Badminton Horse Trials: Putting on the show

Around 200,000 visitors are expected to head to Badminton Horse Trials later to watch some of the world's top riders and horses compete.

But what does it actually take to put on one of the most prestigious horsing events in the annual calendar?

On top of the 100km of electrical cables and 650 portable toilets there is also a staggering amount of planning.

The tents are up, the bars are stocked and the horses are stabled in the personal yard of the Duke of Beaufort right next to the big house.

But while the animals and riders limber up for the dressage, the scoreboard team is preparing to write all the scores by hand in white paint.

"I got the job doing this as I sent Jane, the event director a Christmas card and she liked my handwriting," explains Sarah Tucker from Coalpit Heath who has taken the week off work as a 111 call line trainer to work at the show.

"Just goes to show that good handwriting gets you everywhere doesn't it?" she added.

Sarah, and her scoreboard team mate Wendy Barke, a dog groomer from Winterbourne, are centre stage at Badminton.

"Oh it all goes on in front of us," said Wendy.

"I help out shouting out the scores to Sarah who has to go running up and down a big ladder," she added.

Sarah has to stand on the top rung of a tall ladder and hand paints the scores on the board, with hand cramp a risk during the show.

The scoreboard is believed to be the only one at an event like this written by hand, as the Duke of Beaufort would like to keep it that way.

Holly Hopkins, assistant site manager, said the list of things to do at the show is "never ending".

That list covers toilets, the marquees, car parking, water supply and all the technology across the site - along with the arenas and the watering and preparation of the cross-country course.

"The main arena is looking utterly beautiful at the moment," said Holly, who will step up to become overall site manager in 2026.

"We have manicured it since February and this is where dressage, show jumping and the final fence of cross country happens.

"We started mowing this back in March and put a lot of water out as there hasn't been much rain, which has been a challenge for us," she added.

As the show drew closer, an estimated 1,000 truck journeys were needed to bring in all the trade stands, and the deer who usually wander the estate were moved to holding pens until the show finishes.

The Badminton Estate, which has more than 100 stables, has a centuries-old relationship with horses.

The main yard was built in 1878, with the duke at the time selling his son's army commission to pay for it. Most of the 85 competition horses are stabled in the yards next to the house.

"You feel like you are in a different world at times," said stable manager, Margaret Hopkins.

"Everything is very traditional," she added.

Margaret works out of the old clerk of works office, which holds historic memories for the estate, including old harnesses used for demonstrating the family's status when travelling up to London.

"When the competitors walk under the archway it has a very special aura - along with a fair bit of nervous energy.

"There is a lot of superstition from riders about which stables they use. They like to use the stables they won in before," she added.

Scoreboard recruiter and overall event manager Jane Tuckwell said the preparation for each Badminton begins the day after the last one finishes.

Mars Lake - a combination of jumps and water - is a key part of the fabric of the event, which began 76 years ago.

The lake is one of the most popular spots for spectators, and is surrounded by bars and stands.

"I was told the more terrifying they look, the easier they are to jump - but that was the course designer so maybe he would say that," she said.

The welfare of the horses, Jane said, is the most important thing for the team.

"We have a superb vet team in place and a wonderful medical team and a paramedic at every fence," she added.

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