about it being an Olympic year which might also affect the entries We often go for the weekend but this year I think we’ll just do xc day. I do love it though, it’s an annual trip out for us and always around my birthday so it’s my birthday treat.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I've got tickets for dressage but not sure I'll go if it's very wet and it doesn't get cancelled.

I'm still traumatised from the mud last year!! This year I'm opting for Badminton TV from my sofa with some lovely snacks to eat whilst watching!

If it stays wet, I'll ne following your lead of snacking on the sofa whilst watching it!

 

[anguscat]

Rain is forecast every day until 16th (as far as BBC app goes). I’m wondering about the weeks preceding the event and the organisers being able to get on the ground with heavy equipment to set up.

 

[teapot]

Rain is forecast every day until 16th (as far as BBC app goes). I’m wondering about the weeks preceding the event and the organisers being able to get on the ground with heavy equipment to set up.

Think one of the beauties of a 5* is they can drip feed it over months but the latest blog is promising https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/directors-blog-march-2024/

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Hell has to freeze over for a 5* to cancel

Ah, but as Badminton has moved forward a weekend (making the RWHS move a weekend earlier than it ever has), the weather is going either be very hot or blooming sodden, Windsor never really has much in between

 

[anguscat]

Think one of the beauties of a 5* is they can drip feed it over months but the latest blog is promising https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/directors-blog-march-2024/

Thanks for that. Does sound encouraging and very recently written. Some good drying breezes would be helpful.

 

[Nicnac]

I go every year for the duration. Yes it was a bit damp last year but with the right clothing it was fine. Always have friends running in the GR competition as well as the main event. There are lots of first timers this year which will make for interesting viewing. Would love a lesser known rider to win it - somebody who has been knocking on the door for a while but who doesn't always shine at dressage with an out and out jumper!

 

[Bobthecob15]

I'm still traumatised from the mud last year!! This year I'm opting for Badminton TV from my sofa with some lovely snacks to eat whilst watching!

I feel the same!! Was horrible!! Have reluctantly bought tickets for XC but I think I’d have been better off watching it on TV the way it’s looking at the moment!!

 

[Honey08]

I didn’t go last year for the first time in years. I’d like to be able to go this year with the run up to the Olympics, but can’t afford it. I’ll probably do Badminton tv.

Why is it always so wet and so many events cancelled in Olympic years??!

 

[Smitty]

Not sure there has been one yet?

Entries are here: https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/list-of-entries-for-badminton-2024/ and for the first time, riders are allowed to run three horses.

Sadly being an Olympic year we won't see Walter try and defend his title though

Were they not always permitted up to three horses up to mid 80s/early 90s? In fact, did some not run 4?

 

[teapot]

Were they not always permitted up to three horses up to mid 80s/early 90s? In fact, did some not run 4?

Perhaps in the 70s, maybe early 80s, but certainly not recently/since the loss of roads and tracks etc. Burghley's always had different rules however. From Badminton's own website:

Riding three horses in the same competition at Badminton has been achieved twice. Bill Roycroft (Australia) rode Eldorado, Stoney Crossing and Avatar in 1965. Roycroft was second on Eldorado and sixth on Stoney Crossing which, the previous month was third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Arkle and Mill House. Five years later in 1970, Lorna Sutherland, now Lorna Clarke, also rode three horses on the same day – Popadom, Gypsy Flame and The Dark Horse. Riders are now restricted to riding no more than two horses in the same competition.


Should have added first time in a long while to my original post.

 

[KEK]

Bit surprised Austin isn’t running Colorado Blue.. I’m sure he’s saving him for Paris /running the 4 star route but would have thought he would have more chance of winning badminton.
Jealous of you guys that get to go in person, 1 day..!

 

[MarvelVillis]

It's my first time going this year. Trying to not get too excited incase it gets cancelled...

 

[Bobthecob15]

Bit surprised Austin isn’t running Colorado Blue.. I’m sure he’s saving him for Paris /running the 4 star route but would have thought he would have more chance of winning badminton.
Jealous of you guys that get to go in person, 1 day..!

None of the Olympic contenders are going, saving them for Paris. And probably rightly worried about damaging legs in the likely mud bath!

 

[Bearsmum]

I've only been once - in 1988 when my friend was working for Miranda Morley so lived in a cottage on the estate and we got access to areas usually out of bounds, this year I will get my usual supply of sofa nibbles and maybe a glass of something bubbly for xc day - sorry Fred, your walk will be later that day!