Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (14-17 September 2023)

New organisers bring back Blenheim – the horse trials you know and love. In the September sunshine, some of the best horse and rider combinations in the world head to Blenheim Palace

International Horse Trials (BPIHT) 14-17 September, to compete against arguably the most impressive backdrop of all British horse trials – Blenheim Palace. Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and designed by Vanbrugh in the Baroque style, it houses one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe, which includes portraits, furniture, sculpture and tapestries.

The Palace, currently home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family, was built between 1705 and 1722 and is named after the 1704 Battle of Blenheim. It is the only non-royal country house in England to be given the title of a Palace and was even the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill. It was his father who described the vista on entering the Estate from the village of Woodstock as the ‘finest view in England’.

Roy Cox, Blenheim Estates Managing Director comments on the 2023 event which “continues over 30 years of this World Heritage Site providing a platform to our gold medal winning athletes, aspiring competitors and amateurs alike. All in front of the many tens of thousands who come to enjoy such a great sport in such a great setting making such special memories.”

Equestrian Action

Blenheim Palace

International Horse Trials has been a highlight of the equestrian calendar for over three decades. It is one of the only events to run both a CCI4*-S and a CCI4*-L. The long format provides a true test for a three-day-event horse and will be ideal preparation for those combinations looking to compete at the Paris Olympics in 2024. The CCI4*-S at BPIHT is a championship for eight and nine-year-old horses and is a fantastic opportunity to see up and coming equine talent. This class is often a steppingstone for younger riders too, moving up to 5*, so you really do get to see the future of eventing at the horse trials.

Having begun in 1990, previous winners of the top honours at Blenheim include some big names; William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell and Piggy March have all won the 4* (previously 3*) class multiple times.

Prior to 1st January 2019, 4* level was known as 3* and the top level of eventing was 4* rather than 5*. The FEI class codes were updated as part of British Eventing’s rule changes that year to align with other equestrian disciplines such as show jumping.

Out of 45 winners since 1991, William heads up the roll of honour with five wins and both Pippa and Piggy have won it four times each. Not only have these three won the class on numerous occasions, but they are also joined by Lucinda Fredericks, Andrew Nicholson, Kimberly Severson, Jonelle Price and Chris Burton as multiple winners. Although there’s plenty of names on that list, there are twenty other winners who haven’t managed to do it twice, let alone five times, which shows just how competitive BPIHT is, being perhaps the most prestigious 4* horse trials in the eventing calendar.

Top riders are excited about the 2023 event; Laura Collett MBE, Olympic Gold Medal winner at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and winner of the 2022 Badminton Horse Trials said “I am very pleased to hear someone has taken over the trials and excited to know it will be on the calendar again. It was a worrying time with the Jockey Club pulling out that we might lose a very significant event from the calendar hence why I’m pleased to hear it has been taken over. Blenheim is a fantastic event and one that has been a steppingstone for many future 5* winners, particularly from the 8/9yo Champs.”

EVENTING ISN’T THE ONLY ACTION ON THE SCHEDULE

The much-loved Eventer Challenge returns this year on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th September after a break with two classes – 90cm and 100cm. The event is open to Riding Club and Pony Club members who can enter a team. Depending on how many entries there are from teams, there may be the opportunity for individuals to enter. However, knowing how in demand this event has been in previous years and the overwhelmingly positive response when its return was announced, the organisers expect very good numbers when entries open in July.

Expect to see some ex-racehorses looking hot-to-trot in the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Southern Regional Dressage Championships taking place on the first two days. The Regional Championship series encompasses Affiliated and Unaffiliated competitions, for all RoR eligible horses. In order to qualify for these championships, riders are required to submit two dressage score sheets at the level required which must meet a minimum percentage, depending on the level.

Delightful Displays

Spectators at the Horse Trials won’t just be treated to equestrian action –there will be a jam-packed schedule of entertainment in the Blenheim Arena. Hawkeye Falconry will be undertaking action packed bird of prey displays, featuring Eagles, Falcons and Owls. The birds are flown to music, so this isn’t your usual bird display. The falconers say their highlight is flying multiple Peregrine falcons together, which is unique and very fast! They will also have a meet and greet area, where after each display, people will be invited over to see the birds up close, take photos and ask any questions they have. The team plan to have around 10 birds at the event, with each bird flying free in the arena. In between the shows, the birds will be having a well-deserved rest and

‘recharge’.

Shop Until You Drop

With over one hundred trade stands alrewady set to attend the Autumn event, spectators won’t be short of options to indulge in for a bit of retail therapy. In between all of the excitement of the eventing action, visitors can enjoy an array of equestrian and rural trade stands. The Stable Events trade stands team comment “Amongst the favourite equestrian stalwarts we like to mix it up with the more boutique brands so we can surprise and delight our visitors with something new alongside the familiar. We continuously review the trade stand applications and therefore can identify any gaps or where we have enough of one particular type of exhibitor. Then we do masses of research and as a team attend many shows as part of our process. We review stands and look to see if there are any brands which we could invite to Blenheim Palace who would fit with our visitor journey and work within the mix of the event. Seeing exhibitors at other events gives us an insight into how they present the stand and interact with customers which is so very important.”

Ticketing And Costs

The organisers want to make the event as accessible as possible for everyone. Not only is entry complimentary for under 12’s, this year parking is free with an option to upgrade to forward parking if you would like to pay to park closer to the entrance. Event Mobility will be available for visitors with mobility issues along with the buggy shuttle service to help people with their shopping from the trade-stands to the car park.