| PRESS RELEASE - 10th January
2005 
BADMINTON
ON COURSE FOR 2005
Preparations are in full swing
for the 2005 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials on 5th – 8th May. The
Box Office opened to the public on 10th January and the Willis. Bros. are already
working on Hugh Thomas’ cross county course, which has a dozen new fences
to test the world’s best riders. The Tradestand Village of almost 500 exhibitors
is as usual completely sold out. World record prize money will be on offer
as well as the famous Mitsubishi Motors Trophy. The first prize goes up to £50,000
($96,665.00 US, at the March 7th exchange rate) with increases throughout
the top 20 places – some £200,000 ($386,620 US, at the March 7th
exchange rate) in all will go to the riders and owners, a big increase from
even 10 years ago. Hugh Thomas, Event Director said “While we are very
pleased to be increasing our prize money in what is an expensive sport for riders
and owners, we are also investing in the technical side of the event. We have
a new layout for the Steeplechase phase, reducing the tight turns, and will limit
it to a 4 minute course; we continue with drainage and improvements to the main
arena; and we have put in several more take offs and landings that are “weatherproof”.” Every
year Badminton nominates one charity which the event supports and which has the
opportunity to use the event for publicity and fundraising. In 2005 it will be
The Child Bereavement Trust, which works to help bereaved families. Grief in its
many forms is one of the most painful experiences that anyone can suffer and every
year it happens to thousands of families when their baby or child is dying or
has died, and when children experience the death of their mother or father, brother
or sister. Through listening to these children and parents and learning from their
experiences, The Child Bereavement Trust provides training, support and resources
to improve the care offered by professionals to families in the immediate crisis
and in the many months following the death of someone important in their lives. The
event web site at www.badminton-horse.co.uk is a mine of information and secure
bookings can be made through it. The Box Office can also be contacted direct on
0870 2423436. With Badminton looking forward to welcoming Olympic medallists and
riders with their eyes on places at the European Championships, a strong competition
is assured. **ENDS**
Further information: Julian Seaman, Press
Officer
41 Gastein Road, London, W6 8LT
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 385 0591
Fax: + 44 (0) 207 386 9820
Email: Julianseaman@gastein.fsnet.co.uk
Also:
Mitsubishi Motors Press Office
Tel: + 44 (0) 1285 647200
Email: pressoffice@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk The
Colt Pond Gets a Clean Up 
| 