Journal
Badminton 2018
by Pamela Glover-Cox, SportsQuest International, LLC
IntroductionHi, my name is Pam Glover-Cox. This spring, I have had an opportunity to travel from my home in California to the British countryside – to attend the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. This is my first visit to Badminton and my first international equestrian event.
Throughout this journey, I will be sharing thoughts, impressions, ideas and inspirations. I am truly excited to experience something new, to meet new people and to expand my knowledge of equestrian sport.
A little about me. I am a passionate outdoors person, who enjoys camping, hiking, cooking, working with children and spending quality time with family and friends.
I am a ‘city girl’ from the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area – but have always had a desire to experience the countryside up close and personal – with animals, a farm-to-table lifestyle, beautiful vistas, fresh air, gardens and a decidedly less stressful atmosphere than one finds in the city.
Day One
Accompanied by my husband, I left San Francisco in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, changing planes in Chicago and landing at London’s Heathrow Airport late that evening. We took a bus to Bristol and reached our hotel just after 2:00 a.m. British Summer Time (BST) on Thursday.
After a short night’s sleep and a good breakfast we were off to collect our rental car, purchase some last minute items and drive to the horse trials.
Bristol is an impressive, multicultural city - with elements of the old and the new beautifully interwoven. Our hotel is located in the historic riverbank area around the Temple Meads Rail Station.
As we drove to Badminton, I felt excitement about the new experience. Since childhood, I have loved animals. As a young adult, I had an opportunity to ride. Since then, I have felt a kinship with the horse - and a primal connection to the rhythmic motion and calming feeling they bring.
The English countryside is like a blank painter’s canvas - wide open, clean, very green, picturesque - with an ever changing backdrop of country cottages, farms, horses, sheep, stone walls and narrow, winding roads. From the motorway, we saw a modern solar farm – co-existing with centuries-old tradition. Time seemed to stand still. One notices that things here are quiet, orderly and clean.
Once at Badminton, I observed a very well choreographic event – enjoyed by people with a passion for horses, dogs, family and life. The excellence seems effortless. The first two days of competition are devoted to Dressage – with each of the competitors performing a prescribed test that showcases timing, grace and precision. The final ride of the day was a beautifully smooth and impressive performance turned in by Yoshiaki Oiwa of Japan and his mount The Duke of Cavan.
The entire Badminton operation appeared to be meticulously well organized, with new technologies in place to assist in the smooth management and production of a major international competition. In speaking with the horse trials’ personable Media Director, Julian Seaman, we learned that for the very first time, drones will be incorporated into video coverage of this year’s event - as competitors negotiate obstacles at the lake during the cross-country phase of the competition on Saturday.
Before leaving the grounds for the day, we visited a number of trade fair booths. The vendors were friendly and eager to talk about their products. The various booths included all types of horse gear, vehicles, structures, gazebos, farming equipment, outdoor furniture, jewelry, clothing, shoes and boots, art and food. There was ample entertainment for all members of the public.
At the close of the day’s event, I really wanted a good meal. We visited The Old Royal Ship, a family owned local pub within minutes of Badminton. It was a cheerful and most welcoming environment. The patrons seemed happy, the staff most hospitable. The food was made with love, the presentation on point. I enjoyed a large serving of fried cod fish with chips (french fries to us Americans) and salad greens. My husband had the fried shrimp scampi. Desert was a homemade strawberry tart, with ice cream. Magnificent! We’ve decided to return for dinner tomorrow evening.
The trip is off to a great start!
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Day Two
Day Three
Day Four