The winner of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials next year will take home a record £100,000 prize.
With the increase in this first prize of £20,000, up from the £80,000 Michael Jung (pictured) won this year, the overall prize pot has also increased in value by 10% to nearly £360,000.
“In this professional era of the sport the winner of the most prestigious event of them all will be properly rewarded,” said a Badminton spokesman.
“Forty years ago, in 1976, the top prize was £1,000.”
The money prizes at the 2017 event (3-7 May) will go down to 20th place, of the normal starting figure of 80 combinations, while all those who complete will be given their entry fee back, plus a small, set amount.
Badminton event director Hugh Thomas said: “It has long been our policy to regard owners and riders as the first call on such commercial success as the event has, and to keep the prize money well ahead of inflation.
“I am also especially proud of the fact that the connections of every horse that finishes takes away more than it cost them to enter.”
The prize money is not the only element to change for next year’s trials, as course-designer Eric Winter has taken over the reins from Giuseppe Della Chiesa, saying it was a “dream come true” to be appointed.
“With the extra prize money, our new course-designer and continued television coverage, 2017 looks set to be a great event,” the Badminton spokesman told H&H.
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The four-star is also celebrating being named the best eventing event at the 2016 L’Annee Hippique awards, the second time in three years it has won the title.
Mr Thomas said: “What makes this award special is that it is chosen by the international professionals in equestrian sport.”
