World number one Rosalind Canter has won Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials with 10-year-old Izilot DHI. Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir had led until the final phase of the competition, where they lowered the very last showjumping fence to drop to second place.
Ros has had an incredible season, winning Badminton and the European title, but a victory at Blenheim has so far eluded her. She finally secured her win riding Alex Moody’s Dutch-bred Izilot DHI, who has won CCI4*-S competitions at Bramham and Blair Castle.
“I am so proud of how he jumped,” Ros said. “He can be cheeky and spooky, but he coped very well this weekend and that is exciting for the future. I feel there is loads more to come with this horse and feel very lucky to have him. He is now ready to go on to a five-star.”
Credit: BPIHT/Hannah Cole Photography
Yasmin may have been pipped at the post, but she achieved her aim of qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
“I thought it was all going rather too well,” she said. “But I am still thrilled with how it went. Banzai is such a lovely horse to have.”
Harry Meade achieved his best result at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, finishing third on his dressage score with Annaghmore Valona, a ride he has taken over from Australian rider Sam Griffiths.
Tom McEwen was fourth on Brookfield Quality, Tom Rowland fifth on Dreamliner and Piggy March sixth with Halo, winner of last year’s CCI4*-S at Blenheim.
Credit: BPIHT/Hannah Cole Photography
Piggy also finished second, on Brookfield Future News, in this year’s CCI4*-S for eight and nine-year-old horses behind Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent. New Zealander Tim Price came third on Jarillo.
“It was quite a challenging track for eight- and nine-year-old horses, but it was exactly right for a championship,” said Oliver.
“This horse is something different. We’ve had her since a four-year-old and she’s been special since the word go. She’s got lots of blood and she really wants to do it; she had her ears pricked all the way round the cross-country.”
Credit: BPIHT/Hannah Cole Photography
“Blenheim has often been a proving ground for stars of the future and I have no doubt that the two winners of 2023 will go on to greater glory,” said Event Organiser, Katrina Midgley. “I also have to congratulate everyone who took part in the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials — each and every person involved has contributed to make this a truly special event for all of us.”
Lead image by BPIHT/Hannah Cole Photography
