The ‘Shire – 11 Sept: Blenheim Horse Trials

Eileen had emailed us a few weeks before we left. She was very excited that we would be staying with them while the Blenheim horse trials were on. Would we like to come?

Personally, I know nothing of horses. I may once have been placed on the back of one for a quick lap at a fair, but I have no recollection. Charlotte’s family are pretty horsey. Sue and Gen both ride. In fact, Sue has her own horse. Despite this, I had not been to a horse event in my life.

The horse trials that we were going to were at a pretty high level (CIC***, if that means anything to you). The team competition for the Oceania region would secure one country a place at the London Olympics.

We arrived at Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke of Marlborough. So did half the countryside, apparently. These were the conservative country types. There were jodhpurs (on non-competitors) and tweed everywhere. Also, unlike an event I have seen in Australia, you were allowed to bring your dogs! This was a bit of a highlight for Charlotte. There were also stalls selling more tweed and riding gear, horse jumps and dog toys along with the usual coffee vans.

The events for the day included the end of the cross country followed by the show jumping. Eileen had organised us grandstand tickets for the show jumping, so we kicked back with a picnic and watched the show. It was pretty impressive – they made it look easy.

In the end, Japan beat Australia to qualify for the Olympics and a British girl with an unfortunate name (Piggy French) took the individual honours.

Back at Hill House, Neville dug up the old Jones family video “Trip of a lifetime”. This was the first home video that the Jones made. They were on an epic trip to Europe and had bought a video camera especially. Charlotte was an awkward 12 year old, Gen was still a cute little kid at 9, Bruce was dashing with his moustache, and everyone else’s hair was a few shades darker. It was amazing. The cinematography was breathtaking. Sue was learning to zoom and pan, but couldn’t hold the camera steady. The video fell into two themes:

1. Awkward pauses when someone was taking video where still photography would have captured the ‘cheese moment’ nicely. Instead, the smile is followed by a few long moment of awkwardness as they try to look either happy or busy, but achieve neither.
2. People walking around corners into view. Generally preceded by shouted instructions: “Ok!”, “Are you coming?!”, “Where’s Neville?”

Blenheim: The clan in the stand.

Blenheim: Horses, dogs and falconry.

Blenheim: Instead of a dog, this bloke bought his falcons.

Blenheim: Harassing the fox hounds.

Blenheim: Running the fox hounds.

Blenheim: impressive lines.

Blenheim: They make it look easy.

Blenheim: The show jump circuit set up in front of the palace. Our view from the grandstand.

Blenheim: on the bridge in the palace grounds.

Blenheim: Even horses like jumping in puddles.

Blenheim: up and up and over.

Blenheim: Charlotte in her new toff jumper.

Blenheim: Cross country. That’s a pretty decent jump.

Blenheim: Horse jumps for sale. This one’s for Sue: the company was called Jump For Joy.

Blenheim: Epic horse trailer for sale. Can you see the stuffed dogs?

Blenheim: Cross country