The 2011 Badminton Horse Trials

. In 2011 the event takes place over the Easter weekend, April 21-25. The entire event encompasses a five day period with a variety of shopping opportunities that rival any town mall. It makes the perfect destination for a family Bank Holiday.

The Three Day Event highlights dressage, cross country, and show jumping. One of these occurs each day allowing spectators to choose their area of interest or take in the full range of events. The riders aren't the only champions. The horses can only compete at Badminton if they've earned sufficient points in the previous season to qualify.

William Fox-Pitt has won a record 40 Three Day Events including the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trails (2004). He has five horses entered for 2011 from which to choose. Entries from 12 countries include a strong squad from Germany. Andrew Nicholson from New Zealand boasts 29 completions but has yet to win the event brought three horses including his individual World Equestrian Games Bronze Medallist, Nereo.

The event has been extended to include Thursday 21st April to include the Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championships for amateur and weekend riders. All the trade stands will be open for business including #141 which offers Dodson & Horrell horse feed, herbs and supplements. They have their feed experts there to answer any queries or concerns owners may have regarding their horse's diets. This extra day affords spectators an opportunity not only to visit the stands but to walk the cross country course as well.

Cancer Research UK has been chosen as the 2011 Charity of the Year for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. This always means they receive large donations for their work.

The United State has a contingent of six riders, one of their largest contingents in years. Three members of Canada's WEG Silver Winning Team have joined the Americans in crossing the pond for this three Day Event.

The women riders are also well represented. Tina Cook comes with her 2009 European Champion ride. Piggy French brought two of her winning rides with her, and Triple Badminton Winner Pippa Funnell will ride for the first time since 2008. Mary King, a previous winner of the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trails, arrives with three horses from which to choose. Daisy Berkeley and Lucy Wiegersma with her 2008 runner-up horse also deserve a hard look.

Those new to the event have winning histories that mean they should be closely watched. Laura Collett has made a golden trail through the age specific ranks, and James Robinson, who is a practicing vet, represents the amateur rider with his horse Comanche.

With the London 2012 Summer Olympics a year away, the International team managers will be watching Badminton this year to calculate how their plans are evolving.