Blenheim Horse Trials

British rider and 1996 Blenheim-winner Mary King at the 2007 Blenheim Horse Trials

The Agria Blenheim Horse Trials is an annual international three-day event held in the park of Blenheim Palace, at Woodstock, England. It is rated CCI*** (the second highest level of eventing).

Blenheim began in 1990, after the three-day event held at Chatsworth was ended. The venue has since become popular both for national and international events, beginning in 1994 with the FEI European Young Rider Championships.

In 2003, Blenheim hosted the Asia-Pacific Championships as a qualifier for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Sixteen nations were represented and several European, World, and Olympic Champions competed. The winner, Pippa Funnell, became the first rider to win three times at the venue. Pippa Funnell won yet again at the 2004 Blenheim Horse Trials, on her stallion, Viceroy.

In 2005, Blenheim hosted the European Eventing Championship.

Blenheim also hosts an 8 and 9 year old CIC*** class, which now incorporates the British 8 and 9 year old National Championship.

Blenheim is considered a world class international equestrian event, featuring, in addition to the showcase, eventing classes, competitions and rides alongside shops, food outlets, bars and other entertainment.

For the first time in 2021, the event was organised by The Jockey Club, the body that runs the Cheltenham Festival, the Epsom Derby and the Aintree Grand National. Since 2023 the Event is organised by Stable Events LTD, who are also the organisers of The Game Fair.[citation needed]

Past Winners of Blenheim

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[1]

Casualties and incidents

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  • 1997: Sam Moore (IRL) died when his horse Dara Rock somersaulted over top of him at fence 19 on the cross-country course. He died on impact.[2]
  • 1998: McCadam, ridden by Chris Hall (GBR) collapsed and died while competing on cross-country.[3]
  • 2017: An event volunteer posing as a medic was charged with fraud after she allegedly injected drugs into spectators at the event.[4] She was later found guilty and jailed.[5]
  • 2022: Equador III, ridden by Thomas Martin (GBR) died after experiencing a rotational fall and injuring a leg.[6]
  • 2022:Fanta Boy, ridden by George Goss passed away after completing the cross country course.[6]
  • 2022:Samantha Lissington (NZL) was hospitalized after she and her mount Ricker Ridge Ricochet fell at fence 12B on cross country. The mare was euthanized.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Roll of Honor | Past Blenheim Horse Trials Winners".
  2. ^ "Derry horse trials rider in fatal accident". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Horse dies at international horse trials". Oxford Mail. 14 September 1998. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  4. ^ Harley, Nicola (29 September 2017). "Blenheim horse trials volunteer charged with fraud after allegedly posing as nurse and injecting spectator with drugs". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Woman who impersonated medic at Blenheim horse trials jailed". BBC News. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Berendt, Tilly. "Three Horses Pass Away at Blenheim International - Eventing Nation - Three-Day Eventing News, Results, Videos, and Commentary". eventingnation.com. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
[edit]
  • Official Blenheim Horse Trials Website [1]
  • British Eventing Website [2]
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