Grassroots Festival awarded to Badminton
In an exciting development for its amateur riders, British
Eventing today (29 October) announced that from 2010, the new venue
for its popular Grassroots Festival will be during the illustrious
Badminton Horse Trials, sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors. Now in its
third year, the vibrant Grassroots Festival brings together winners
from intro and pre-novice regional qualifiers from around the
country to contest the overall Championship.
To enable more riders to qualify for the Mitsubishi Motors
Badminton Grassroots Festival next year, a Championship will not be
held in 2009, but will run for the first time in May 2010. Winners
from 1st June this year will be allocated places in Regional Finals
as well.
Grassroots Festival qualifiers will enjoy a ‘championships
village’ atmosphere in Badminton Park and compete around a
specially-designed and built cross country course. Most of the
dressage will take place on the Wednesday, same day as the famous
Badminton trot-up, with show jumping and cross country on Thursday
(first day of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials). On
Thursday evening, the winning riders will parade on the hallowed
turf of Badminton’s main arena.
Mike Etherington Smith, Sport Director of British Eventing says:
“This is great boost for the sport and we are thrilled that
Mitsubishi Motors – a company that has supported horse trials at
the highest level since 1992 - is extending their interest in
eventing. To give our members the opportunity to compete at
Badminton will be a great thrill, and a not-to-be-missed
opportunity.”
Jim Tyrrell, Chief Executive Officer at Mitsubishi Motors, who
also announced an extension of their support of Badminton Horse
Trials through to 2012 says: “The Mitsubishi Motors brand has
always been closely associated with equestrianism and countryside
pursuits. Our record-breaking relationship with Badminton Horse
Trials provides us with an excellent opportunity to invest in these
talented and aspiring three-day eventers – Great Britain’s future
champions.”
Hugh Thomas, Director of Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse
Trials says: “We are very excited at the idea of extending our long
relationship with Mitsubishi Motors through to Olympic year, 2012,
which will be the 21st year of their sponsorship here. To be able
to host the Championships for the Grassroots riders alongside our
international event will be quite a challenge but we much look
forward to making them feel part of our Badminton family.”
2008 Baileys Intro Grassroots Festival Champion Caroline Bridge,
says: “This is fantastic news for amateur eventers! Everyone dreams
of riding at Badminton, so what better incentive than to work
towards our own Grassroots Championships at such a well-known,
world famous venue!
“I love competing at Intro and Pre-Novice level and I can’t wait
now to get my youngster ready for the chance to compete at the
Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Grassroots Festival in 2010.”
- ENDS -
Editors notes:
British Eventing (BE) is the governing body of for Horse Trials
in Great Britain and regulates the sport as well as scheduling over
190 events throughout the country. Eventing is a combination of
equestrian disciplines including dressage, cross country and show
jumping. BE has over 13,000 members including day ticket holders,
with classes for all abilities of rider, from 80cm (Training
Classes) through to 1.30m (Advanced). It has successful gold-medal
winning teams at Pony, Junior, Young Rider and Senior Level. Its
Olympic team won Bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games, as well as
Individual Bronze. Intro - Riders perform a set dressage test,
followed by a round of show jumping 8-12 numbered obstacles (timed,
max height 0.95m). This is followed by the cross-country (max
height 0.90m). Penalties are awarded for each discipline and the
winner is the horse and rider that have received the lowest number
of penalties overall. Pre-Novice - Riders perform a set dressage
test, followed by a round of show jumping 8-12 numbered obstacles
(timed, max height 1.05m). This is followed by the cross-country
(max height 1.00m). Penalties are awarded for each discipline and
the winner is the horse and rider that have received the lowest
number of penalties overall. www.britisheventing.com Further
information: Liza Randall, BE PR and Communications Manager on
07702 901002 or email liza.randall@britisheventing.com Andy
Wertheim, Mitsubishi Motors PR and Public Affairs, 01285 647157
Julian Seaman, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials press
officer, 07831 515 736