Easy to get in and park . Very well organised from that perspective.
The free facepainting for the kids was amazing .
As a first time visitor I don’t know what to expect but on reflection I would have liked to have seen more horse related activities.
Felt more a shopping focussed event. That said having been to lots of other types of shows with shopping options there didn’t seem to be too many show specific offers.
Disappointed the Defender activity was booked out almost immediately. Potential to expand this out maybe to increase capacity ?
All in all, we enjoyed the day ( weather helped) but would I come back ? Not every year that’s for sure . Would depend on other alternatives for the bank holiday.
Had a super day a bit spoilt by the endless wait to get out if Burghley. Took 2hrs. Why was everyone directed in single file for miles and miles?
Friday 11th - both the 2 phase and speed class was like watching paint dry. Having charged people to watch the majority of starters didn't even try. evan achieving time faults in the speed class! The commentator Evan sounded fed up having to say " saving it for tomorrows class". To say you were going to see a top class competition was fraud.
The most fantastic show I have ever been to
Apart from the cold damp weather a great experience. Only attended Friday but would loved to have attended more days. Great shops, clean toilets, good paths off the mud. Would liked to get a drink at the end but all shops closed before the finish of the day. More coffee shops in the middle of the shopping area would have been lovely for older less mobile attendees, rather than the walk to the food area.
My First time at Badminton this year 2023/7th May 2023 XC DAY. Arrived in Badminton at 9.30am 3 miles from the grounds for parking and it took my 4 hours in all the traffic , i got parked on a field miles away from the entrance at 1.37pm which waisted most of my day and i missed half the horses/riders.
Needs a lot more better managing of entering and parking for the volume of tickets sold on XC day.
Traffic management was worse than usual this year. Why oh why not have more than one entry and exit for the public? The Saturday queue was interminable.
The members enclosure was too far from the action on both dressage and show jumping day.
You really must do better.
I love this event, and it literally is the best weekend all year. However, I gave three stars due to the rude employees/volunteers who worked on the grounds this year. This being a spectator sport where spectators have to walk to get anywhere were constantly being yelled at to move out of the way for the golf carts. The people driving the golf carts were no better. Driving fast and reckless. The grounds people in general were just rude.
Dog owners need to be respectful and clean up after their dogs also. I hope in the future that dogs are not allowed at the event. People were stepping in dog poop all over the park. The focus is on the horses and their riders, leave the dogs at home.
Excellent opportunity to view top horses and riders. Good food choices. I especially appreciate the addition of shuttles from distant parking places for those of us with compromised knees.
Wonderful event, worth the trip
Disappointed with the “vip peppermint grove” lounge this year, went to this event in 2019 & I thought was a lot better then. I bought a 3 day pass, so works out at $266 a day. In my opinion the food & viewing wasn’t worth it. There was a judges box for the dressage plonked on the vip side of the arena, so you couldn’t get a whole view of the dressage test, the heritage stand would have had a clear unblocked view. Outside of the undercover marquee they had iron chairs to sit on which were extremely uncomfortable & low chairs so you could barely see over the fence. Cross country day we went to the water jump area early to secure a nice viewing spot of the grass (within the pep grove site), in which we were not allowed in as they were still setting up bigger formal tables. According to the digital program (which was also disappointing we didn’t get a hard copy) cross country started at 9:30, however it had changed to 10am, this meant we stood outside in the sun from 8-10am waiting to get let in. I thought this was ridiculous, we just wanted to go to the grass section which we told security however it was a no go. The formal tables for lunch were so crammed in here our table was literally on a slope, it didn’t feel like vip, it looked like let’s just cram another table in for another sale. No room to walk around, let alone the prams that were also brought in. The buffet was a shambles, I don’t know why they call it a 3 course meal when it was just a buffet, then some small slices/sweets after. It took AGES to stand and line up for the buffet, this happened on the Sunday as well.
The 2019 event was by far better value, I believe there was also a World Cup show jumping qualifier running at the same time, so there was some night show jumping to watch & a lot more jumping on the Sunday. They also had a vip lounge members “walk the course” with Andrew Hoy, this was excellent, more personal. The Sunday time table really didn’t have that many combinations, just 11 riders in the 5 star & similar in the 4 star.
Positives out of this event was there was a big screen at the water jump to watch the rest of the course (didn’t need to be in the vip lounge to see this), handy to have toilets close by, the vendors were nice & helpful, & I met a few lovely people to enjoy the day with. However when you are flying down from Brisbane, paying $266 a day for the lounge (I’m also a non drinker, it’s a shame we can’t get a different coloured wrist band & not have to pay for the alcohol), then for the people drinking alcohol they put a “4 drinks only” sign up. The event was under done & definitely not the value for food/viewing.
Hoping that 2024 will have more to watch, I doubt any of this feedback will be taken on board, so I would definitely re consider the lounge for the 3 days, it’s not a vip experience.
Amazingly as always so grateful to everyone responsible for organising and completing in the event
Friendl Volunteers. Great be able to walk the courses.
All good except parking I paid for 3 days giddy up club that was ment to include parking .
But badly trained parking attendant's
Stuffed up this
An international quality event, where you can see some of the best riders and horses in the world compete in a world class setting in the Adelaide Parklands.
Food offerings in the Polo Lounge, limited to pastries and cheese served in paper bags, was disappointing. The expensive ticket price should have included a drink on arrival at least…
Béer was served in glasses while cocktails, champagne and wine were served in plastic!
Polo Club tent could have had more umbrellas and seating.
Burghley can cost as a little or as much as you want to spend as you can choose to just go into the showground or pay extra to watch events in the arena. My husband and I go every year for the Saturday which is cross-country day where you get to see all the action with only an admission ticket. It's a really great day out and the competition is exciting. Staff are always really helpful and the facilities are great
Been to the horse trials a couple of times and have enjoyed it a lot. Did have good weather both times so I think that helps as it's very open. Only thing I would say is that you don't get entry to the Palace with your ticket and if you want to purchase separately it's an expensive ticket especially for families. Did really enjoy the competition though and facilities were good