HATS OFF TO THE WINNER!

After the considerable task of assessing almost 400 hopeful inclusions for this year’s ‘Spirit of Badminton’ photo wall, Richard Baker’s image of inquisitive children chatting to a course steward at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was judged the winning shot.

In the judges opinion Richard’s picture not only ‘summed up the spirit of Badminton so well’ but had much technical merit. “It is a rather quirky image, but with interesting composition and although it was a snatched moment it was well observed,” said judge, Kit Houghton the official photographer to the trials.

Richard and his family, all keen riders, first went to Badminton six years ago. “It has since become our annual pilgrimage and for me combines my two favourite hobbies,” said Richard an amateur photographer, who lives and works in Swindon. “The reason I entered this picture was that to me it sums up Badminton. Even when the course comes to a standstill there is always something going on,” said Richard who won £400 worth of equipment from the camera company Nikon. This year the family will also enjoy their annual trip courtesy of sponsor Mitsubishi Motors. 

Oxfordshire based Graham Jones who took second place will also be a guest of Mitsubishi Motors for the day. Graham’s picture was a more archetypal photograph of a horse jumping a fence. “This is a classic equestrian image but from the angle it was taken and by including the house it again captured the essence of Badminton. We get so many jumping pictures that could have been taken at any event that this was refreshing,” said Kit Houghton.

The picture was taken during Graham’s first visit to Badminton a trip inspired by his young daughter who took up riding after her mother died five years ago. “For me it was a lovely day out with the added bonus and opportunity of taking plenty of pictures. We have already booked to go again – only this year I will be better prepared and make sure I have the camera battery fully charged,” said Graham a project manager with a publishing company. 

Kit Houghton was impressed by the standard of this year’s entries. He said; “Overall the quality of the entries was much improved on 2007 and many of the photographers had gone out of their way to capture the feeling of Badminton.”

In total 100 images were selected to be included in the ‘spirit of Badminton’ photo wall which will be added to last year’s inaugural collection. The whole wall, and the list of all those who have been lucky to have their picture chosen, will be on display by ‘The Pig and Whistle’ which is by the giant viewing screen.