This first phase of the event, which is run by The Jockey Club for the first time in 2021, took place in blazing sunshine on the South Lawn of Blenheim Palace. All the horses were trotted up for inspection by the three members of the ground jury (judges) - Judy Herbert (GBR), Seppo Laine (FIN) and Jane Tolley (GBR), and the FEI veterinary delegate, Liam Kearns, who is also part of the Cheltenham Racecourse team of vets.

The “best dressed” awards, sponsored by jewellery company Hi Ho Silver, went to France’s Gaspard Maksud, wearing a patriotic red beret, and British rider Georgia Bartlett. The best turned out horse prize went to Valmy Biats, ridden by Emily King.

Dressage for both of the classes, the CCI4*-L and the CCI4*-S for eight- and nine-year-old horses, at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials starts at 9am tomorrow. An extremely high quality entry includes two of Britain’s team gold medallists at the recent Tokyo Olympics, Oliver Townend and Tom McEwen, as well as heroes of the sport such as multiple former Blenheim Palace winners Pippa Funnell and William Fox-Pitt.

Ian Renton, Event Director and Regional Managing Director for The Jockey Club’s West Region, said: “It’s fantastic to have got this far and to see the first horse inspection in such an iconic venue, in front of Blenheim Palace, and I’m just really grateful to my team, who have worked tirelessly to get us to the eve of Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. We are working closely with the Palace, and it is wonderful to be here on this amazing site.

“I think we will have four days of fantastic sport. The weather forecast is good, and I think the team have done brilliantly to get the venue looking superb. I’ve walked the cross-country course with the ground jury and the course-designer, David Evans, and David and his team have done an exceptional job to produce a great track. We can’t wait to get started tomorrow.

“Ticket sales have gone very well and we will have a great crowd here on Saturday for cross-country. Tickets are still available, and will be on the day as well.”

To find out more and to buy tickets (under-18s are free), visit www.bpiht.co.uk

The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials Facebook page is available at https://www.facebook.com/blenheimhorse