Journal
Badminton 2018
by Pamela Glover-Cox, SportsQuest International, LLC
Day ThreeAfter another delicious breakfast at the hotel, we set out for Badminton – leaving early in anticipation of the large crowds promised for cross-country day.
Upon approaching the exit from the M4 motorway, there was a long backup of cars headed to Badminton. The backup to exit the motorway extended for more than a mile, with an additional five miles plus to be navigated after exiting the M4. We chose to bypass the crowd and take an alternate route – which took us through several quaint, picturesque villages. It was a lovely morning drive.
A few miles from our destination, we took a wrong turn and were directed up a narrow country road. On both sides of the road were fields with horses grazing. I got out of the car and took a few pictures of the horses saying ‘Good Morning’. I could hear the birds singing as I walked up the road. The rays from the sun were shining brightly. I thought to myself what a great way to start my morning - instead of hitting the alarm clock every few minutes and hating the thought of getting out of bed only to fight the Bay Area's notorious traffic.
As we approached the village of Badminton, we passed a group of entrepreneurial boys selling cookies and Coca-Cola. We were in stop-and-go traffic. As my mind wandered, I thought about asking my husband to stop so that I could quench my thirst. Sadly, at that moment the traffic began to move.
Although we had taken a wrong turn, we nonetheless reached our destination relaxed, on time and ready to work.
There was a buzzing energy in the media center. Everyone was getting ready for the Cross Country phase of the competition. We left a deposit and received our photographer’s vests. We exited the media center and were able to see the first few horses start the course from the main arena. After a quick visit to the warm up area, we proceeded to walk the course. At Badminton, the direction of the cross country course is traditionally changed annually. The course for this year’s competition went counterclockwise. We elected to walk clockwise in order to see more of the competition.
The designated charity for this year’s event was the British Horse Society (BHS). I spoke briefly with a member of the group’s board and collected additional information. The BHS sanctions hundreds of local events and activities, offers safety training courses, lobbies the government for safer riding conditions, offers professional development courses that provide qualifications from entry-level to advanced and protects hundreds of kilometers of off-road equestrian trails each year.
Although we were at Badminton to observe the horse trials, we could easily have been at a dog show. As I walked along the course, I saw all types of dogs - large, small, pure bred, mixed breed and ‘no breed observed’. It was a dog lover’s heaven.
I did not have to worry about missing my gym appointment. On cross country day, I walked 5.3 miles, or 14,013 steps. It was a perfect day to be outdoors - excellent weather, sunny, warm, clear and I could hear the birds singing.
During the course of the day, it occurred to me that the ethnic diversity we observed in Bristol (and had seen in London on a previous trip) was not reflected in the crowds at Badminton.
Since 1949, the event has been staged on the grounds of Badminton House – the ancestral home of The Duke of Beaufort. It was the 10th Duke of Beaufort (Henry Hugh Arthur FitzRoy Somerset) whose idea it was to hold an event at his Gloucestershire estate ( 52,000 acres) – to assist British riders in their preparation for the Olympic Games and other major competitions. Badminton House is now the family home of the 12th Duke of Beaufort, Harry Somerset. His Grace’s father, David Somerset (1928 - 2017) - the 11th Duke of Beaufort, was President of the Badminton Horse Trials and himself a very successful rider. He placed second at Badminton in 1959.
I interviewed a group of five ladies enjoying the event while relaxing on the grass. Some of the ladies have come to this event for the first time while others are returning for the 30th year. This is a great place to bring family and friends or to met new friends and start new traditions. One of the ladies interviewed suggested that significant improvements in transportation could be gained through the coordinated use of buses to and from Badminton.
As mentioned earlier, 2018 was the first year that a drone was incorporated into television coverage of the event. Due to restrictions on flying above the crowd, the technology was used exclusively at the lake complex – where it afforded previously unseen perspectives of the competition.
At the conclusion of the Cross Country Phase, the leaderboard was greatly changed. In first place was Jonelle Price (NZ) with her brilliant mare Classic Moet. She was followed by Oliver Townend (GBR) with Ballaghmor Class and Rosalind Canter (GBR) on Allstar B. Mr. Townend’s second mount, Cooley SRS lay in fifth.
After a long and wonderful day, my husband treated me to a fancy dinner at an Italian Restaurant in Bath (39 miles from Badminton and 11 miles south-east of Bristol).
Soto Soto is located in a subterranean cave. It is a wonderful gem of a location. From the street level, one travels down three flights of stairs and embarks at a most inviting entrance. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a warm and professional staff. It was clear that we had arrived in a very special land of elegance. The atmosphere was impressive and unique – yet casual. The waitstaff was attentive and the food mouthwatering. I had the sword fish with vegetables and my husband had the duck legs with carmelized apples.
Following a most delightful meal, we shared a dark chocolate Panna Cotta with locally sourced wild berries.
We will return to this most fascinating restaurant again!
Before returning to our car for the drive back to Bristol, we walked to the nearby Bath Abbey – a historic late Medieval church that sits on the site where the first King of all England (King Edgar) was crowned in 973.
It was the perfect way to end our day.
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Introduction/Day One
Day Two
Day Four