Course designer James Willis has unveiled the 2026 LeMieux Grassroots Championships cross-country course at Badminton, running anticlockwise like the five-star event. Five-star eventer Kitty King described it as a thorough test of foundations and fitness. BE90 and BE100 riders will tackle the approximately 3,000m track on May 6.
The course begins near Huntsman’s Close, passing in front of the house and looping through the lake before crossing the park. Its second half intensifies with more terrain and challenges, including the return of the rail-ditch-rail combination. Willis noted the extra 400m and five jumping efforts allowed for a championship, stepping up technicality with novice-style questions in BE100 and BE100 questions in BE90 classes. Black flag options ensure safety at trickier fences. Kitty King emphasized the need for homework and fitness, saying, “Your foundations will be tested and you’ll know you’ve got a nice horse when you ride through the finish.” She warned of intensity towards the end, urging riders to stay focused. Willis added that the layout gained ground in the final third, creating intensity while keeping dimensions within limits. Key features include a new first fence from a fallen beech tree, brushes, lake elements, arrowheads, and a horseshoe finale. Ground conditions look promising, with expert Mark Lucey reporting good readings and excellent grass cover. The Badminton team plans to spike and water as needed based on lessons from last summer’s dry spell. King offered tips: ensure fitness for late terrain, train straight lines for accuracy, balance in gallops, and keep horses forward.
