Increase in Badminton prize-money
The winner of Badminton Horse Trials will benefit from a boost in prize money at this year’s event (7-11 May).
As well as lifting the The Mitsubishi Motors trophy the winner will also receive £80,000 — up from £65,000 in 2013.
The increase will also be reflected in the lower placings with money on offer down to 20th place.
The announcement comes after a groundswell of dissatisfaction with eventing prize-money last season. Riders created their own Twitter account to air their grievances.
British Eventing announced in October that it would be increasing prize money by 3% but frustrated riders by also raising entry fees by the same amount.
Badminton final scores
“It is fantastic news. The riders are very appreciative and it will be great for whoever wins Badminton,” 2010 winner Paul Tapner told H&H.
“It demonstrates that BE, FEI and sponsors are starting to be on the same wavelength as riders about prize-money which can only be a good thing for eventing.”
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This year will also see Badminton return to its more traditional format with the cross-country phase being held on the Saturday rather than the Sunday.
Italian Giuseppe della Chiesa will design the course for the first time after Hugh Thomas stepped down from the role last year. Hugh, who had designed the track since 1989 is still the event director.
The public Box Office opens next Monday (13 January) for advanced bookings.
For more information visit: www.badminton-horse.co.uk
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.