Oliver Townend riding Black Tie GBR during the Dressage phase of The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials at Badminton in Gloucestershire, UK on 6th May 2016
Star event riders will share their pearls of wisdom at a Badminton preview event in aid of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).
With the four-star fast approaching (3-7 May), the RDA will be hosting an exclusive event featuring top names in eventing to get fans in the mood.
The preview will take place tomorrow (26 April) from 7pm at The Kings Head in Cirencester.
The evening will feature talks from Badminton stars, including event director and former competitor Hugh Thomas, as well as riders Andrew Nicholson, Oliver Townend and Jonty Evans — all of whom are set to compete at this year’s event.
Oliver has a trio of horses on the list, MHS King Joules, Samuel Thomas II and ODT Ghareeb. Andrew is entered with Qwanza and Nereo and Jonty with his Rio ride, Cooley Rorkes Drift.
Badminton final scores
Trainer Ros Morgan and Badminton’s new course-designer, Eric Winter, will also be present at the event.
“Badminton is the highlight of the eventing season,” said Kate Beim of the Watershed group of the RDA.
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“Attracting crowds of over 150,000, it is one of the largest paid entry sports event in the UK.
“This is our second year and we have some really wonderful names appearing on the panel — we’d love to top our total from last year!
“Come and hear the thoughts and opinions of some of the leading equestrian figures.”
Tickets cost £15 per person, to include drinks and canapés, and all money will go to the RDA.
To book tickets, please call 01285 700 900.
The RDA provides therapy and enjoyment to people with disabilities all over the UK.
The network of 500 volunteer groups organise activities such as riding, carriage driving, vaulting and showjumping for up to 28,000 people each year.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.
