Next week (2-6 May 2018) all eyes in the eventing world will be transfixed as the world’s top eventers converge in south Gloucestershire for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.
But as they battle it out for the top prize — and a place in the history books — how much money is at stake for each of the riders?
In 2017 the top prize hit six-figures for the first time, with £100,000 up for grabs for the winner. Andrew Nicholson (pictured above) took home the record prize after clinching the title on Deborah Sellar’s Nereo. It was an increase of £20,000 from the previous year.
“In this professional era of the sport the winner of the most prestigious event of them all will be properly rewarded,” said a Badminton spokesman at the time. “Back in 1976, the top prize was £1,000.”
Badminton Horse Trials prize money for 2018 (based on 80 starters)
1st prize: £100,000
2nd prize: £54,000
3rd prize: £42,000
4th prize: £31,000
5th prize: £21,000
6th prize: £17,500
7th prize: £15,500
8th prize: £13,000
9th prize: £10,500
10th prize: £9,500
11th prize: £8,500
12th prize: £7,500
13th prize: £6,500
14th prize: £5,500
15th prize (57+ starters): £4,500
16th prize (61+ starters): £3,750
17th prize (65+ starters): £3,250
18th prize (69+ starters): £2,750
19th prize (73+ starters): £2,500
20th prize (77+ starters): £2,000
(Further prizes of £1,250 in the ratio of one prize for every four starters 81 and over)
Don’t miss our special Badminton Horse Trials preview in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (26 April 2018), complete with our essential form guide for every horse and rider and our exclusive course walk with the two-time winner Mary King
H&H’s full report from Badminton, packed with expert analysis, will be on sale on Thursday 10 May 2018
