One horse was spun and three others were held in a lengthy final CCI4*-L trot-up at Blenheim Horse Trials, with 76 horses going through to the showjumping.
A total of 77 horses were presented to the ground jury of Seppo Laine, Judy Hancock and Jane Tolley, and FEI veterinary delegate Liam Kearns, on a chilly autumnal morning in front of Blenheim Palace.
MGH Maybe A Mission, ridden by Tom Rowland owned by Robin Patrick, was sent to the holding box, but was not accepted on re-inspection. The 12-year-old Irish sport horse gelding was in 37th place overnight on a score of 40.2, following a dressage of 29 and a cross-country jumping clear with 11.2 time penalties.
In all, four horses were sent to the holding box – including MGH Maybe A Mission. John The Bull, ridden by Ireland’s Susie Berry and owned by Helen Caton, was the highest-placed of these. The 10-year-old Luidam son is in provisional fifth after cross-country on a score of 27.9.
Tom and Susie re-presented their horses one after another. The crowd’s disappointment for Tom turned to relief for Susie in what was an anxious few minutes for connections.
Happy Days, one of Izzy Taylor’s two rides in the CCI4*-L, and Ballycoog Guinness, ridden by Matthew Heath, were also sent to the holding box.
The nine-year-old British-bred gelding Happy Days, owned by Alex Colquhoun, Lavinia Taylor and Caroline Wilson, is in provisional 30th after cross-country. He was asked to trot twice on re-presentation, before the ground jury gave him the nod of approval.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Ballycoog Guinness, one of Matthew’s three CCI4*-L rides at Blenheim, is in 40th overnight. The 10-year-old Irish sport horse gelding was waved through on re-inspection.
Katherine Coleman’s ride Monbeg Senna, owned by Kalai LLC, was among those looking fresh on the final morning, squealing at the ground jury before springing down the run-way.
Yasmin Ingham’s overnight leader, Banzai Du Loir, owned by by Sue Davies and Janette Chin, passed without issue.
Piggy March, who sailed through with her two contenders (Brookfield Quality, provisional second and Sportsfield Top Notch provisional sixth), also trotted up Harry Meade’s ride Cavalier Crystal. Harry took a tumble from his other CCI4*-L ride, Red Kite, on the cross-country, so has just the one horse through to showjump today.
There were three overnight withdrawals ahead of the final horse inspection, meaning a final field of 76 combinations now go forward to the showjumping.
The other two pre-final trot-up withdrawals are Wills Oakden with MacGregors Cooley (18th after cross-country) and Charlotte Jenkins’ ride Cuffesgrange ARS Royale (provisional 46th).
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
