VILLAGERS in Badminton are bracing themselves for the massive influx of horse lovers set to converge on the area for the annual Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials next month.

Of course, they are used to it by now; 60 years after the event was inaugurated by the previous Duke of Beaufort as a springboard for future British Olympic teams.

Nowadays, there are more riders wanting to take part in the Trials than there is space, and of the 129 entries representing ten nations, 85 have been accepted, with the remaining 44 placed on a waiting list.

“We are very lucky to still have Mitsubishi on board,” says Badminton director and course designer Hugh Thomas. “In these difficult times it would be impossible to host an event of this magnitude without them.”

Of course, the two red Mitsubishis that make up jump 17 are as familiar to Badminton aficionados as the lake jumps that follow and, as we stand looking back across the lake at the view of the impressive edifice that is Badminton House, the magnitude of just what we are asking the horses to achieve finally dawns.

As Mr Thomas points out, this particular view is one of the most iconic in the history of British Eventing.

“The willow for the fences is brought across especially from Suffolk,” says Thomas proudly. The quality of the willow is important because, as he says, it enables it to be woven into a curve at the top, which is safer for the horses to jump at this stage of the course.

But the high calibre of competitors means that the 10,000 or so spectators expected to visit Badminton this year can expect an unprecedented standard of riding.

Among those competing for the first prize of £60,000 are twice-Olympic gold winner Mark Todd, who has won the competition three times previously. Todd came out of retirement to compete in last year’s Olympic Games and returns to Badminton after a nine-year absence.

Local favourite Zara Phillips is also back in the field on the world-championship winning Toytown, who was unable to compete in the Olympics due to injury.

Other British riders include Mary King, riding Apache Sauce and Imperial Cavalier, and William Fox-Pitt, who hopes to follow his 2008 victory at Burghley with a win at Badminton, and Swindon-based Rodney Powell, riding ZinZanII.

If you would like to go along to the most anticipated event in the equestrian calendar, or even if you’d just like to take advantage of the equally famous shopping opportunities on site, contact the Box Office on 01454 218375 or Email: boxoffice@badminton-horse.co.uk