Blenheim Horse Trials

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British rider and 1996 Blenheim-winner Mary King at the 2007 Blenheim Horse Trials

The Blenheim Horse Trials is an equestrian competition at the site of the Blenheim Palace, at Woodstock, England. The annual eventing competition attracts competitors from around the world. The horse trials is one of the biggest equine shows in Britain, and draws crowds from across the country.

Blenheim began in 1990, after the three-day event held at Chatsworth was ended. The venue has since become popular both for national and international events, beginning in 1994 with the FEI European Young Rider Championships.

In 2003, Blenheim hosted the Asia-Pacific Championships as a qualifier for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Sixteen nations were represented and several European, World, and Olympic Champions competed. The winner, Pippa Funnell, became the first rider to win three times at the venue. Pippa Funnell won yet again at the 2004 Blenheim Horse Trials, on her stallion, Viceroy.

In 2005, Blemheim hosted its first FEI European Eventing Championship.

[edit] Past Winners of Blenheim

1990 Lucinda Murray (now Mrs Fredericks)/Just Jeremy (GBR)
1991 Andrew Nicholson/Park Grove (NZL)
1992 Rodney Powell/Limmy’s Comet (GBR)
1993 Pippa Nolan (now Mrs Funnell)/Metronome (GBR)
1994 Bruce Davidson/Squelch (USA)
- Young Rider European Champion: Nina Melkonian/Westphalia/GER
- Young Rider European Championships Team: GBR
1995 Pippa Funnell/Bits And Pieces (GBR)
1996 Mary King/King Solomon lll (GBR)
1997 Paddy Muir/Archie Brown (GBR)
1998 Polly Clark (now Mrs Stockton)/Westlord (GBR)
1999 Franck Bourny/Mallard’s Treat (FRA)
2000 William Fox-Pitt/Stunning (also 2nd on Tamarillo (horse)) (GBR)
2001 Kimberly Vinoski (now Ms Severson)/Winsome Adante (USA)
2002 Lucinda Fredericks/Headley Britannia (AUS)
2003 Pippa Funnell/Jurassic Rising (GBR) (also 3rd on Viceroy ll)
- Asia-Pacific Champion: Phillip Dutton/Nova Top (AUS)
- Asia-Pacific Winning Team: Australia
2004 Pippa Funnell/Viceroy II
2005 European Eventing Championships
- Zara Phillips and Toytown (GBR) Individual Gold
- Great Britain Team Gold
2006 Daisy Dick/Sprinkbok IV
2007 Chris King/The Secret Weapon