The beautiful Blenheim Palace, which was built in the early 1700's, provides a wonderful back drop
to this popular event
The 2013 Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (12-15 September) is set to play host to a thrilling end-of-season 3* contest. More than 150 top riders, representing 16 different nations will battle it out across the two main events to take top honours in the feature Blenheim CCI3* event and the increasingly prestigious support class, the Blenheim 8/9 year old horse (CIC3*) Championship (where our own Shane Rose will be riding Virgil). Many up and coming hopefuls will also be competing in the Dodson & Horrell Pony Club and Riding Club Eventer Challenges and BE Trizone 100.
Shane Rose and Virgil will be hoping for a good performance at Blenheim
Blenheim has a tradition of showcasing future equine champions, with top riders using it as a proving ground for their young horses, before they step up to 4* level. Many 'Blenheim equine graduates' have gone on to even greater fame. For example, the two 2010 winners went on to win Badminton and Burghley the following year ((Mark Todd with NZB LandVision; William Fox-Pitt with Parklane Hawk) and Andrew Nicholson's Quimbo (last year's 8/9 year old Champion) and Fox-Pitt's Seacookie (last year's CCI winner) finishing first and second (respectively) in The Rolex Kentucky three day event this April.
This year, The Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials sees:
Entries from five (of the 6) riders competing in the British squad at the European Eventing Championship in Malmo (Sweden) this weekend: Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell, Izzy Taylor and Lucy Wiegersma.
Izzy Taylor will be at Blenheim
Photo: Adam Fanthorpe
Blenheim's most successful riders, Pippa Funnell going for her record 5th Blenheim CCI win on Or Noir de la Loge and William Fox-Pitt trying to equal her current tally of four, on one of his entries, Running Order and Before Time.
Some new faces going for a first Blenheim win including the youngest rider this year 18 year old Blenheim first-timer Niklas Bschorer from Germany riding Lord Shostakovich in the CIC3*.
Cross country action on both days of the weekend over a course designed by Eric Wnter, with some exciting new fences including a combination of 'dragons' which will test riders ability to keep straight coming out of Blenheim's famous river crossing and a finale fence made of rubbish bins!.
Eric Winter will be eager to see his new fences jumped
Yogi Breisner, World Class Performance Manager and Chef d'Equipe to the Senior British Eventing team, will be a lunch speaker on the Thursday (12 September) providing a unique insight into what it's really like backstage at an Olympics. Tickets still available with donations to Macmillan Cancer Support.
A new Learning Area (running daily) with free lectures and demonstrations on a wide variety of equine topics giving visitors the opportunity to consult experts in their field
The new Field and Hunt Masters Gate Jumping competition on the Saturday, similar to Blenheim's ever-popular Eventers High Jump competition (which will run once again, on the Sunday). In both these events, riders who knock a fence, have the chance to 'buy an extra life' by removing their saddle/a piece of clothing and jumping the fence again.
Even more shopping and family attractions, all set within the magnificent, palatial setting which makes this event such a great day out for all the family.
Online advance bookings, which start at £10 for an adult (under 12s get free admission), close 6 September. All advance bookings qualify for a discount on gate prices and a free car parking pass. After 6th September general admission tickets and parking can be purchased on the gate.
AEL will be there to watch the action, talk to the riders and capture all the excitement from this popular British event – stay posted …
