THOUSANDS of horse fans from all around the country converged on the Duke of Beaufort’s Badminton Estate under clear blue skies for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Numbers were down on previous years, but the weekend's good weather proved incentive enough for those who had stayed away from the dressage on Thursday and Friday because of the gales to venture out on the Saturday.

Badminton is one of only five four-star (top-level) three-day events in the world, but with nearly 300 trade stands for visitors to peruse at their leisure many visitors give ‘Badders’, as it is affectionately known, a reputation for being a shopper’s dream.

However, many traders were noticing a downturn in trade from previous years.

Event director Hugh Thomas was not surprised that the recession had reached as far as the eventing community, and already has plans in hand to move Badminton to the Bank Holiday weekend from 2010, guaranteeing better TV coverage and making the most of the three day break.

"We are not doing too badly," said Mr Thomas.

"Although advance sales are down around five or six percent and there’s a bigger drop-out rate with trade stands than usual."

However, there was certainly a buzz around glamour model and keen rider Katie 'Jordan' Price, 30, who attracted hundreds of fans as she posed to launch her clothing range, KP Equestrian. Stockists Derby House, who have been bringing their stand to Badminton for 30years, certainly reaped the benefit of the hundreds of girls keen to catch a glimpse of their glamorous role model.

Many visitors were also keen to see Gatcombe girl Zara Phillips win her first Badminton, but many failed to catch even a glimpse of the royal rider who was forced to retire both of her horses before the end of the cross-country course.

The event came to a thrilling conclusion in the show jumping ring on Sunday with British riders William Fox Pitt and Oliver Townend battling out for the prestigious £60,000 first prize in the brilliant sunshine. The eventual winner was Oliver Townend riding Flint Curtis.