Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials - Eventers Challenge

This is predominantly a Team Competition, however, the 100cm competition is open to individuals but please note that priority will be given to team entries in the 100cm (over individuals).

This competition is run in conjunction with BRC and PC rules. Each Team Manager is responsible for ensuring that all team members are conversant with these rules and the following rules:

1. Entries are taken on a first come first served basis.

Entry Fees: £200 per team £50 per individual

Start fee of £5 per person (whether team or individual)

All entries are subject to a non-refundable booking fee as stated online.

2. A wait list will be taken, if oversubscribed at entry point, and those successful will be notified if a place becomes available. However, you are advised to also check if you have made it off the wait list when times are declared.

If unsuccessful a full refund (minus the booking fee) will be made.

3. The Riding Club competition will happen on Thursday 19th September.

The Pony Club competition will happen on Friday 20th September.

4. Each team must have a minimum of three team members, with the team being made up of three individual riders and horses. If the team is made up of four members, the team must be made up of four individual riders and horses.

5. The team score/overall score is made up of the best three team members scores, with the fourth member being a discard score.

6. Any horse or rider may only compete in one Eventers Challenge competition at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.

7. Horse/rider combinations must not have competed at either CIC3*, CCI3* or higher in the preceding two seasons.

8. Each branch/club may enter one team at the 90cm height and two at the 100cm height. The 100cm height is also open to individuals.

We will also accept mixed teams for the 100cm height only (teams made up of individual members of different branches/clubs).

If the 100cm height is oversubscribed, then we will ballot, and the 100cm entries will be limited to one team per branch/club. Please state which is your preferred team at the entry stage.

If the event (90cm and 100cm height) is oversubscribed, then we will ballot, and entries will be limited to one team per branch/club. Please state your preferred height at the entry stage.

9. Horse/rider combinations must have completed two events competently at the following levels to be eligible. Spot checks will be conducted.

90cm: BE90, BRC HT 90, BRC AE 90, BRC CC90, PC 90.

100cm: BE 100, BRC HT 100, BRC AE100, BRC CC100, PC 100.

10. All hats must be current standard and tagged with pink coloured hat tags. All back protectors must be current standard, in line with PC and BRC rules as in current rulebooks.

11. Cross Country colours or jackets should be worn. Back protectors are mandatory. No jewellery, watches or stopwatches are allowed.

12. No electronic recording devices are permitted on either the horse or rider.

13. All horses and ponies must be 5 years of age or over and must be vaccinated against equine influenza.

All stallions must wear identification disks on both sides of the bridle/headcollar at all times.

Passports must be available on request, and spot checks may be carried out. Vaccinations must be in accordance with PC & BRC rules as in current rulebooks.

14. If a rider has a fall from their horse, they must be seen by one of the designated medical staff.

15. The judge’s decision is final. They may disqualify any rider at any stage in the competition for dangerous riding, inappropriate behaviour or language, abuse of officials, misuse of whip or spurs, ill treatment of the horse, or if in their opinion the horse is lame, sick or unfit to compete.

16. Any objections must be made in writing, within half an hour of the incident with a £50 deposit, at the secretary’s tent.

The deposit will be forfeited if the objection is not upheld.

17. There will be a prize for the highest placed registered ROR combination in each class. Please declare your ROR horse on the entry form ideally (or at the secretary tents prior to your round at the latest).

18. Prize giving will be mounted for the winning team and the highest placed ROR Horse/Rider combination. 2nd – 6th placed teams will be on foot for prize giving but dressed in appropriate attire. Prize giving will take place in the arena as soon as possible after the competition has finished. Please monitor the live scoreboard (on Eventing Scores) to ensure that you are ready in good time.

19. Completion rosettes can be collected from the secretary’s tent for all teams placed 7th and below.

20. All horses must display a competitor number whilst being ridden on the grounds.

21. Each competitor must be a currently paid-up member of either the British Riding Club or the Pony Club at the time of entry and competition.

22. Entries must be made via your Team Managers.

23. The organising committee for this competition reserves the right to make any changes/amendments to the competition.

EVENT RULES:

• The Blenheim Estate is a World Heritage site, please respect this.

• All dogs must be kept on leads at all times.

• Please bring an extra printed bib number (competition number) for each competitor which is to be left clearly visible in the windscreen of the competitor’s lorry/trailer whilst on site.

• No horses may be left unattended outside of lorries/trailers.

• No hay nets may be tied to the outside of lorries/trailers.

• All droppings must be removed from the lorry park immediately. Bins will be provided in the lorry park.

• When mounted, all competitors must use designated horse walks and crossing points. Failure to do so will result in elimination.

• No rider under any circumstances should use the FEI hacking track, and if found doing so may be subject to the penalty of Team Elimination immediately.

• Parking is limited. Please follow instructions given by the Parking Stewards at all times.

• Abuse of stewards, officials, volunteers, and fellow competitors will not be tolerated.