Cross Country course designer steps down for Badminton
Badminton 2017 will host a fresh new course, designed by Blenheim course designer Eric Winter. Current course designer, Giuseppe Della Chiesa, gracefully bows out following a successful three year reign designing the Gloucestershire based course. Giuseppe felt unable to accept the invitation to continue in his position, after being hailed for bringing a fresh outlook to the Badminton course. Giuseppe expressed how he was a great believer in the benefits of changing course designer from time to time and wished Eric all success.
Eric, 53, who lives with his wife and family near Chepstow, is no stranger to cross country course design boasting a résumé that encompasses tracks such as Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (for the last 10 years), the Asian Games, two European Pony Championships, a European Junior and a European Young Rider Championship course. Giuseppe has already had hands on experience with the infamous Badminton course, as he was a Technical Delegate from 2011-2014, and as a rider completed the event in 1991.
Giuseppe said: “After having had the privilege of designing Badminton for three years it has been a true honour to have been offered the possibility to continue but, sadly, I am not able to go on due to shifting life priorities and new personal commitments”.
Giuseppe went on to say: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Duke of Beaufort, Hugh Thomas and all the very special Badminton team for their trust and support through this challenging and rewarding journey. Last but not least a very special thank you goes to James Willis and all the Willis Bros without whom nothing would have been possible. It has been a real pleasure to work with all of them”.
Eric said on his appointment to the new role: “It is a great honour to be asked to design the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton course – it is such an iconic event. I first visited Badminton in 1974 – that was my first ever taste of eventing. In recent years I have been involved in several different roles and have got to know the team behind the scenes very well. To be asked to design here is truly a dream come true and I am extremely thankful to all those involved for giving me this opportunity. I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
