Behind the scenes at Badminton (From Gazette Series)

Behind the scenes at Badminton

RIDERS from 13 countries are due to arrive at the Duke of Beaufort's Gloucestershire estate to take part in the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse trials which runs from Wednesday and is the world's most famous event of its kind. Anna Parry met local rider Nick Gauntlett and went behind the scenes in the ancient Badminton stables, to discover what goes on there while the trials are on...

LOCAL rider Nick Gauntlett will be entering the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials for the second time this year.

Brought up on a farm within a mile of Chipping Sodbury School, where he was a pupil, Nick, 28, started riding at the age of eleven. He was a member of the Beaufort Hunt Pony Club and first experienced Badminton as a Pony Club runner.

His progress from Pony Club to international eventing was gradual: he kept on enjoying himself and he kept on winning.

According to Nick, Badminton is the event that everyone wants to take part in and win. It differs from other events because it is so popular. "As you approach a jump you have to keep your concentration, you have to keep your horse focussed because the crowds are ten people deep. You have to be really on the ball but you also have to keep up your speed."

There are three disciplines in a three day event: dressage, show jumping and cross country and Nick's favourte is cross country. "I love the adrenalin buzz. You are really competing against the course designer, who is trying to outwit the riders."

This year Nick is entering two horses in the competition. Calibre, sponsored by Northgate Information Solutions, is a ten year old gelding. "He has a huge heart, determination and a desire to please." Nick's second horse, Arthur's Word, half owned by Pam Davidson, the secretary of Chepstow Horse trials, began life as a dirt track racehorse in New Zealand.

With a place on the World Class Potential Programme which gives Nick access to nutritionists, psychologists, vets and trainers as well as growing sponsorship including a new contract with Damon Hill BMW, Nick has set his sights on the Olympic team. His dream would be to bring a medal back from London in 2012. "But in this country there is no guarantee that you will get into the team because the country is so strong. Britain could form three or four world class teams. At least when you do get in, you have a good chance of winning a medal."

Before he gets back to the yard where there is constant activity overseen by his head girl, Elodie Frost, Nick says, "This is a great area to live in, not only because of the M4 and M5. Yes, it's easy to get anywhere from here but we can also go out of the farm and hack along small country lanes."