Blenheim.- XC Day

[MuddyMonster]

I'm a pretty regular Blenheim visitor but due to social things I've been on dressage days rather than XC for the last few years but. I have zero recollection of the time we used to arrive on XC day!

Is it like Badminton where if you're not on-site by 8/8.30am you are in queueing nightmare or is it easier to get into and we can turn up at a later, more civilised time?

 

[ester]

It used to be better but the last time I went was the first one post covid and the weather was nice and it was chaos . I was camping so . Not sure about the last couple of years.

 

[sportsmansB]

When we were there, the 8/9yo short format SJ was at 8.30 on the sat am so worth going early for that

 

[teapot]

Last time I went (pre Covid days), xc day was chaos traffic wise, so I would def go early if you can.

 

[spider]

Volunteer crossing stewards briefing not until 10.15 on Saturday so XC not starting too early.

 

[lar]

Best to go early although tbf the farce of the first post covid event hasn't been repeated in subsequent years. And it's a different organiser now.

 

[HopOnTrot]

What time does the traffic start? Will it be okay before 9am?

 

[reynold]

If you want to go and haven't bought tickets yet there is a discount code - BPIHT15 to get 15% off ticket prices.

I no longer go but am still on their mailing list and received that code last night. I haven't looked to see what tickets it applies to but it might be of interest to some.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Watching rather distant footage of the Blenheim CCI4*-L Cross Country on Horse and Country tv.

Raining quite heavily there now by the look of it.

 

[PinkRoses]

Has anyone been to both cornbury and Blenheim as a spectator and can tell me which one they prefer?

We normally do burghley every year so would like to also do one of them. Don’t think I’d get away with doing all 3 haha

 

[clinkerbuilt]

they do sound like they're trying to organise the horse&country commentary in a portaloo.

 

[ihatework]

Has anyone been to both cornbury and Blenheim as a spectator and can tell me which one they prefer?

We normally do burghley every year so would like to also do one of them. Don’t think I’d get away with doing all 3 haha

Very different. Blenheim much much bigger and whilst not as big as Burghley/Badminton much more of that ilk.

Cornbury is tiny in comparison.

I’m allergic to humans so I would generally prefer Cornbury but if you want shopping and bigger event type stuff then deffo Blenheim.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I love Blenheim, all the top horses but far less crowds. Easier to get close to the fences.

 

[humblepie]

Blenheim is nice and lovely park. Find the shopping quite boring though but fine for a quick walk round.

 

[Honey08]

I always found Blenheim such a let down after Burghley. Not saying it’s not good, it just feels so small after Burghley (I always felt w that about Chatsworth after Badminton too). Wait a few weeks and do Osberton?

 

[MuddyMonster]

Very late to return to say thank you! I've been away on holiday this week & had a friend's birthday celebration last night so not been on HHO very much but made it to Blenheim somewhat bleary eyed. So apologies for not responding to you all sooner

In case anyone was wondering about arrival time, we arrived about 10.30am and drove straight in so that was brilliant

Thank you so much @reynold for the discount code too!

Had a lovely day - it didn't rain too much, the picnic was excellent, got a few show offer bargains from the trade stands & watched some great horse & rider combinations.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Is it an automatic E if the horse leaves the course during the XC, in this case jumping the ropes napping prior to being presented to the fence?

Ought to know as a former BE FJ , but haven’t had this happen to me while FJing.

 

[asmp]

Very long hold

 

[Bustermartin]

Very long hold

I’ve only just started watching - anyone know what the hold is for?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Coverage resumes soon. It was Louise Harwood who fell. I must have missed the start of the course hold. No update on condition of horse or rider.

Louise is not long back after a non riding injury - she fell off a muck trailer .

 

[Bustermartin]

Oh dear - hope both ok. We’re not far from Blenheim and it is absolutely tipping it down here

 

[clinkerbuilt]

Is it an automatic E if the horse leaves the course during the XC, in this case jumping the ropes napping prior to being presented to the fence?

Ought to know as a former BE FJ , but haven’t had this happen to me while FJing.

Someone at Cornbury jumped the outside rope because of their speed, then jumped back in and resumed the course without crossing their tracks and they weren't penalised, so it's only the napping that's the problem, seemingly.

 

[ihatework]

I’m actually not sure on the ropes things but often if deemed out of control you will get, at minimum, a formal warning on record.

 

[ihatework]

I’ve switched to the sj - any news on Lou, is she up?

 

[Tiddlypom]

No more updates on Louise or her horse, which looking at start list was Blues Cloud.

 

[Gamebird]

I’m actually not sure on the ropes things but often if deemed out of control you will get, at minimum, a formal warning on record.

Yup. There are people currently on the FEI disciplinary list for doing exactly that.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Louise Harwood update from XC commentators.

She is stable and is being transferred to the John Radcliffe hospital by road ambulance. Blues Cloud appears to be ok.

 

[teapot]

LH really isn't having a good year, hope she's ok!

 

[supagran]

I haven't seen any update on LH injuries - has anyone heard anything?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Nothing since before her cross country round on her eventing FB page.

I suspect that it was quite a crunch .