Screenshot via EquiRatings on Instagram.
It’s a big week at the Agira Blenheim Palace International, with a full display of four-star competition on tap between the 8/9-Year-Old CCI4*-S Championships, the notoriously challenging CCI4*-L and a new competition for developing riders with an additional £50,000 prize fund on offer. The USA is participating in this Blenheim Challenge, and EquiRatings has put together a great explainer on how the competition works here.
The teams, made up of British, American and Australian riders, will face off directly within the CCI4*-L competition all weekend, with the Blenheim Challenge set up as more of a “match” between teams.
The teams consist of:
Rising Lions team
- Isabelle Cook – Cymoon “F” Z
- Josh Levett – Huberthus AC
- Jess Rimmer – The Spice Merchant
- Barnie Brotherton – DHI King Nelson
Stars & Stripes team
- Olivia Dutton – Jewelent
- Oliver Barrett – Sandhills Briar
- Tommy Greengard – That’s Me Z
- Grace Taylor – Bandito Van Polderzicht
Instead of traditional team scoring, a random draw will pit a rider from each team head-to-head, in each phase. For example, a random draw will be held ahead of dressage, and each pair of riders will face off, earning a point for each match win. So, if Isabelle and Olivia are set up in a match and Isabelle earns a 25.0 in the dressage, while Olivia earns a 26.0, Isabelle would “win” that match, collecting a point for the Rising Lions.
Adding more dimension to the match format, the grooms will also be involved — the best turned out horse will earn a point for his or her team. Teams can also assign Jokers, worth two points instead of one, adding an element of strategy that can evolve during each phase.
It’s a pretty cool concept, so swipe through this explainer and then check out the schedule and live stream on H&C+ all weekend using the link list below. EquiRatings Eventing Manager team selection is also still open for both the 8/9-Year-Old Championships as well as a the CCI4*-L.
Major International Events
Agria Blenheim Palace International (UK): [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [H&C+ Live Stream]
U.S. Weekend Events
Twin Rivers Fall International (CA): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores] [Volunteer]
Unionville International (PA): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]
Heritage Park H.T. (KS): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Volunteer]
University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH): [Website] [Entries/Timing] [Scores] [Volunteer]
Honey Run H.T. (MI): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scores]
Links & Reading
- 3 Ditches & A Dude Capture the Essence of the USEA Adult Team Championships to Win the 2026 Adams Horse Supply ATC Scavenger Hunt
- Protecting Your Horse From Poisonous Fall Leaves
- The Business of Horses with Sinead Halpin Maynard
- Cavalier Crystal wins Burghley breeding scholarship for fourth consecutive year
- ‘I wanted to finish feeling good about how I was riding’: Olympic eventer retires from top-level competition
Training Tip of the Day
Some advice on a horse’s shoeing schedule before, specifically in this video, a CCI4*-L. Timing of shoes matters a lot and you might be able to glean a few tips for your own routine from this video:
Go Eventing
Meet one of the important faces of the Carolina International: Facilities & Grounds Specialist Tommy Anderson!
