What an incredible day for Horsham & District RC to win such a prestigious competition as the Riding Club Eventers Challenge at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials and for Emily Hamilton to get individual 3rd out of 169 starters. Our team was drawn 42nd to go out of 44 teams so they didn't compete until nearly 5pm which gave us a chance to have a look round the trade stands, at some of the huge cross country fences on the 4* course and enjoy a picnic with the stunning back drop of Blenheim Palace.
First to jump was Helen Millichamp riding Honor Marshall's TREMAYNES MISS CLOVER, aka Lucy. Helen hadn't actually jumped a course on grass with her before and only gone xc schooling said she was a star, started as green as grass but finished like a pro full of confidence. Helen and Lucy jumped a double clear with just 0.8 time penalties.
Next up was Elsa Allan on her first outing representing the club riding DUCHESS YANA. They also jumped a double clear finishing with the same time penalties as Helen.
Emily Hamilton riding CASTLECOOTE STORM who had been to this competition in 2023 was next to go and they too jumped a double clear but this time without time penalties so had a score of zero which put them in individual 3rd place.
The last of the team to jump was Hannah Stickley riding SOUTHWAYS LEMON POPSICKLE. As Hannah and Poppy went into the arena it was announced that the team had already gone into 1st place which really took the pressure off of Hannah. Poppy still flew round clear though until the last fence so finished on a score of 6 penalties.
All of the team including their support crew of Honor Marshall, Dawn Robinson, Louise Hamilton, Vicky Allan, Jane Stickley and myself had a fabulous day!