BLENHEIM PALACE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials takes place from the 16-19 September 2021 and is known as a ‘three-day-event’, even though the actual competition is run over four days! This is because the event is made up of three phases: dressage, cross-country and show jumping, with the dressage phase taking place over the first two days.
Britain leads the way in the sport of eventing with many of the world’s very best riders being British nationals. The UK is also home to a multitude of international riders who take advantage of the superb training facilities and great events that the country has to offer.
As the best four star event in the world, Blenheim has seen many horses win or achieve top results in both of its classes who have gone on to five star, European Championship, World Championship and Olympic success such as Parklane Hawk, NZB Land Vision, Headley Britannia, Viceroy, Toytown, Quimbo, Fenyas Elegance and DHI Topper W – to name just a few!
The start of the competition is on a Wednesday afternoon with the first official horse inspection in front of the Ground Jury and the Veterinary Delegate. This is followed by dressage, cross-country, and show jumping over the following four days.
There are two main classes held at Blenheim over the four days of the event – the showcase CCI4* Long Format and a CCI4* Short Format for 8 & 9-year-old horses. The CCI4* Short Format is for 8 and 9 year old horses and has been specifically developed for younger horses to complete the dressage test followed by showjumping then cross-country. The format for the CCI4*-Long class, for older and more experienced horses, starts with dressage, followed by a longer and more technically demanding cross-country phase, which provides a more exacting test and finishes with the showjumping.
The Ground Jury have ultimate responsibility for judging all three phases of the competition. The Veterinary Delegate is responsible for ensuring that FEI regulations are adhered to and that horses are fit and able to complete all phases of the competition.
The start of the competition is on a Wednesday afternoon with the first official horse inspection in front of the Ground Jury and the Veterinary Delegate. This is followed by dressage, cross-country, and show jumping over the following four days.
There are two main classes held at Blenheim over the four days of the event – the showcase CCI4* Long Format and a CCI4* Short Format for 8 & 9-year-old horses. The CCI4* Short Format is for 8 and 9 year old horses and has been specifically developed for younger horses to complete the dressage test followed by showjumping then cross-country. The format for the CCI4*-Long class, for older and more experienced horses, starts with dressage, followed by a longer and more technically demanding cross-country phase, which provides a more exacting test and finishes with the showjumping.
The Ground Jury have ultimate responsibility for judging all three phases of the competition. The Veterinary Delegate is responsible for ensuring that FEI regulations are adhered to and that horses are fit and able to complete all phases of the competition.
DRESSAGE
Dressage is the first phase of the competition, in which a series of pre-set movements are judged subjectively. It takes place all day on Thursday and Friday for both the CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S for 8 & 9 year old horse classes. The CCI4*-L is in the main Marlborough Arena, set against the magnificent backdrop of Blenheim Palace. The CCI4*-S takes place in the Churchill Arena.
CROSS-COUNTRY
The cross-country phase is for many the most exciting part of the whole competition. Riders take on the challenge of big solid fences and the unique water complex across the River Glyme. The timed courses run around the beautiful Blenheim parkland, designed by Capability Brown and are renowed for being fast but testing. The cross-country courses at Blenheim are designed by David Evans and built by David’s team – a team which is internationally acclaimed for their course building and design skills. The CCI4*-L cross-country phase runs on Saturday. The CCI4*-S for 8 & 9 year old horses run on Sunday.
SHOW JUMPING
All show jumping takes place in the main Marlborough Arena in front of Blenheim Palace. The CCI4*-S for 8 & 9 year old horses show jump on Saturday morning as the second part of their test. This is because it is less challenging for horses to show jump before going cross-country. For the CCI4*-L class, show jumping is on Sunday afternoon and runs in reverse order of merit.
KEY TIMINGS
View the key opening timings below for each day of the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials 2021.
THURSDAY
Car parks open: 7:30am
Gates open: 8am
Shopping Village: 9am – 6pm
CC14*-L Dressage: 9am – 5pm
CCI4*-S Dressage: 10:30am – 4:30pm
ROR Showing: 10:45am – 4:45pm
ROR Dressage: 10:45am – 6pm
Bars close: 6pm
Site closes: 6:30pm
After Hours live: 6:30pm
FRIDAY
Car parks open: 7:30am
Gates open: 8am
Shopping Village: 9am – 6pm
CC14*-L Dressage: 9am – 5pm
CCI4*-S Dressage: 10:30am – 4:30pm
ROR Dressage: 10:45am – 6pm
Bars close: 6pm
Site closes: 6:30pm
After Hours live: 6:30pm
SATURDAY
Car parks open: 7am
Gates open: 7:30am
CCI4*-S Show Jumping: 8am – 10:30am
Shopping Village opens: 9am
View the Family Fun entertainment
CCI4*- L Cross Country: 11am – 6:30pm
Bars close: 6pm
Site closes: 7pm
After Hours live: 7:30pm
SUNDAY
Car parks open: 7am
Gates open: 7:30am
Shopping Village: 9am – 6pm
View the Family Fun entertainment
CCI4* – L Show Jumping: 11am – 3:30pm
CCI4*-S Cross Country: 11:30am – 2pm
CCI4*-S Prize Giving: 4:15pm
CCI4*-L Prize Giving: 4:30pm
After Hours live: 5:30pm
Bars close: 6pm
Site closes: 6:30pm
THURSDAY
Car parks open: 7:30am
Gates open: 8am
Shopping Village: 9am – 6pm
CC14*-L Dressage: 9am – 5pm
CCI4*-S Dressage: 10:30am – 4:30pm
ROR Showing: 10:45am – 4:45pm
ROR Dressage: 10:45am – 6pm
Bars close: 6pm
Site closes: 6:30pm
After Hours live: 6:30pm
FRIDAY
Car parks open: 7:30am
Gates open: 8am
Shopping Village: 9am – 6pm
CC14*-L Dressage: 9am – 5pm
CCI4*-S Dressage: 10:30am – 4:30pm
ROR Dressage: 10:45am – 6pm
Bars close: 6pm
Site closes: 6:30pm
After Hours live: 6:30pm
SATURDAY
Car parks open: 7am
Gates open: 7:30am
CCI4*-S Show Jumping: 8am – 10:30am
Shopping Village opens: 9am
View the Family Fun entertainment
CCI4*- L Cross Country: 11am – 6:30pm
Bars close: 6pm
Site closes: 7pm
After Hours live: 7:30pm
SUNDAY
Car parks open: 7am
Gates open: 7:30am
Shopping Village: 9am – 6pm
View the Family Fun entertainment
CCI4* – L Show Jumping: 11am – 3:30pm
CCI4*-S Cross Country: 11:30am – 2pm
CCI4*-S Prize Giving: 4:15pm
CCI4*-L Prize Giving: 4:30pm
After Hours live: 5:30pm
Bars close: 6pm
Site closes: 6:30pm
FOOD & DRINK
Long gone are the days when visitors to outdoor events had to be satisfied with an unappetizing burger and chips and instant coffee. The quality of outdoor catering has improved greatly in recent times, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this.
You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy at the event, however, you are restricted from taking your food into the Palace Pavilion. There are rubbish disposal facilities located all around the grounds, so please do use these when you are finished with your picnics so that litter is kept to a minimum.
You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy at the event, however, you are restricted from taking your food into the Palace Pavilion. There are rubbish disposal facilities located all around the grounds, so please do use these when you are finished with your picnics so that litter is kept to a minimum.
SHOPPING
With a broad variety of trade stands in the shopping village at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, none of which you would find on the average high street, it is the perfect chance to browse for a bargain – for you, your house, your horse or your dog. You may come back with more than you imagined!
Ranging from the everyday horse and hound essentials to country tailors, there is an extensive array of shops offering high-quality goods, rural crafts, homeware, clothing, and every gift idea under the sun – perfect for some personal retail therapy or for starting your Christmas shopping!
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING - FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER ONLY
On Friday only, you can enter the Shopping Village for FREE from 4pm – 6pm.
Ranging from the everyday horse and hound essentials to country tailors, there is an extensive array of shops offering high-quality goods, rural crafts, homeware, clothing, and every gift idea under the sun – perfect for some personal retail therapy or for starting your Christmas shopping!
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING - FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER ONLY
On Friday only, you can enter the Shopping Village for FREE from 4pm – 6pm.
