Big crowds are back, dressage leaders prevail and a nasty wasp sting: 8 stories you need to read from Saturday’s action at Blenheim

Today (Saturday, 18 September) featured the cross-country phase for the CCI4*-L and the showjumping phase of the CCI4*-S at Blenheim Horse Trials. Here are the highlights from the day’s action…

The CCI4*-L dressage leader Yasmin Ingham remains at the head of affairs on the eve of the final showjumping phase, riding Banzai Du Loir.

• Read how Yasmin managed the pressure of leading from the front

Ros Canter kept the pressure on the top two, Yasmin Ingham and Piggy March with a copybook round.

• Ros Canter reveals how Lordships Graffalo “didn’t bat an eyelid” en route to third place

Emily King put in the best of the early rounds on Valmy Biats as the first rider to finish clear inside the time, securing fourth spot.

• Here’s how Emily rode a perfectly judged round

The crowds of at least 20,000 were the biggest these horses had seen for two years and the riders were boosted by the cheering.

• Find out the effect of the return of spectators on how the course rode

The showjumping in the CCI4*-S for eight and nine-year-old horses took place in the foggy early morning, with Ros Canter maintaining her dressage lead on Izilot DHI on his first attempt at advanced.

• Hear what Ros has to say about tackling the cross-country phase for the young horses

A 21-year-old rider overcame adversity to record an emotional cross-country clear in the CCI4*-L.

• Find out why Holly Needham nearly didn’t make it to the startbox

H&H took a look at the Eventing Scores statistics and crunched the numbers on a high-octane cross-country day in the CCI4*-L

• Get the low-down on how many combinations jumped clear, the impact of penalties for activating frangible devices and which fences caused the most problems

Don’t miss Downton Abbey star and eventing owner Michael Fox talking about his wonderful horse, SRS Kan Do (provisional 17th place, after cross-country in the CCI4*-L) and how he would love to combine his passion for riding and acting career

• Listen to Michael chat about the moment he realised “George” was special and why Downton Abbey fans can be excited for the film sequel

And finally, Ireland’s Susie Berry gave an emotional interview after her phenomenal cross-country clear aboard John The Bull. Watch Susie chat (below) about how she has dealt with the mental challenges of returning from injury and just what a strong cross-country performance at Blenheim Horse Trials means to her…

Video courtesy of Lloyd Bell/The Jockey Club

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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.