The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (9th-12th September) has responded to bumper entries for their CIC*** class for eight and nine year old horses, by putting on a second day of dressage to accommodate them.

Unprecedented entries

Over 70 competitors could now start in this class with its dressage section now starting a day earlier and running across both Thursday (9th) and Friday (10th) September. Blenheim introduced the new CIC*** for eight an nine year old horses last year to offer younger horses the chance to compete at this prestigious venue, over a less technical and shorter cross country track, after the show jumping phase. The class was so popular that, at the suggestion of Ground Jury President Christoph Hess, it is now the British Championship for horses in that age group.

Top riders bring new stars

The new Blenheim Championship field includes a whole host of top riders putting their young horses through their paces - including Ruth Edge, William Fox-Pitt, Clayton Fredericks, Pippa Funnell, Zara Phillips, Paul Tapner, Andrew Nicholson, Mark Todd and Oliver Townend. Last year’s CIC winners were Piggy French and Flying Machine who progress to the CCI class this time.

“We are delighted with the response to the new Championship. It means spectators can enjoy even more dressage, along with the two days of cross country and show jumping already scheduled over the weekend (with the CCI*** on the Saturday and CIC*** on the Sunday). It endorses our decision to introduce the class and establishes Blenheim as a competition which consistently attracts the top riders and produces rising equine stars,“ explains Event Director, Mandy Hervieu.

Entries for CCI*** also soar

Entries for the feature CCI*** class for the older, more experienced horses, currently stand at well over 80 with a long list of stellar names, including four of the six riders on the British Eventing squad for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky – Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt, Piggy French and Pippa Funnell.

Dry run dressage

In addition, Blenheim spectators will have the bonus of being able to watch all the team members (on their team horses) perform a run-through of their WEG dressage test (Friday) and participate in a jumping clinic (Sunday).

“We are delighted to be offering the public an action-packed weekend and, extending the CIC, adds yet more to see and do. In addition to top class eventing, we have grass roots competitions, displays and demonstrations including an Eventers High Jump competition, childrens’ activities and of course lots of shops. Like many eventing venues we have experienced a remarkably dry summer but our ground management team are busy and we are sure the riders will appreciate all the effort we’ve put in to give as many people as possible the opportunity to compete here,” ends Hervieu.

Full details of the event can be found, and advanced discount tickets booked, at the Blenheim website until 3rd September; thereafter tickets will need to be bought on the gate.