It seems a long time since I last wrote a blog, but all the while we have been keeping busy working towards Badminton 2022. How good it feels to be in a position again of working towards a “normal” event!
The team of Andrew, Alex, Vicky, Delyth, Rosie, Claire and myself are much looking forward to being back in touch with you all over the coming months and welcoming you back to a bumper Badminton 2022.
We feel very privileged that Mars has become our Presenting Sponsor of Badminton Horse Trials and look forward to working with them and promoting their brands, including SPILLERS™, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN® Brands and the MARS® Bar.
Voltaire Design, who have sponsored a cross-country fence for several years, have increased their commitment by becoming the title sponsor of the BE90 and BE100 Grassroots Championships. Over the years, this has become a much-loved competition and I know it will be a great partnership.
The Park and cross-country course are looking amazing, both benefitting from the summer’s weather – which, if nothing else, was excellent for the ground and grass! Roger Hughes and Andrew Houghton have also done a fantastic job by keeping on top of the mowing.
I started writing this blog while at the European Show Jumping Championships, where we were privileged to have our home-bred horse, Galtur, jumping on the British team with William Whitaker. The prelude to the show, at Ludger Beerbaum’s amazing centre, was a very amusing journey with Jim Eyre [BEF Chief Executive] and Richard Waygood [Performance Director]. It was a wonderful week, both interesting and fun to spend time within the show jumping discipline, and the hospitality and kindness at Reisenbeck was exceptional. We can all learn from each other.
It has, against the odds, been a brilliant summer of sport and congratulations to all at both the Olympics and European Championships, but in particular the eventers, whose results, including at the nations cups, have been outstanding and bode so well for the future.
It has also been good to be involved with Blenheim as Entries Secretary and thereby back in touch with many owners and competitors.
Andrew is in contact with our contractors, who are both upbeat and excited for 2022. Our invitations have gone out to tradestands and we are starting to liaise with our huge number of volunteers without whom Badminton would not happen. It’s all the start of the Badminton family coming together again – roll on 2022!