8 fun things to do at Badminton Horse Trials

There is a pretty good horse trials on in Gloucestershire, but if you can tear yourself away from the action, the ‘side-shows’ have plenty to offer for equestrian fans and their families alike.

Horse inspections: don’t miss the chance to see the Badminton runners up close at the trot-ups — and their riders donning some swanky outfits.

• Thursday 2 May, 4.30pm: first horse inspection.
• Monday 6 May, 8.30am: final horse inspection.

Outside Chance: keep tabs on the action while having a bite and a drink. This bar is directly opposite Badminton’s new big screen with a raised balcony offering views of the lake, water jumps, Wadsworth Barrels and Badminton House. The bar is open from 8.30am until 11pm, with live music and curry nights on Saturday and Sunday.

Retirement ceremony: Former Badminton winners Headley Britannia and Inonothing will be joined by Burghley winner Lenamore in an official retirement ceremony taking place in the main arena on Monday 6 May.

Badminton final scores

Fashion show: do you want to see top models and high fashion? Bedgebury Park is launching a “catwalk extravaganza” — three fashion shows featuring London’s top models strutting their stuff in clothes from the Badminton exhibitors’ collections. They will showcase brands such as Dubarry, Holland Cooper and Timothy Foxx. Shows will take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at 11am on Monday. Visit stand 254, opposite the members’ enclosure.

Pippa Funnell’s autograph: visit feed company Allen & Page’s stand in the World of the Horse marquee, stand 206. Pippa will be signing autographs and dedicated times, so check out the stand to see when she will be there. Allen & Page’s award-winning nutritional team will also be on hand to answer your feeding issues.

British Eventing safety research display: the testing system used by the FEI for British Eventing’s frangible and deformable fences, will be on display throughout the event. Each session will include a live Q&A session with Martin Herbert, director of BE’s official testing engineers ADHQ, and BE national safety officer Jonathan Clissold. Displays take place during the three dressage breaks on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 May. Visit stand 97.

Visit Horse & Hound: Come to stand 8 for great savings off H&H and Eventing subscriptions, plus a free fleece cooler Masta rug. The second edition of Ask The Vet — featuring 100 pages of veterinary advice — will be on sale, alongside the latest issues of H&H and Eventing. And you have the chance to win a Tredstep Ireland makeover in our prize draw, while the popular tombola has a selection of other prizes up for grabs.

Meet a BBC Formula One presenter: Lee Mckenzie will be visiting the World Horse Welfare stand (stand 88) to show her support and appreciation for the charity’s work in the UK and worldwide. The charity will also be launching a new membership scheme providing horse and rider with competitively priced insurance. Visitors can sign the charity’s petition for mandatory CCTV inside slaughterhouses and take part in the raffle to win up to £7,500.

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