Celebrating 35 years in 2025, this prestigious event began in 1990 with just one class – what we know now as the CCI4*-L – which was won by Lucinda Murray (now Fredericks) on Just Jeremy. Held every year in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, this event has become an important fixture in the British Eventing calendar with one of the most glorious backdrops in the country.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and is steeped in over 300 years of history. The ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds provide the perfect setting and the opportunity for horses and riders to go through the water crossing by the Lion Bridge is particularly unique and special for riders and spectators alike.

Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (BPIHT) quickly gained a reputation for its world-class cross-country course and undulating terrain. Over the years, the event has grown into one of the leading International horse trials in the equestrian calendar and attracts top-class riders from around the world, as well as thousands of spectators each year.

One of the unique things about the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials compared to other events of the same level, is that it runs both a ‘short’ and ‘long’ format class, meaning that spectators who are particularly excited by the jumping phases are spoilt for choice, with showjumping and cross-country taking place on both Saturday and Sunday of the event. The CCI4*-L (long format) class will this year be the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship. This class sees competitors take to the white boards for dressage on Thursday and Friday, tackle the Captain Mark Phillips designed cross-country course on Saturday and then finish the weekend off in the main arena, perfectly placed in front of the Palace, for showjumping. Similarly, the CCI4*-S (short format) 8 & 9 year old class take on the dressage on Thursday and Friday, but they will showjump on Saturday and go cross-country on Sunday.

It wasn’t until 2009 that the popular CCI4*-S 8 & 9 year-old class was added to the event, with the first winner being Piggy French (now March) and Flying Machine.

Since the inception of this young horse class, six previous winners have gone on to win at 5* level including Ballaghmor Class and Lordships Graffalo, giving spectators the chance to see the horses of the future. The class provides a platform like no other to build experience for 8 & 9 year old horses; a championship atmosphere, demanding cross-country course and prestigious history.

Many top horses have competed and won at Blenheim, including Olympic gold medallists. 27% of the horses who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics had competed at the horse trials, including all three of the horses who were on the podium; fischerChipmunk, Shadow Man and London 52, who won the 8 & 9 year olds in 2018 with Laura Collett. Talking of world class, we can’t forget the riders who have had spectacular performances at Blenheim. Pippa Funnell and Piggy March sit in joint second place on the roll of honour for total wins at the event, with four wins each. They sit behind just one other rider…

At Blenheim, William Fox-Pitt is heralded as the greatest champion to date, with five victories to his name, all on different horses. It began in 2000 where he took the top spot with Stunning as well as second on Tamarillo and then won the class again in 2010 on Parklane Hawk and in 2012 with Seacookie. Oslo was his first ride to become the 8 & 9 year old Champion in 2011 and then he did it again with Fernhill Pimms in 2013.

It’s interesting to note the wins by International Federation too, given the addition of the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship to the event this year. GBR will not just be hoping that they can be crowned European Champions as they were in 2005, when the Europeans were last at Blenheim, they will also be going for their 30th win at Blenheim this year. In terms of European contenders, Germany and France are next in line with three and one win respectively at Blenheim.

Find out more about the history of the FEI Eventing European Championships in our next blog!