Extra qualifications for entering Badminton Horse Trials 2011

Eventers entering the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials next year will have to meet more stringent qualification requirements than previously.

In addition to the standard FEI qualifications for four-stars, all horses and riders entering Badminton 2011 (22-25 April) must have finished in the top 25% of a CCI*** or the top 50% of a CCI**** at some stage in their career.

A statement from the event said: “The objective is to ensure that Badminton entry is confined to those who have proved themselves capable of being competitive at the highest levels of the sport; and is against the background of considerably more entries being received in recent years than can be accommodated.”

As for the past three years, there will be a ballot with entries ranked according to FEI points won at three- and four-star competitions in the two years preceeding the event. The 85 horses with the highest points are accepted and others placed on a waiting list, from which withdrawals are replaced.

The statement added: “This change is being publicised now in order to give the maximum possible notice to riders and owners of the conditions that will be published in Badminton’s 2011 schedule. Both British Eventing, British Equestrian Federation and the FEI have given approval to these additional requirements.”

Read more in next week’s H&H (10 June).

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.