Fascinating Badminton facts

Badminton has been the Holy Grail for eventers since was first run more than 50 years ago and this year’s event looks set to live up to all expectations.

Hugh Thomas’s beautifully presented 32-fence course is packed with tough questions and an international field of the highest level, including former winners Pippa Funnell, Mary King and Bruce Davidson, will be facing up to the challenge.

Overall, men have won Badminton six more times than women, despite a record-breaking six wins by Lucinda Green (n‚e Prior-Palmer).
The first woman to win Badminton was Margaret Hough in 1954
Only three horses have won Badminton twice: Kilbarry, High And Mighty and Great Ovation
At just 15hh the smallest winners areOur Solo (Bill Roycroft, 1960) and Our Nobby (Jane Bullen, 1968).
The youngest horse to win Badminton was John Shedden’s five-year-old Golden Willow, at the first ever Badminton in 1949. The oldest is Horton Point, 16, in 1994.
Only three mares have won: Emily Little (Mark Darley, 1952); Bambi (Margaret Hough); and Peggoty (Martin Whiteley, Little Badminton 1960).
The oldest winning rider at Badminton is Chris Bartle, 46, in 1998.
At 53, Bruce Davidson will be the oldest rider in 2003. The youngest rider entered this year is 20-year-old Victoria Abbott.
The trials were first televised in 1954. In 2002 there were 17 cameras covering the event for the Outside Broadcasts Unit of the BBC.
Bad weather has forced the cancellation of Badminton on three occasions – in 1966, 1975 and 1987. FMD caused the cancellation of the 2001 Event.

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