SIXTY YEARS
ON
Sixty years ago the Duke of Beaufort hosted
the first Badminton Horse Trials, advertised as; ‘The Most
Important Horse Event in Great Britain’.
Forty Seven riders paid £2.00 to enter the
event and 22 came forward to compete – compared to the 83 that are
competing at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials,
which is now the oldest three-day-event in the world. It has also
become the richest offering a first prize of £60,000. In 1947 the
winning rider took home £100.00 worth a comparative and meagre
£3,000 at today’s value.
British riders dominated the field – just two
were Irish and British rider John Sheddon and Golden Willow made
history as the first winners. They are also remembered for leaping
the Irish Bank in one - a fence which has remained part of the
course each year since. The dressage took place in front of the
house and the spectators – most of whom had never seen dressage
before – were seated on straw bales.
Thirteen combinations completed and seven were
eliminated on the cross-country course that attracted much
complaint from the riders. Vivian Machin-Goodall was the first and
only lady to complete from the three female entrants. This year 50%
of the competitors are female. And unlike today’s professional
full-time riders, the riders of 1949 were all amateur and many were
serving army officers.
Two years later Badminton went international
being declared ‘open to the world’ and was won by Swiss rider Capt
Hans Schwarzenbach and in 1953 Badminton hosted the first European
Championships. This year riders represent 11 countries from around
the world and while the venue no longer hosts international
championships the Mitsubishi Motors trophy has become the most
treasured prize and Badminton is the one riders dream of winning.