The annual ‘bible’ of the equestrian world L’Année Hippique has announced that the 2014 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials has won Best Event of the Year for Eventing
The vote is conducted via the magazine Horse International and this year Badminton has managed to wrest the highly prized award from Burghley Horse Trials who have won the accolade seven times (1992, 1998, 2002, 2008, 2011 and 2013).
The award began in 1987 when L’Année Hippique asked riders in the Olympic disciplines to select their favourite shows based on considerations such as stabling, ground condition, course preparation, hospitality and prize money. We know that one rider’s groom was very impressed with the groom’s accommodation and food as Rachel Watts wrote in our special ‘Snippets from the Stables’ during our coverage this year
“The grooms’ canteen again is proving that before coming to Badminton you might need to pack some comfy clothes as the food is just so good and meal tickets are provided for grooms making it very popular! Full cooked breakfast, a variety to choose from for lunch and two course dinner! It's fair to say that this is one event where the grooms are definitely looked after!!!”
Badminton, which was first held on the 10th Duke of Beaufort’s estate in Gloucestershire in 1949, is of course the ‘holy grail’ of eventing for many riders from all around the world. This year saw some changes with Event Director Hugh Thomas handing over the course designer reins to Giuseppe della Chiesa who produced a challenging course which was made more difficult by the weather conditions. Australia’s Sam Griffiths rose to the occasion with a win on his mare Paulank Brockagh
Read our full coverage from Badminton 2014 and view our photo galleries here
