Every year, the Badminton Horse Trials draw in over 200,000 visitors, not just for the equestrian spectacle but also for the extensive shopping experience it offers. The event features numerous marquees housing more than 500 exhibitors selling a wide array of products, ranging from clothing to horse riding equipment and jewelry. Local businesses from regions like Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bristol, and Somerset converge at Badminton to showcase their wares to the throngs of attendees.
One such exhibitor is sculptor Jan Sweeney, who has been a fixture at the Badminton Horse Trials for three decades. Based in Somerset, Sweeney crafts brass and resin wildlife sculptures, a passion she discovered later in life after a varied journey that involved overcoming challenges like dyslexia and finding solace in sculpting after personal losses. Her artistic creations now grace the event, adding a touch of nature’s beauty to the shopping extravaganza.
For Sweeney, Badminton represents not just a marketplace but a place of personal fulfillment and connection with both her craft and the event’s vibrant atmosphere. She reminisces about the enduring appeal of Badminton, noting its evolution over the years while still retaining its essence as a destination that offers unique and exclusive finds not easily available elsewhere.
The event isn’t just about shopping; it’s a social hub where visitors can enjoy various activities beyond perusing the stalls. With over 100 street food vendors offering global cuisines and the lively Outside Chance bar serving as a popular gathering spot, Badminton caters to diverse tastes and preferences, creating a holistic experience that goes beyond mere commerce.
Local businesses like Born Sloppy, run by Ed Wickenden from Gloucestershire, find Badminton not just a venue for commerce but a retreat from the daily grind. Wickenden, balancing his business with his work as a builder, appreciates the event’s eclectic mix of attendees and the refreshing change of scenery it offers.
As the event unfolds, with trade stands bustling and the air filled with the aroma of international cuisines, Badminton emerges as a melting pot of culture, commerce, and community. From Cheltenham-based Beatrice Von Trecksow’s stand to the myriad food stalls and trade exhibitors, the event showcases the diversity and dynamism of the region’s business landscape.
Badminton Horse Trials isn’t just a sporting event; it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and camaraderie. It exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between equestrian culture and commerce, where artisans like Jan Sweeney find a platform to share their creations with a captivated audience. As the event continues to evolve, one thing remains constant – the enduring allure of Badminton as a place where passion meets purpose, and shopping meets horsemanship in a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.
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