Superstar line up in store at Blenheim

In two weeks' time, hundreds of the world's top event riders will descend on Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire for the International Horse Trials – following hot on the heels of both the World Equestrian Games in Normandy this week and Burghley - keeping the sport of eventing very much in the headlines.

Superstar Line-up

Blenheim's superstar line up, across both the feature CCI3* event and the hugely popular British Championship for 8 and 9 year old horses (CIC3*), looks set to include:-

• Four of the Team GB riders from the World Equestrian Games: William Fox-Pitt (4 entries), Tina Cook (2 entries), Oliver Townend (2 entries) and Nicola Wilson (2 entries). William Fox-Pitt's entries include 2012 Blenheim winner, Sea Cookie.
• A host of other top British riders competing for the prestigious Blenheim titles: Among them, Pippa Funnell will be looking to stamp her authority as top Blenheim rider to date (with 4 Blenheim wins to her name already).  She has two entries including Second Supreme in the feature class and will be looking to make up for having had to withdraw her selected horse from Team GB for WEG.  Oxfordshire’s Izzy Taylor, who suffered the same fate, will also ride at Blenheim, having entered Orlando here. Francis Whittington and Easy Target - so often the unlucky runner up this year so far - will also be hungry for a big win at Blenheim.
• A stellar international cast from 15 other nations including: New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson, Jock Paget and Tim and Jonelle Price and Australia's Sam Griffiths and Paul Tapner.

A packed weekend programme of Cross Country and Show Jumping

Blenheim's packed weekend programme offers spectators two full days of high class competitive action - with Cross Country and Show Jumping (across the two international classes) taking place on both Saturday and Sunday:

• Saturday: will play host to the CCI3* Cross Country, followed by the 8 and 9 year old CIC3* Show Jumping

• Sunday: will see the lower placed CCI3* riders Show Jump, followed by the CIC3* Cross Country and finishing with the Show Jumping decider to see who takes the top Blenheim honours for 2014.

This year Blenheim's Cross Country track runs anti-clockwise and features a combination of new and ‘made-over’ fences placed in different locations to give the course a fresh look and pose new challenges for competitors.

Other Highlights

Other highlights of the four day event, which runs Thursday (11th) to Sunday (14th September) include:

• In a first for Blenheim - The Brightwells Elite Event Horse Auction (Friday 10th) which will see 30 of the best young event horses in the UK and Europe go 'under the hammer'.  Full details at www.blenheimhorse.co.uk/brightwells-elite-event-horse-auction
• A visit by HRH The Princess Royal (Friday) in her role as President of World Horse Welfare, Blenheim's official charity for 2014
• Fun events where riders can really 'let their hair down' including an Eventers versus Jockeys High Jump Challenge offering eventers the opportunity to avenge their defeat in Barbury's 'scurry' challenge; and a repeat of the popular Master’s Gate Jumping Challenge, when last year's crowds witnessed a side saddle high-jump-on-grass record and were treated to the sight of Michael Jackson's tanned torso!
• Displays and demonstrations including a Carl Hester Masterclass and visit from former racehorse-turned dressage Kauto Star and opportunities to learn from various equestrian experts in Blenheim's Learning Area
• Opportunities for amateur and grass roots riders to take part in various arena eventing classes and a Fun Ride on the Sunday which allows everyday riders the chance to follow in the hallowed hoofprints of the CCI competitors as it incorporates some of the actual course from the day before
• Over 200 trade stands which make up Blenheim's shopping village and a new cookery demonstration theatre where top local chefs (and riders too) will be sharing their culinary secrets

For full 2014 entry lists please click here.