H&H dispatched reigning European individual silver medallist Kitty King to Oxfordshire to check out Mark Phillips’ track. You can read all Kitty’s thoughts in this Thursday’s magazine (dated 11 September). Meanwhile, read on for a look at some photos of the course.
Blenheim European Championships cross-country course: first look
Fence one, the Agria Flowers, is an inviting spread to get horses and riders into the rhythm.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Kitty and Mark Phillips discuss fence two, the RDA Log, where there are two options.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Fence 6abc, The Suregrow Dew Pond, is the first combination and the first water on course.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Fence seven is the Horse & Rider Picnic Table.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Fences 12 and 13 are called the Palace Treasure Chest and Jewellery Box and consist of box fences on a curving line.
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Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
The Evoke Lodge at fence 14.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
This angled second element of The Raging Bull Rollercoaster at fence 15b will be filled with brush.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Stretch Kitty, stretch! This is The Ha Ha Oxer at fence 16.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Kitty and Mark look down at the BE Support Trust Healing Garden and Subaru Splash (fences 17abc and 18ab). The long water crossing is one of the iconic features of Blenheim Horse Trials.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Fence 20abc is the GFS Saddles Water.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
The BE Triple Bar at fence 21.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Mark lines Kitty up for the FEI Mounds (fence 22ab).
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
The Lemieux Wedge at fence 23ab will have domed brush on it.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Nearing the end of the course, Mark and Kitty take a look at The Brookfield Bullfinch (fence 28abc) combination.
Blenheim Palace, Captan Mark Philips, Jumps, Water Jump, Course Walk, Kitty,
(Image credit: Richard Butcher)
Pictures of the Blenheim European Championships cross-country course by Richard Butcher
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
