ACCURACY THE KEY TO 2010 BADMINTON COURSE

Hugh Thomas’s cross country challenge for the 2010 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is both imposing in size and demanding of very accurate riding from the eighty plus competitors likely to start.
After the inviting MITSUBISHI STARTER, (1) the flower bed in the main arena, it’s left out of the gate this year to HIGHAM’S BRUSH, (2), named in honour of Badminton’s retiring stud groom, Brian Higham and onto the charity fence, the WORLD HORSE WELFARE QUARRY (3, 4, 5, 6). This is the first real test on the course where the direct route involves turns in and out of the pit, over massive logs both at the bottom and top of steep inclines.

There is a good gallop to the IRISH SPORT HORSE STUDBOOK HUNTSMANS CLOSE

(7, 8, 9, 10). Riders leap a big spread in open country followed very quickly by an upright gate. Then it is left over the now familiar brush corner and a sweep round to a relatively narrow log on an angle. Next is a photographer’s favourite, the WADWORTH BARRELS (11) with Badminton House as a backdrop and onward to the crowd pulling LAKE. (12) All have to jump the Mitsubishi Pickups and the brave will turn sharp left and splash into the water over the narrow willow ‘wave’, aim for a narrow ‘skinny’ brush actually in the water and out over a bullfinch, right and away.

The MARLEY ETERNIT BARN TABLE (13) is a relative let up, but will need respect and then comes another serious test, the COUNTRYSIDE COMPLEX (14) a ‘barrel top’ roundel, into the Sunken Road, up, out and over a second and third roundel on the turn.

Tackling the double of open corners at the HS1 FARMYARD (15) will require spot on steering unless competitors wish to waste a lot of time taking the scenic route, which involves the familiar Mike Weaver’s Haycart. 

Now down to the series of fences that cross the Vicarage Ditch. The direct route at the COLT POND (16) consists of two hedges on a tight angle, similar to the old Luckington Lane crossing, but this time instead of a lane there is a water splash.

Recent Badminton competitors have got the hang of the very narrow HSBC HEXAGON HEDGE, (17) but first timers may blanche a bit before heading to the OUTLANDER BANK (18), where familiarity should not breed contempt. A right handed loop back over the ditch takes in a good old fashioned Oxer at THE ASX CROSSOVER (19).

The SHOGUN HOLLOW (20) is an upright post and rail with drop into the hollow, up, out and over a boxed corner followed by a chance to put the foot down if there is enough gas in the tank and take a flyer at the SHOOTING BUTT (21). After that spin riders will need to come back to show jumping mode if they want to make a success of the HSBC FEI CLASSICS CORRAL (22) an upright, an oxer and another upright on a tight right turn. The JOHN WHITAKER INTERNATIONAL TRUNKS (23) make use of a vast fallen tree, but there are still some challenges ahead. The ALTERIAN STAIRCASE (24) is used going up, this way round the course, and there is a narrow obstacle waiting at the top.

There isn’t much difference between the choice of routes at the LANCER VILLAGE (25, 26), a small housing estate on varying terrain, and there’s a final chance to kick on over the KEEPER’S BRUSH (27) before the OWL HOLE (28), now attractively situated in a copse.

THE ROLEX CROSSING (29, 30), has caught out one or two of the very best in the past, but once cleared it’s back into the arena and the welcome sight of the MITSUBISHI GARDEN (31).

Note:

Press Accreditation Closes 16th April 2010 – see website for details.

Further Information:

Julian Seaman, Badminton Press Officer, 41 Gastein Road, London, W6 8LT

T: + 44 (0) 207 385 0591; F: + 44 (0) 207 386 9820; E: j.seaman2@sky.com 
Also:

Mitsubishi Motors Press Office

T: + 44 (0) 1285 647200; E: pressoffice@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk