Every September, the Blenheim Palace comes alive as it hosts the Blenheim Horse Trials which draws talented riders from all over the world. This year, the equestrian event commenced on September 19 and concluded on September 22, with classic British weather conditions. As the event neared its climax, the heavens opened up for the final phase. Let’s take a look at how both classes—CCI4* L and CCI4* S—unfolded.
CCI4* L: A Very ‘Happy’ Race for Tim Price
After clinching titles like Burghley, Pau and Luhmuhlen five-stars, the New Zealand Olympian, Tim Price, also added the Blenheim Horse Trials title to his name. The last phase of the CCI4* L class saw the weather take a wet turn at Oxfordshire, but the soaked setting didn’t deter Tim and his horse, Happy Boy, whose flawless performance won hearts.
Well, this was not the first time Happy Boy emerged victorious in rainy weather as he had similarly won the World Championship for Young Horses at Le Lion d’Angers, France.
“I held that in the back of my mind as we were warming up. I knew that he was athletic and that he was capable of it, and he’s a fighter. This has been fantastic. You don’t take these days for granted,” said a happy Tim after winning.
Runner-up Daisy Berkeley from Great Britain and her horse Diese du Figuier also displayed wonderful horsemanship. “I’m thrilled with this horse. He’s so beautiful and athletic. I could hardly see through the rain and I was suddenly slipping in the saddle, but I just told myself to ride him like a good horse. He was superb, as he has been in all three phases,” she mentioned after the event.
The German Jérôme Robiné, astride Black Ice, sealed the third position after making an incredible Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials debut.
Here are the first 10 positions of the Blenheim Horse Trials 2024 CCI4* L class:
| Pos | Horse | Rider | Country | Pts | Total Penalties |
| 1 | HAPPY BOY | Mr Tim Price | New Zealand | 110 | 27.00 |
| 2 | DIESE DU FIGUIER | Mrs Daisy Berkeley | Great Britain | 100 | 32.70 |
| 3 | BLACK ICE | Mr Jérôme Robiné | Germany | 90 | 33.20 |
| 4 | SOMMERSBY | Miss Jenny Caras | USA | 80 | 34.60 |
| 5 | THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA | Mr Calvin Böckmann | Germany | 70 | 38.40 |
| 6 | ARDEO PREMIER | Mr Alexander Bragg | Great Britain | 60 | 39.50 |
| 7 | ISA | Mr Tom McEwen | Great Britain | 50 | 40.50 |
| 8 | DENIM | Mr Phillip Dutton | USA | 40 | 41.50 |
| 9 | COOLEY CARNIVAL LADY | Miss Charlotte Agnew | Great Britain | 40 | 41.70 |
| 10 | HESTER | Miss Laura Collett | Great Britain | 40 | 41.80 |
CCI4* S: Padraig McCarthy’s Close Win
In the CCI4* S class, Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy achieved an astonishing victory astride MGH Zabaione, finishing with a mere 0.4 cross-country time penalty. The victorious Padraig said, “He’s the most complete event horse I’ve ever ridden. He has won at every level.”
Padraig edged out his Irish comrade Georgie Goss and her horse Kojak, who claimed the runner-up position, while Great Britain’s Caroline Harris and her horse Cooley Mosstown nailed the third place.
Here are the first 10 positions of the Blenheim Horse Trials 2024 CCI4* S class:
| Pos | Horse | Rider | Country | Pts | Total Penalties |
| 1 | MGH ZABAIONE | Mr Padraig Mccarthy | Ireland | 32 | 36.10 |
| 2 | KOJAK | Mrs Georgie Goss | Ireland | 29 | 36.50 |
| 3 | COOLEY MOSSTOWN | Miss Caroline Harris | Great Britain | 26 | 36.90 |
| 4 | DASSETT ARTHALENT | Mrs. Piggy March | Great Britain | 23 | 37.10 |
| 5 | BLOOMFIELD MANUSCRIPT | Mr Sam Ecroyd | Great Britain | 20 | 38.40 |
| 6 | FULL MONTY DE LACENSE | Mrs Jonelle Price | New Zealand | 17 | 40.00 |
| 7 | CBI ALDO | Mrs Caroline Powell | New Zealand | 14 | 40.20 |
| 8 | JOOPITER | Miss Tayla Mason | New Zealand | 12 | 41.10 |
| 9 | SBH BIG WALL | Miss Izzy Taylor | Great Britain | 10 | 41.20 |
| 10 | CORIMIRO | Mrs Sarah Bullimore | Great Britain | 8 | 41.90 |
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