teapot
Well-Known Member
taken from HHO:
In the wake of the storm of criticism that greeted this year's Badminton Horse Trials in May, organiser Hugh Thomas has revealed a swathe of major changes.
More than 25% of the field withdrew, complaining of rough and hard going on the cross-country course and in the warm-up arena. Afterwards, riders criticised Badminton for lagging behind other major three-day events (news, 26 July).
The key changes (listed below) include major work to the ground on the course, warm-up and main arena and a number of incentives for riders and their teams, including the abolition of entry fees and a major increase in prize-money.
"Obviously, Hugh has taken heed of what we all had to say, and made a huge effort," acknowledged Clayton Fredericks, chairman of the Event Riders' Association (ERA). "If we could have run the competition on the ground we saw, it would have been perfect the warm-up area looks like a golf fairway but the proof will be in how the event runs next year."
He added: "No entry fee is a milestone, completion grants, higher prize-money and improvements to the lorry park it's very commendable, but there is still a way to go to have riders and owners completely happy."
The 2008 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials will take place from 1-4 May.
Badminton's new initiatives
Turf consultants appointed, ground maintenance equipment purchased
Course pegged out and mown, to be aerated, sanded, fertilised etc during the year. Park users including Duke of Beaufort's hunt asked to keep off the track
Ground on warm-up area reseeded and prepared. Planning application sought for an all-weather warm-up area
Waiting list kept for event, with aim of starting 85 horses
Prize-money increased to £60,000 for first prize (25% more than any other event in the world) and £1,000 for 20th, the lowest prize. Overall fund, £251,000
Riders' entry fee scrapped
Award of £200 to grooms of horses starting cross-country (previously £175 for grooms of finishing horses)
Extra money given to Event Riders' Association dinner
One more pair of passes available per horse
Improvements to access of and ground in lorry park, installation of additional, modern toilets and showers
In the wake of the storm of criticism that greeted this year's Badminton Horse Trials in May, organiser Hugh Thomas has revealed a swathe of major changes.
More than 25% of the field withdrew, complaining of rough and hard going on the cross-country course and in the warm-up arena. Afterwards, riders criticised Badminton for lagging behind other major three-day events (news, 26 July).
The key changes (listed below) include major work to the ground on the course, warm-up and main arena and a number of incentives for riders and their teams, including the abolition of entry fees and a major increase in prize-money.
"Obviously, Hugh has taken heed of what we all had to say, and made a huge effort," acknowledged Clayton Fredericks, chairman of the Event Riders' Association (ERA). "If we could have run the competition on the ground we saw, it would have been perfect the warm-up area looks like a golf fairway but the proof will be in how the event runs next year."
He added: "No entry fee is a milestone, completion grants, higher prize-money and improvements to the lorry park it's very commendable, but there is still a way to go to have riders and owners completely happy."
The 2008 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials will take place from 1-4 May.
Badminton's new initiatives
Turf consultants appointed, ground maintenance equipment purchased
Course pegged out and mown, to be aerated, sanded, fertilised etc during the year. Park users including Duke of Beaufort's hunt asked to keep off the track
Ground on warm-up area reseeded and prepared. Planning application sought for an all-weather warm-up area
Waiting list kept for event, with aim of starting 85 horses
Prize-money increased to £60,000 for first prize (25% more than any other event in the world) and £1,000 for 20th, the lowest prize. Overall fund, £251,000
Riders' entry fee scrapped
Award of £200 to grooms of horses starting cross-country (previously £175 for grooms of finishing horses)
Extra money given to Event Riders' Association dinner
One more pair of passes available per horse
Improvements to access of and ground in lorry park, installation of additional, modern toilets and showers
