Riding on day one of the dressage, Oliver Barrett and Sandhill Briar’s mark of 25.6 stood the test time and places them just ahead of Jesse Campbell of New Zealand with Speedwell (26.2) and Tom McEwen of Great Britain with Brookfield Quality (26.5).
Twenty-two-year-old Oliver and 10-year-old Sandhills Briar (Christian x Sandhills Beetle, by Stirling Sprite) were part of Australia’s 2026 FEI World Championship team in Aachen, where they’d produced a strong dressage test before an unfortunate mishap during the cross country phase ended their campaign. Back in action here at Blenheim, they have certainly produced a very impressive test in a strong field at this top British event.
Fellow Australian Christine Bates completed her test at Blenheim with Bloomfield Findon on day two of the dressage, scoring 32.4 to place 19th. Sam Jeffree and Santoro are placed 34th on a score of 35.
Blenheim also hosts a CCI4*S class for eight- and nine-year-old horses. Sammi Birch is placed 7th with Rosa’s Party on 28.3, and 43rd with MBF Quidam’s Touch on 34.4.
Isabel English is placed 17th with Cil Dara Bombay S on 30.2, and 64th with Elysian Fields Prado on 37.5.
The cross country phase takes place Saturday, followed by the showjumping phase on Sunday.
Results from Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials can be found here.
