By Michael Tucker
BBC Show jumping commentator |
Situated in the heart of the west-country, Badminton horse trials is without doubt the premiere event of its kind in the year.
Over the three days it takes place, the course turns into a giant shopping gala, with its own main street and big screens dominating your surroundings.
BBC coverage: BBC Two, Sunday Grandstand, 1340BST |
People come from all over the world, with more than 150,000 packing the course on the Saturday - and that's just spectators - there are nearly as many dogs too.
The atmosphere may not compare to the Twickenham's and Old Trafford's of the world, but it is unique, and something that should come across in our coverage.
When the cross-country part of the tournament takes place, you can hear the gasps and cries from fans all around the course.
The spectators may not be quite as loud as their counterparts at the Kentucky horse trials, but they have their own way of making themselves heard!
Winning Badminton is something every eventer dreams about - a comparison might be Cheltenham in the National Hunt - it's the unofficial world title.
Tucker's three to watch Pippa Funnell:
Last year's champion on Supreme Rock, won recently in Kentucky and both horse and rider are in great form. William Fox-Pitt:
Finished second last year, has the class and experience to mount a challenge. Bruce David:
Brave 53-year-old Australian who broke eleven bones last August. |
This year the course has been changed slightly, with the introduction of a number of new fences.
Vicarage Vee has been rebuilt, and there is a new and rather odd obstacle at the end of the course named the Carisma Puzzle - no doubt we will take a closer look at that during our coverage.
I think most riders and their horses will find the course more tactically challenging this year - big fences on their own are not that tricky.
The key to any successful combination - and a good example of this was Pippa Funnell with Supreme Rock last year - is temperament.
It's a windy course, and it takes a lot out of both horse and rider, so they have to be mentally ready for all the obstacles.
Most of all, it is a test of the team's all round ability from start to finish - and just when you think you've made it the water jump looms, which always proves tricky for some.
My money is on Pippa to repeat her success of last year.
Ony two horses have done that before, Kilburry and High and Mighty, and that was over 30 years ago - what an achievement that would be.
MMIX
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