Brrrrr! After several weeks of lovely weather at events in France and England, I seem to have run out of luck. As I arrived at the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, a few drops of rain started and the afternoon’s first horse inspection took place under grey skies and a sea of brollies. However it takes more than a bit of rain to spoil a great event such as this and I’m just going to have to do some shopping (such a hardship) and buy a pair of wellies.
Marriage seems to agree with the very happy looking Wendy Schaeffer
Blenheim is probably the most prestigious 3* event in England, set in the lovely grounds of Blenheim Palace, and for the past four years it has hosted both a CCI and CIC 3*. The CCI 3* features many of the top riders such as last year’s winner William Fox-Pitt, this year riding Before Time and Running Order, Andrew Nicholson riding Viscount George, Mark Todd riding Up N Go and Pippa Funnell riding Or Noir de la Loge. The recently married Wendy Schaeffer is here riding Koyuna Sun Dancer, Warren Lamperd (brother of Murray who has just arrived back in Germany) and interesting that Phillip Dutton has made a dash across the water from the USA with his American Hoslteiner gelding Ben.
The CIC 3* is designed to showcase the eventing horses of the future, being dedicated to eight and nine year old horses. This class started in 2009 and has had some impressive winners such as Mark Todd’s NZB Land Vision, William Fox-Pitt’s Oslo and Andrew Nicholson’s Quimbo. This year we’ll be keeping a close eye on Bill Levett’s Improvise who finished second at Tattersalls this year to another likely contender here, Pippa Funnell and Billy Beware. Other Australians in this class are Paul Tapner riding Up In The Air and Indian Mill, Emma Dougall riding Belcam Bear, Sam Griffiths and Favorit Z, Kevin McNab riding Fernhill Quality Street and Chris Burton riding Graf Liberty. Shane Rose and Virgil are also in this class; Shane was just getting warmed up at his first European event in France recently so hopefully will be hot to trot (and gallop).
Hats off by Eric Lieby and Nick Burton (love the horse's expression!)
At the first horse inspection today a few horses were sent to the holding box but all passed on re-inspection. While the Ground Jury of Eric Lieby (France), Nick Burton (Great Britain) and Lindsay Jenkins (Great Britain) ran their experienced eyes over the horses, three other pairs of eyes belonging to Rachel Wakefield, Steph Strobel and Spencer Sturmey were checking out the riders’ outfits for the Best Dressed prize – we’ll hopefully find out what the result was tomorrow but there were a few that caught our eye
Julie Tew and Lord of the Owls
Nicola Wilson and Beltane Queen
Sara Squires and Orto
Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul
Dressage kicks off for both classes at 9am and there is plenty of other entertainment going on. We’ll be kept busy bringing you competition reports and the flavour of Blenheim so stay tuned
Enter at A and keep on going through the Palace door
Meanwhile, over in the VIP Marquee, someone's bust is preparing to be unveiled during the weekend - any guesses whose?
