Pretty in pink - Georgia Bartlett and Spano De Nazca
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Blenheim Palace International 2021 - order or view videos here
90 horses were presented to The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials Ground Jury consisting of Seppo Laine, Jane Tolley and Judy Hancock under glorious blue skies and warm September sunshine.
There can’t be many more spectacular venues for a Horse Inspection with the Palace as a backdrop, especially in the dappled autumn light and it’s a shame that it was closed to the public. For the first time this year The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is presented by The Jockey Club and it’s exciting to see how this relationship might blossom in the future.
All 90 horses were accepted with hardly any hesitation. Mrs Sarah Francis’ My Man Mickie, presented and to be ridden by Michelle Williamson for GBR, was sent to the holding box and subsequently passed upon representation.
Susie Berry trotted up Mrs Jane Moss’ Gold Nugget for Andrew Downes. Gold Nugget was one of several horses who came out in front of the palace and decided it was go-time for cross country, and Susie was asked to trot him twice because of his exuberant behavior but passed easily.
France’s Gaspard Maksud and Cado Louvo
Hi-Ho Silver sponsored the Horse Inspection for the fourth year in a row and this year’s ‘theme’ was A Touch of Colours. France’s Gaspard Maksud and his own Cado Louvo were presented with the Best Dressed Male award - how can you not give a Frenchman in a beret a prize! Georgia Bartlett, presenting her own Spano De Nazca won the Female version, and Emily King took home the Best Turned Out Prize for Valmy Biats.
Michael Jackson was allowed to trot up the stallion Gary Power’s PSH Promise Me out of order and ten minutes before the official start of the Inspection and he is indeed a stunning horse who couldn’t have kicked off the proceedings any better. Heidi Coy and Matthew Heath both have three horses in the competition and several riders have two horses. Eight nations are represented with Sam Griffiths (Billy Liffey) and Bill Levett (Huberthus AC) flying the flag for Australia.
Kitty King is bringing her European Championship ride Vendredi Biats to do the test ride at 8:30am Thursday in the Palace Arena, and the dressage for the CCI4*L will start at 9am; dressage for the CCI4*S will run concurrently in the next door ring in the same arena but starting Thursday 10:30am.
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Article by Samantha Clark
Michael Jackson presents Gary Power’s PSH Promise Me
