Badminton Horse Trials: the days I’d choose and why

Badminton 2026 runs from 6–10 May. If you’re choosing one day, I’d pick Wednesday for the grassroots, Thursday or Friday for a quieter look around the shops alongside the dressage, Saturday for five-star cross-country, or Sunday for showjumping.

We’re at Badminton for the whole week with the Cool Horse Socks stand. We stay there, work on the stand and get chances to explore, so my experience is a little different from coming for a day. Wednesday is a favourite because I’d love to compete there with my horse, Rebel, one day.

Wednesday: watching the grassroots

I really enjoy watching the grassroots cross-country. Reaching the Badminton grassroots final with Rebel is something I’m aiming for, at BE90 or BE100. I need to find a bit more nerve for the 100 first!

Watching those combinations makes it feel as though it could be achievable. That’s what makes it such a special part of the week for me: being able to imagine having that experience ourselves one day.

The grassroots championships have BE90 and BE100 sections. If that’s what you want to watch, check the official grassroots programme when planning your visit. Wednesday’s grassroots cross-country and Saturday’s five-star cross-country are separate competitions.

Thursday and Friday: my choices for shopping

If you’d like time to shop, Thursday and Friday would be my choices. They’re the five-star dressage days and, in my experience, quieter for having a proper look around the stands.

The shopping village is huge. I like the variety of smaller brands, both in the tents and along the outdoor rows, where you’ll find our Cool Horse Socks stand. It’s worth leaving time to explore those as well as heading straight for the names you already know.

I also enjoy the masterclasses and displays. Check the current programme to see what’s on and when, so you can fit your shopping around the things you’d like to watch.

Our Cool Horse Socks stand at Badminton

We’re part of those outdoor shopping rows, with Cool Horse Socks on the stand throughout the week. If you’re visiting Badminton, come and have a look at the socks in person, choose your favourite colours and designs, and say hello.

If you can’t make it to Badminton, you can also browse our socks online.

Saturday: five-star cross-country

Saturday is the big cross-country day and draws a lot of visitors. If your main reason for going is to watch the top combinations out on the five-star course, this is the day to choose.

It’s a very different prospect from the grassroots, with the best in the sport tackling the course. Decide which parts you most want to watch before you fill the rest of your day.

If the three phases are new to you, British Equestrian’s introduction to eventing explains how dressage, cross-country and showjumping fit together.

Sunday: showjumping and the final result

Sunday is the five-star showjumping day. If you want to watch in the main arena, you need to check grandstand tickets as well as admission. The organiser’s visitor information explains the current arrangements.

I also like the chance to look at the five-star cross-country fences during the week. Follow the permitted public routes and the current access instructions: Badminton’s published course-walking guidance says to stay outside the string and off the actual competition course.

Leave room for the smaller stands and the food

I find the food options interesting too. Being there all week gives me more opportunity to explore, but if you’re visiting for a day, I’d choose the competition you most want to see first, then leave some time for food and a wander around the stands.

For me, Wednesday is the day that brings it closest to what I’d love to do with Rebel. If you’re coming for the five-star cross-country, you’ll want Saturday. That’s the useful starting point: choose the experience you want, then build your day around it.

2026 event guide, dated 5 May 2026. Updated 15 October 2026. The stand invitation above relates to Badminton 2026; our cover photograph is from our mixed-year Badminton archive. Check the official Badminton website for your visit’s programme, tickets and access information.