Founded in 1990, the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is a prestigious equestrian event held annually at Blenheim Palace. The Event takes place over four days in September, and attracts top riders and horses from around the World to compete in FEI 4* Competitions. Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials has been awarded the FEI Eventing European Championships for the 2025 competition.

CCI4*-S 8&9yo

The CCI4*-S is a prestigious event for eight and nine-year-olds, offering spectators a chance to witness the equine stars of the future. This esteemed eventing competition requires skill and courage from both horse and rider. Featuring dressage, show jumping, and cross-country phases, it serves as a key stepping stone to the elite CCI5* level, drawing top equestrian talent and captivating spectators with its intensity and athleticism.

What Is Eventing?

Eventing is the ultimate equestrian challenge comprised of dressage, show jumping and cross country. It can be likened to a triathlon, with horses and riders demonstrating a range of skills across the three disciplines. To compete successfully in eventing combinations must show harmony and rhythm in the dressage, balance and precision in the show jumping and accuracy and bravery in the cross country phase. The combination with the lowest penalty score at the end of the event is the winner. (Source: British Eventing)

Dressage:

Always the first phase of the event, dressage requires a horse and rider to perform a series of set movements, each scored out of 10 by a judge. These Scores are combined to produce a penalty score.

The concept of dressage is to produce an obedient, supple and responsive test which essentially originates from the military -the better schooled your horse, the better he would be in battle. However, this was also combined with a desire by the nobility to be seen ‘about town’ on magnificent steeds with exaggerated movement which clearly demonstrated their ability as horsemen. And so ‘dressage’ was born. (Source: British Dressage)

Cross Country:

This is a timed phase that challenges the horse and rider to navigate a course with natural and man-made obstacles, including jumps, ditches, and water. It tests the speed, endurance, and jumping ability of the horse, as well as the rider’s courage and skill. (Source: British Equestrian)

Showjumping:

Show jumping is the final phase of horse trials, where horse and rider navigate a series of fences within an arena. This phase tests the horse’s agility and the rider’s precision. Penalties are incurred for knocking down fences, refusals, and exceeding the time limit. (Source: British Equestrian)