Blenheim Palace Horse Trials 2020
September 12 – 21, 2020
We have always wanted to attend the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials and find that staying in the lovely, nearby university town of Oxford will allow us to enjoy the colleges and history of that town and be quite close to Woodstock and Blenheim. The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials offer CCI4*, both Long and Short, in a setting overlooking the Palace that is still home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough.
We plan on 8 nights in Oxford with sightseeing to include the town and colleges, sites associated with Chief Inspector Morse and Harry Potter and a visit to the magnificent Blenheim Palace, home to the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. There enjoy the lovely grounds and gardens and visit Churchill’s nearby grave.
In Oxford you will find many fine restaurants and sites you can explore at your leisure. We hope you will join us.
Saturday, September 12
Usual departure day for North American clients. Please plan on flying into Heathrow as we will have transfers arranged to Oxford. If you fly into Gatwick please plan on a 2 hour transfer to Heathrow.
Sunday, September 13
We will have a “collection point” at one of the airport hotels where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or have a proper breakfast (protein after an overnight flight is good for jet lag) and from there be transferred to Oxford and the Mercure Eastgate.
Today is free until our gathering this evening for a drink’s reception and dinner.
Monday, September 14
Begin our visit with a walking tour visiting several of the colleges, hopefully including Christ Church, and the Divinity School (used in the Potter films and others). Our guide (and I) are fans of Chief Inspector Morse so we’ll touch on those sites as we enjoy the historic city. The afternoon will be free to explore at your leisure. With the Hop on-Hop off sightseeing coach.
Tuesday, September 15: Time in Oxford
Continue your exploration of Oxford today with your two-day sightseeing tickets. There’s much to enjoy in Oxford. Restaurants abound in town.
Wednesday, September 16: Visit the Duke of Marlborough’s Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne and the nation to General John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, for his military victories (including the Battle of Blenheim). The land extends to some 2000 acres and the private apartments give a hint of the ducal life. The interior is opulent. While here, view the small chamber where Winston Churchill was born. Winston was cousin to the Duke. The gardens were the work of Capability Brown.
Later visit Churchill’s grave at the little church in nearby Bladen. Then to the picturesque village of Woodstock where you can lunch and explore the village. Late afternoon we return to Oxford.
Thursday – Friday, September 17 – 18: Let the Horse Trials Begin
Dressage on Thursday and Friday for the CCI4* Long and Short formats. There will also be Riding Club Team challenges and Pony Club events, well worth watching. The Blenheim Pavilion will have the usual “members” comforts with private bars, dining options and private loos. The best viewing of competition in the Marlborough Ring will be from the lawn area of the Blenheim Pavilion.
Saturday, September 19: Cross Country and Show Jumping
The Blenheim Palace Horse Trials continue with cross country for the CCI4*L, while in the ring in front of the Blenheim Pavilion will be show jumping for the CCI4* S. We expect there will be coverage on closed circuit TV in the Pavilion.
Sunday, September 20: Cross Country and Show Jumping
Perhaps a later start today for the show jumping for the CCI4*L while the CIC4-S are doing their cross country. We will be organizing a lovely 3 course lunch in the Blenheim Pavilion restaurant, so be back from your wonderings so that you don’t miss it. Over the weekend there will also be fun events and shows. Sunday usually features the Master’s Challenge, with hunt masters and field masters competing over a fixed gate, a not unusual hunting obstacle. This evening we gather for a farewell drinks’ reception and dinner.
Monday, September 21: Depart for Home
Early departure for Heathrow Airport this morning. I strongly suggest you check in on your airline website on Sunday so that you have you boarding pass on your phone or printed by the hotel.
Thank you for travelling with us. Hope you enjoyed our Equestrian Tours program and your traveling companions.
Rates & inclusions:
Twin room or double room; $2,695 per person; Single room; $3,495 per person
Program includes:
8 nights hotel accommodations in Oxford with breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 2 receptions and 2 dinners; admissions as outlined including Member’s admission to the Blenheim Pavilion with season admission to the Horse Trials; sightseeing, transfers and transportation as outlined and services of Equestrian Tours host.