Badminton: Hints and tips for the spectator.

We, of course, aren't all lucky enough to be competing at Badminton next weekend, yet hundreds of thousands of us will be filing through the entrance as spectators. With hundreds of shops to please the shopaholic, five days of both top and grassroots eventing and the promise of a fantastic day out whatever your interest, Badminton really does offer it all. So, how will one make the most out of their day?

Firstly, as I've mentioned in a previous post; the fences to watch (if you aren't keen on walking the entire course for the whole day!) are as follows;

• The Lake (although I am sure this goes without saying, after Tina Cook's dunking last year I am sure the Lake may take another rider this year!)


• The Quarry (rated 10/10 for difficulty by Andrew Hoy in Horse and Hound this week, at the end of the course this may prove a challenging face)


• Sunken Lane (upped this year in difficulty it seems, which no doubt will catch someone out)


• Huntsman's Close (always a tricky fence, rated 9/10 by Andrew Hoy in H&H)


• and surprisingly, the Colt Pond. (the direct route may prove the less popular option)

Also look out for the Shogun Hollow, the Hexagon Hedge and The Farmyard (an underestimated fence last year).

If you're a keen shopper, be sure to purchase this week's Horse and Hound. In the middle of the issue is 30 vouchers to save money in the shopping village, ranging from a FREE Antares breast plate to £200 off any Activo-Med Magnetic and Massage rug.

If you're a newbie spectator to Badminton this year be sure to be prepared. This year's weather forecast may be good but sturdy boots may be a necessity - especially on Cross Country and Show Jumping days when the ground has been churned up over the past four days. If the weather is fine wellies may not be needed - as we all know how hard the ground is at the moment! Yet substantial footwear round the 6.5km course is a must!

At lunch time queues for food are pretty long - so I do recommend taking a picnic! (or planning your lunchtime accordingly). If you can bare to steal yourself away from the Cross Country action on the Sunday I advise retiring to your car for a spot of lunch as again, the picnic areas get rather busy with 250,000 spectators eating at the same time!

I hope for fine weather (last year's wasn't quite so preferable, I remember a lot of numb fingers and sporting the 'drowned rat' look!), and looking at the forecast I am sure it will come. Hopefully the ground has been looked after accordingly and that we won't have another 2007 scenario (22 competitors withdrawing due to the hard conditions). I look forward to the 21st!