Blenheim Horse Trials 2017: thrills, spills… and don’t forget the champagne

Madeleine Silver's avatar
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Published In Features
ICHAK-DE-MONFIRAK_Blenheim_PN17_98966.jpg
ICHAK DE MONFIRAK in the cross country phase of the CIC*** 8/9 YO during the Ssangyong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials near Oxford in Oxfordshire, UK between 17th September 2017
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Lap of honour backdrops don’t get much better than this: America’s Kimberly Severson soaks up the atmosphere aboard Cooley Cross Border
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Lap of honour backdrops don’t get much better than this: America’s Kimberly Severson soaks up the atmosphere aboard Cooley Cross Border

Time for a drink? Izzy Taylor celebrates her Event Rider Masters’ victory in style
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Time for a drink? Izzy Taylor celebrates her Event Rider Masters’ victory in style

Everything OK up there? Paul Tapner and Mark Todd, who finished third in the Event Rider Masters series overall for 2017, catch up
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Everything OK up there? Paul Tapner and Mark Todd, who finished third in the Event Rider Masters series overall for 2017, catch up

No problems here: America’s Hannah Sue Burnett on her way to 12th place in the CCI3* aboard R F Demeter
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

No problems here: America’s Hannah Sue Burnett on her way to 12th place in the CCI3* aboard R F Demeter

The ultimate viewing spot? Spectators get a glimpse of Lauren Shannon in action from the bridge
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The ultimate viewing spot? Spectators get a glimpse of Lauren Shannon in action from the bridge

Something missing: Ichak De Monfirak makes a break for it in the CIC3*
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Something missing: Ichak De Monfirak makes a break for it in the CIC3*

Olivia Craddock’s Billy Liffy wonders what all these hazardous flowerbeds are for — but goes on to finish 28th in the CCI3*
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Olivia Craddock’s Billy Liffy wonders what all these hazardous flowerbeds are for — but goes on to finish 28th in the CCI3*

Towels at the ready? Emily King holds on tight to avoid a dunking with Dargun
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Towels at the ready? Emily King holds on tight to avoid a dunking with Dargun

Yikes! William Fox-Pitt and Barrichello survive a hairy moment in the CIC3*
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Yikes! William Fox-Pitt and Barrichello survive a hairy moment in the CIC3*

New mum Jonelle Price and Classic Moet back on flying form in the Event Rider Masters
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

New mum Jonelle Price and Classic Moet back on flying form in the Event Rider Masters

Izzy Taylor (GBR) riding BE TOUCHABLE during the Ssangyong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials near Oxford in Oxfordshire, UK between 16th September 2017 Making waves: an unstoppable Izzy Taylor clinches the final leg of the Event Rider Masters in style
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Izzy Taylor (GBR) riding BE TOUCHABLE during the Ssangyong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials near Oxford in Oxfordshire, UK between 16th September 2017 Making waves: an unstoppable Izzy Taylor clinches the final leg of the Event Rider Masters in style

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Madeleine Silver
Madeleine Silver
Former features editor

A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.