The top five had a bit of a re-shuffle in the CCI4*-L at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials with Tom McEwen slotting into fifth on Brookfield Quality and Laura Collett with Calahari taking fourth place overnight. New world number one Ros Canter sits in second place on hers and Alex Moody’s ten-year-old gelding Izilot DHI. The pair come to Blenheim off the back of a win in the CCI4*-S at Blair last month and two top five finishes in their previous two events. Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir keep the lead heading into cross country tomorrow.

Course Designer, David Evans comments, “We have been a little bit unfortunate with the drying sun for the last couple of days, but we’ve been Verti-draining and watering. We’ve had Mark Lucey here who comes and does some testing for us on the ground. The footing is good, good to firm in a few places, so we will keep working on it overnight.”

In the CCI4*-S, Tim Price went into fifth on Jarillo and fourth on Chio 20. Then it gets very tight at the top with Oliver Townend’s ride today, Cooley Rosalent tying in second place on 24.7 with Thursday’s overnight second place, Piggy March. Tom McEwen remains in the lead by just 0.1 penalties heading into tomorrow’s showjumping phase.

Spectators who stayed later than usual today were treated to a special evening masterclass with Geoff Billington and Tom McEwen. Geoff lent Tom a horse and tested out his showjumping prowess – however it was Geoff whose pride came off worse, blaming a rogue shadow for his tumble through a double! For those who could not stay for this masterclass, Geoff is also treating Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials visitors to a masterclass on Saturday and Sunday in the Blenheim Arena.

Tickets are still available to purchase for the weekend here

Images courtesy of BPIHT/Hannah Cole Photography