Badminton Horse Trials

It was the 10th Duke of Beaufort - Master - whose idea it was to hold an event in his Gloucestershire park in order that British riders could train for future international events. The first event was held in 1949.

When Golden Willow won the first Badminton in 1949, there were 22 starters from two countries, Britain and Ireland. Since then Great Britain has won three team golds and two individual gold medals in the Olympics; four team golds and four individual gold medals in the World Championships, and no fewer than 19 team golds and 17 individual gold medals in the European Championships.

For the first 10 years, the dressage and show-jumping arenas were sited on the old cricket ground in front of Badminton House. Torrential rain in 1959 turned the park into a sea of mud and the arenas and tradestands were moved to the present site.

The very first European Championships were staged at Badminton in 1953. The winner was Major Laurence Rook on Starlight XV. The Trials were first televised in 1956. in 2007 there were some 16 cameras covering the event for the Outside Broadcasts Unit of the BBC. In 1955, the Trials were moved to Windsor for one year at the invitation of The Queen, to hold the 2nd European Championships.

Contact Helicentre Aviation today and let us take care of your VIP helicopter flight into this superb event.