Badminton Horse Trials calls budding photographers

Amateur equestrian photographers will have the chance to display their work at the 2007 Mitsubishi Badminton Motors (3rd – 6th May). A 10 metre wall will showcase action shots of horses and riders plus photos of officials, grooms and picnics in the mud taken by spectators during the event’s 58-year history.

“We are really looking forward to seeing the variety of pictures that we receive,” said Badminton director Hugh Thomas. “I am sure the wall will create much interest as well as a unique record of memories of the event over the years.”

More than £400 worth of Nikon camera equipment, as well as VIP entry to the event, will be awarded to the photographer who submits the best picture. Hugh Thomas, Badminton official photographer Kit Houghton and Mitsubishi’s head of public relations Gabi Whitfield will observe all the entries and decide which picture merits the award.

The Spirit of Badminton Photo Wall will be built in time for the first day of this year’s Badminton Horse Trials and all pictures will be credited with the name of the photographer. Over one hundred thousand people will have the chance to see the photos during the event. (For entry details see below)

Badminton’s organisers hope the Badminton Wall will become a popular feature at the event. “The Spirit of Badminton Wall will not be a one-off, we plan to add to it year-on-year and make it a focal point in order for people to share in and enjoy other people’s favourite memories,” explained Gabi Whitfield, Head of Public Relations for Mitsubishi Motors. “If anyone feels that they don’t have a suitable photograph to enter now, then I would encourage them to get out the camera at this year’s event and become part of the fabric of Badminton in 2008.”

Badminton final scores

The Badminton Box Office opens on Monday 15 January and tickets can be booked on line at www.badminton-horse.co.uk. This year’s event promises to be as exciting as ever; in keeping with tradition the course will follow the opposite route round the park to last year.

Mitsubishi Motors has generously raised the prize pot to £250,000, with a record £55,000 going to the winner. As it is the European Championships this year rather than the Olympics or World Games, there is a little less pressure for competitors and although entries are not due until mid March, a competitive field of international eventing stars is expected.

Badminton always has a designated charity and in 2007 it will be The Spinal Injuries Association, who will have a named cross country obstacle in their honour and collection points around the ground.

How to enter your picture

Entries need to be sent by Wednesday 4 April on CD or in hard-copy print and posted by mail to:

Badminton ‘photo wall’

Press Office

Mitsubishi Motors UK

Watermoor

Cirencester

Glos GL7 1LF

Please ensure your name and address and the full details of the pictures where known (e.g. date, photographer, subject names etc) are attached to your entries. All photos will be returned providing an SAE is enclosed. Not all entries received are guaranteed to be used in the wall – this will depend on number and quality of entries.

Terms and conditions

The competition is open to amateur photographers only. Pictures must be the work of the person submitting the entry. Digital copies should be saved to disk as jpg files at a minimum of 300 dpi.

Please ensure each photograph or disk is clearly marked on the back with your name & address. Hard copy prints to be no smaller than 6X4. Please include a correctly sized SAE for return of photos and disks. The safe return of photos cannot be guaranteed.

The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Winners will be notified by post.

Winners will agree that their entry can be freely used by Mitsubishi Motors in the promotion of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and that the entry may be published in print and electronic format.

Entries that are selected for the “photo wall” but not eligible for a prize will form part of the completed “wall” and the entrant will be credited for their entry.

Employees of Mitsubishi Motors, the prize providers, or their families are not eligible to enter.

No cash alternatives and no substitute prizes will be offered, No liability or responsibility for any loss, injury or damage which is suffered or incurred as a result of, or arising from, any participation in the prize offered in competitions can be accepted by Mitsubishi Motors, their employees servants or agents and acceptance of and participation in such prize will be entirely at the winners’ risk.

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