Eventers reign supreme in Blenheim's Jockeys versus Eventers High Jump

The Eventers reigned supreme in Blenheim’s High Jump competition – part of yesterday’s action at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, 11th – 14th September.

Representing the National Hunt Jockeys were:  retired seven times National Hunt Champion jockey, John Francome, Sam Twiston-Davies, Andrew Tinkler and Peter Mason.   The Eventers were represented by:  supermodel, Edie Campbell; Julie Tew, Austin O’Connor and Jo Rimmer.

The winner of the competition is the one to jump the highest, but riders who have faults can buy another ‘life’ by removing an item of clothing.

All went clear in the first round, although Sam Twiston-Davies wasn't on the most natural of jumpers and did look a little hairy from the start.  Round Two and the fence was raised to 1.20m.  Sam, still looking a bit hairy, was the first to fault and therefore the first to remove an item of clothing.

Round three and the competitors faced a daunting 1.40m.  The second of the jockeys, Andrew Tinkler, faulted so following the rules - off came a sweater; whilst Sam scraped into the next round.

Supermodel, Edie Campbell, who recently won the Charity Horse Race at Glorius Goodwood, added a bit of glamour to the occasion and cleared the height effortlessly, although she said afterwards, ‘I’m not very confident - pretty scared actually and thought this would be more fun than London fashion week.’

John Francome retired in the fourth round, 1.50m proving too vast for his little bay horse.  A lovely clear for Irish eventer Austin O’Connor followed by another clear from Julie Tew. Unfortunately the jockeys were out of luck: Andrew had a stop, and Sam - trying the speed approach carried on and through the jump. That left just Peter Mason to fly the flag for the jockeys.

Having retired from the competition John Francome said ‘I think it’s time to tweak the fence up a bit and stretch it out and I think Sam’s horse is worth at least £5,000 more because it will never stop again!’

All four eventer’s cleared 1.65m in the fifth round, although Jo Rimmer decided to retire at this point.  Point to Point Jockey Peter Mason put in a brave effort but lost his shirt in the process!

Only eventers remained as the competition entered the sixth round and the jump was raised to 1.70m.  Austin had a pole down and lost his shirt, but rallied round and cleared the height on his second attempt. Julie produced another lovely clear and Edie once again disappointed the male section of the audience by jumping clear and keeping all her clothes on.

Now standing at a formidable 1.80m, Austin’s horse failed to pick up his back legs and had the fence down, taking the decision to retire.  Edie had a pole and lost a couple of layers and said ‘I wish I’d gone to fashion week now’ a second attempt was still unsuccessful.  But it was another beautiful clear for Julie Tew, to take Blenheim’s High Jump crown for 2014.