An angelic stallion, an accident-prone chestnut mare and an amateur poised to lift a major title: six stories you must read from Blenheim today

Blenheim Horse Trials is in full swing, with the CCI4*-L cross-country completed today, and the showjumping for the eight- and nine-year-olds CCI4*-S. Here is a round-up of the key stories you won’t want to miss from Saturday, 17 September

With just one phase left to go, the two dressage leaders at Blenheim Horse Trials held on to the top spots after the CCI4*-L cross-country and CCI4*-S showjumping. However, there were plenty of shake-ups on the leaderboard in both classes, before the CCI4*-L contenders showjump tomorrow (Sunday, 18 September) and the eight- and nine-year-olds tackle the CCI4*-S cross-country.

A self-confessed amateur rider has retained her lead in the CCI4*-L in the Blenheim Horse Trials cross-country, while Sarah Bullimore’s decision to reroute Corouet from Burghley paid off as they lie third overnight.

• What was Malin Hansen-Hotopp’s psychological trick to make the optimum time?

Gemma Stevens (née Tattersall) was on top form, piloting two horses clear inside the time, with Jalapeno holding second spot

• Find out more about Gemma’s accident-prone chestnut mare – and how the rest of the Brits fared

Some of the pathfinders made the course look straightforward, but the penalties racked up by the end of the day.

• How did the early riders assess the CCI4*-L course after completing?

Course-designer David Evans had added different questions from the 2021 track.

• What were the reactions to the new water complex?

And in the showjumping phase of the CCI4*-S for young horses… the Burghley winner Piggy March is eyeing up a second big title this month – riding an eight-year-old stallion.

• Find out why Piggy wishes there could be more horses like her two-phase leader

And a beautiful buckskin gelding caught the eye for matching the honeyed stone of Blenheim Palace.

• Why Grande By Design lives for the big events – and a naughty start to his partnership with Emma Manton

You may also enjoy reading…

Best of British: on-form Gemma Stevens and ‘wonderful’ Chilli Morning daughter deliver dazzling Blenheim cross-country round

Blenheim first-timer retains lead with cross-country masterclass at midway stage as regrouping pays off for Brits

Piggy March inches closer to Blenheim CCI4*-S victory with tiny ‘angelic’ stallion

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Martha Terry

H&H features editor

Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on dogs of all shapes and sizes. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs, one a street dog from Gambia who was abandoned at three weeks old. Now, her constant companion, whether by her feet at her desk or walking cross-country courses, is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.