Blenheim Eventer Challenge

FVRC entered a team to compete at Blenheim Palace in the Arena Eventing Challenge in September. The team members were James Smith (chairman), Rosie Stevens, Shirley Stagg and Isabella Stagg. We got there nice and early so we had time to look around and watch the pros eventing. Forty five teams took part so the competition started at 8am. We were jumping at 4pm.

The course was walked; there were some testing lines and XC jumps for the less experienced Eventer being myself (Rosie Stevens). So the Stagg family gave me lots of advice and encouragement. That's the great thing about team events, there is always lots of team support.

Shirley jumped first, her horse is a very bold strong jumper and was taking strides out, how Shirley sat to some of them I don't know, she rode a great round with an unfortunate pole.

I was next and rode cautiously! My little horse didn't question a fence and pinged them all with a clear and just a time fault. James jumped a fabulous round just touching the planks as his horse got distracted. Isabella was last to go and what a great partnership they were. It was a very nice round to watch, she rode beautifully and her horse loved every minute with ears forward and locking on to every fence, a well-deserved clear in the time.

All of us came out wanting to do it all again. A great high! We finished with 6.4 penalties placing us in a remarkable 5th place. What a great achievement for FVRC.

We had great ground support on the day too from committee members Barbara Smith (team co-ordinator), Jaquie Luker, Colin Taylor. Lucy Stagg. And Gordon Crane took some great photos of us.

Hoping we can get a team together next year for this event, so if anyone wants to take part in any team events go for it, it's great fun.