The past few weeks have been busy and the pace has increased! All who work on the Estate do a great job to make sure everything is looking as pristine as possible come May.
The arrival of Spring is very welcome and Badminton Park is coming alive! Last week’s weather reminded me that there is no better place to be when it is warm and sunny. Eric Winter and the Willis Bros. team have most of the cross-country fences in situ, be it not quite in their final resting place, there are some interesting new diversions on the route.
Harry Verney, our Site Manager of many years, has arrived back and it is good to see him and his white hut with smoke billowing out from the wood burner. The Shopping area is all but marked out, which includes the new Badminton Food Walk, organised by Ed Wickenden, which includes both established and exciting new vendors. Also, many of the stall holders are returning with a sprinkling of those that will be exhibiting for the first time, making sure there is the maximum amount of choice for all shoppers!
Arena Seating are building the grandstands. Margaret Hopkins and team are about to start the stables annual spring clean so they are in pristine condition for the equine athletes that will occupy them in May.
The International entries have now been open for several weeks and include entries from the well-known riders representing several different nations. If my spies are right, we are likely to end up with an exciting field of well-established athletes (including past winners of Badminton) alongside the first timers who will be looking forward to fulfilling their dream of riding at Badminton. Alex Harbottle and team are working hard to keep on top of checking all the qualifications!
The Dubarry Burghley Young Event class entries will open on March 14th and we have the list of those that have qualified for the LeMieux Grassroots Championships and it will only be a couple of weeks before these entries will also open.
I do hope you will join us at our Preview Evening at Tortworth Court, which is to be held on Tuesday, 22nd April. For further details please click here.
The end of March will see our early bird ticket offer come to an end so now is the time to book your tickets.