Horse trials attract 50,000 (From Witney Gazette)

Horse trials attract 50,000

3:05pm Monday 4th September 2006 in Witney By Samantha Simpson

A THRILLING cross country chase, spectacular show-jumping and dressage by some of the world's best riders attracted about 50,000 people to Blenheim Palace over the weekend.

The 2006 Blenheim International Horse Trials culminated on Sunday with a show-jumping finale, as British Team member and Berkshire rider Daisy Dick and Springbok IV grasped the winning trophy from the grips of Pippa Funnell, who came second, followed by William Fox-Pitt in third place.

The event, sponsored by our sister paper The Oxford Times, opened with dressage on Thursday and Friday, followed by a four-mile cross-country race around the palace grounds on Saturday.

As well as the eventing, there were fun horse trials for younger riders on Sunday. And the cross-country track was put to good use as about 500 runners - some dressed as knights, others as fairies, and even a few dogs in fancy dress - climbed over jumps, grassy banks, and through water for an Only Fools Fun Run to raise thousands of pounds for the Anthony Nolan Trust, which helps people with leukaemia.