Equestrian
Badminton Horse Trials is arguably the most prestigious equestrian event in the world, attracting huge crowds and presenting an impressive groundsmanship challenge with its natural parkland setting
The main eventing
Contractor Phil Cole and Event Director Hugh Thomas in front of the Lake
and its owner’s ‘back garden’ outside of the event build up period, would be a serious challenge for most grounds teams.
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Add to this a ‘field of play’ measuring thirty acres and spectator numbers of 150,000 over four days, and the task facing Hugh Thomas, Event Director of Badminton Horse Trials and his contractor Phil Cole becomes even more momentous.
In addition to the 6500m long cross country course, there is a 110 x 75 metre grass main arena which is in use on all four days of the event, and the competition plays host to the most successful competitors in the sport, 110 PC JUNE/JULY 2013
reparing for a world class annual sporting event on a green field site with minimal permanent infrastructure, let alone a site that returns to being a historic park,
including Olympic and world champions. The Badminton Horse Trials team has been managing preparation of the park for the competition - one of only six four star three-day events classified by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) - for some forty years. But, as Hugh Thomas explains, in 2007 it became clear that more specialist help was needed.
“It had been a very dry spring, and the park, which is home to sheep and deer, had been overgrazed, so the ground was hard and rough. We spread copious amounts of sand and the footing became acceptable for that event, but we knew that it needed more attention.” Fortunately, at that time, Badminton’s chief cross-country steward was John Hills, manager of Taunton Racecourse. “John suggested that I contact Phil Cole who, as well as offering contract
Using a bowser to ensure perfect footing in the arena
services to the racecourse, also looked after Cirencester Park’s polo grounds, so had plenty of experience in maintaining equestrian surfaces.”
Phil has been an important part of the team ever since, supplying specialist machinery and manpower, whilst working alongside Badminton’s retained groundsman who carries out routine tasks such as mowing. He explains: “On studying the cross country course, it became clear that it can be divided into two parts: the top half being free draining on Cotswold brash, which is close to the surface in places, and the lower half featuring heavier soils which are less free draining.”
Phil cut the sward right back, scarified and aerated the surface and noted that plant populations were quite low. And there was the weather to contend with -
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