Badminton 2026 seems a distant memory after such a wonderful summer in many ways.  We thought we were lucky with our weather but as it has turned out there have been very few events this time blighted with undesirable weather – of course the long spell of dry and hot weather has caused other concerns, i.e. problems with the ground, amount of forage that has had to be fed throughout.

Following Ros and Lordship Graffalo’s triumph at Badminton was the beginning of many a good eventing story, and I witnessed the GBR team winning Gold and Ros individual Siiver at the World Championships.  Well done also to Laura Collett, with London 52, for her Bronze individual medal.

I have been privileged to visit other events through the  summer and there is always something to be learnt or a good idea taken up!  It is also a wonderful way of catching up with people across the equestrian and trading world.  I am ashamed to say, I had not visited Bramham previously and now know why everyone praises the event, although this is one where the weather was not overkind – it was a good competition and great fun to see the 4* long in which horses competing hopefully were using as their pathway to Badminton and other 5*s.

Dublin show was another – no where will you get more like-minded people or horses of every shape and size together in one place and it has its own unique special atmosphere.  The Nations Cup was an exciting competition.

Burghley was, as always, a great event and well done to Gemma Stevens with Chilli Knight on her win – very much deserved.

Blenheim was another event where there were plenty of combinations hopefully with Badminton in their sights next Spring!

I also visited several other national events and what a great job they did with their ground, which was anything but easy at some sites.

Badminton has looked like the Sahara desert for most of the summer but thankfully is green again now and has had the autumn work done on the cross-country course, arena, etc.  The Lake has also had a clear out and, once the rain comes, will be refilled and cleaner than it has been for many a year.

There is one new recruit in the Office – in the form of Bumble the Lancashire Heeler, who is the great granddaughter of Missy, who was always by my side.  Bumble thinks life is just made for fun but slowly understanding the routine, she has had the maiden voyage on the bike! My thanks on her behalf for Minnow, Tilly, Thelma and Evie’s doggy patience with her.

As always, once the eventing season starts to draw to a close, is when we start in earnest.  A great number of the contractors have been contacted, the Box Office is underway with their planning – in order to be open for the beginning of January.  Those that exhibited at Badminton 2026 will be contacted next month. The cross-country course is being given a new look here and there.

Altogether a lot to do and look forward to…..