Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

Ginny spent almost a week at Blenheim with Divilabit and Gamblers Image. The team arrived in plenty of time on the Tuesday to ensure both horses were completely settled for their dressage tests, particularly Gamblers image who takes longer to settle when there is a lot of atmosphere. Both horses flew through the first horse inspection, all looking very smart including Ginny, thanks to “The Really Wild Clothing Co” who dressed her in their tweed clothing. With the trot up out of the way, Ginny’s dressage trainer, Dan Greenwood, came to help work both horses which made all the difference and both horses were working in beautifully by the end of the day.

Gamblers Image had his dressage test on the Thursday. He did a good test with a few silly mistakes particularly on the centre line and in his halts but nevertheless, a respectable score of 57. Ginny’s team were all thrilled with this as he has only been doing his changes and half passes in the last few months. His scores can improve now that there is lots to work on for the higher marks.

Divilabit had a Friday afternoon dressage test. Sadly was not his best test to date. He was little up tight which was unusual for him but given the atmospheric situation, Ginny was still pleased and has every confidence that the mark of 61 can be improved upon.

Three cross country courses walks later, one with Lucinda Green and one with William Fox Pitt, Ginny had the course drilled into her memory and was much happier with the routes she would take the following day. The help and advice from all of the pros was invaluable to Ginny.

It was an exciting day of cross country, the course was just under ten minutes and thirty seconds, it was challenging for both horse’s stamina and ability. The course had some tricky combinations and some big asks for Divilabit, who is still just a nine year old and Gamblers Image who is relatively inexperienced at 3* and Advanced level.

Ginny remarked that both horses felt fantastic and showed unbelievable scope and boldness. Ginny achieved two clears but notched up quite a few time faults - something to be improved on for next year. Gamblers Image was a little tired towards the end of the course, however, this was his longest ever cross country course and at the maximum height that he has jumped, Ginny couldn’t have hoped for better. Divilabit was very careful over his fences loosing time in the air with his showjumper like jump. However, with experience this will improve and another clear around an International track is a brilliant result. Overall, it was a very successful and exciting day of cross country for the horses and everyone involved with Ginny Howe Eventing.

A nice early start on the Sunday with a 7.30am trot up, both horses passed the vet’s inspection and went into the lunch time show jumping.

Sadly, Divilabit was not quite himself in the up to height jumping, he didn’t quite reach out over the spread and found the distances a little long on what normally he would find easy. Ginny was disappointed with two stops which sadly meant elimination; a big upset considering his fantastic cross country the previous day. However, as a young horse he had achieved so much and will come back stronger for next year.

Gamblers Image was full of beans and feeling very happy with himself following Saturday’s cross country. He did not warm up quite at his best and Showjumping being his weakest phase, he coped well with the huge track. After some help from Ginny Elliot in the warm up Ginny went into the ring much happier. Although he had 4 rails down, Ginny was very pleased with him.

After a fabulous week, a big thank you is owed to everyone who helped and supported Ginny over the week, including sponsors, Rosie and Iona Dent, and Ginny’s family and friends.

Ginny received great coverage last weekend at Blenheim, including:

The Oxford Mail

Jo Thornes interview with GInny for BBC Radio Oxford

BBC Radio Oxford: 860.06 kb