William Fox-Pitt has shared his exclusive insight on the Mars Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course for Horse & Hound’s preview of this year’s event (7 to 10 May).
The 2026 course is designed by Eric Winter and features 32 numbered fences.
William, who won 14 five-stars during his eventing career including Badminton 2004 on Tamarillo and 2015 on Chilli Morning, has rated and reviewed every fence in this week’s magazine, which is on sale now (Thursday, 30 April).
“There’s plenty to think about on this year’s Badminton course. It’s a nice course, certainly an inviting course, but it’s not totally forgiving. It has an edge to it and I think competitors will have to dig deep,” said William.
Order 30 April issue of Horse & Hound magazine to read the full Badminton preview or check out our full Badminton form guide online
Badminton final scores
William Fox-Pitt walks key Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course fences for 2026
MARS Lake (fence 9ab & 10ab)
The direct route is over the brush-topped fish (9a) followed by a skinny brush fence in the water (9b). Competitors then head out of the lake before turning back on themselves to jump another skinny brush on dry land (10a) and finally another skinny brush in the water (10b). There are alternatives at 9b and 10a, but all competitors will need to jump into the Lake over the fish.
“It’s a big jump in and competitors will need a bit of bravery there, and then be organised and turn to the skinny in the water – it could be hard to get straight,” said William.
“As I’m coming through the turn to 10a, I’m looking at my line and down to 10b in the water, controlling the horse through the turn and being positive and straight. I’d be staying straight on landing after 10a, and then turning to get straight to the skinny in the water – I wouldn’t want to be tempted on the inside line to 10b as you could end up with a jolly stupid run-out. This is a very time consuming part of the course.”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Holland Cooper Vicarage Vee (25ab)
The Holland Cooper Vicarage Vee is in the middle of an intense section of the 2026 Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course. Those horses and riders taking the direct routes will jump the big ditch-corner in one at the Luckington Lane Corners (23 & 24), before a short gallop to the iconic Vicarage Vee (25ab). The straight route at this fence is to jump the ditch and rail in one effort. The longer routes at both these fences involve jumping the ditch and an alternative fence as two separate efforts.
“Land over the Luckington Lane Corners, get organised, and don’t panic!” said William, adding that when walking the course, riders will choose which of the two oak trees in the distance to aim for.
“Come through the turn thinking ‘power and organise’, not ‘gallop and go with my eyes shut’. I’d get on my line, aiming for my nice big tree and looking up.
“It’s always a fence we’re relieved to get over; it’s been here for 50 years and it’s going nowhere.”
Mayston Equestrian Hollow (26abc)
The direct route is down a big drop, followed by two arrowhead brushes on a straight line. There are alternative fences 26b and 26c.
“It’s a jolly big drop and horses might be a bit surprised by that at the last minute,” said William. “Horses all jump off that differently, some big, some small, some tired, some exuberant – get what you’ve got and put it all together. It’s a pretty straight line through the bottom and up the bank to the first arrowhead brush. You’ll then land and it’s straight for a nice three strides to another skinny.”
How to watch and listen to Badminton Horse Trials
To watch every phase of Badminton Horse Trials live or via catch up, including the trot-ups, from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world, you need a 2026 Badminton TV Pass. Badminton TV is once again powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £22.99. Go to badminton-horse.tv to sign up. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. Also check out the Badminton app, which provides free live results and much more this year. Sign up for Badminton Plus membership for £4.99 to access the live Radio Badminton broadcast and receive exclusive offers from on-site exhibitors. Search for Badminton Horse Trials in your app store.
Enjoy the best of Badminton with Horse & Hound
To ensure you keep up to date with all the breaking news, behind the scenes insight, and the best of the action throughout Badminton Horse Trials with no limits on how much you can read, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website from as little as £1 a week. Sign up now. And don’t miss our bumper 28-page magazine report on Badminton, including in-depth analysis and exclusive comments from top names, in the issue of Horse & Hound dated 14 May.
What’s your favourite Badminton memory? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your views published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
