Attractions & Displays

There’s more to Blenheim than just world class riders and their horses…

Throughout the event there is a marvellous selection of trade stands, a sumptuous food hall and a well-stocked craft pavilion, plus a series of thrilling demonstrations and displays in the Blenheim Arena which are entirely free of charge to watch.

A Bit on the Side

A Bit on the Side are a renowned group of side saddle riders who are all members of the Side Saddle Association. Each of the ladies rides side saddle regularly and will entertain you with their presentation and skilful riding in this ancient form of equestrianism. The display will guide you through the art of side saddle riding, the history surrounding it and the elegance and beauty within it.

The ladies will present various different costumes taking you back to yester year when side saddle riding was the norm for the lady rider. Theatre and music will take centre stage in a new programme designed to give you an insight into Rotten Row in the Victorian Era.

Riders showing their side saddle expertise are Ginny Oakley, Gemma Swan, Beth Robertson and junior rider Felicity Bowman, as well as Emma Brown showing her talent over fences.

Bath Quadrille

Quadrille is a display of horsemanship, set to music with a team of four riders wearing costume. The display need not necessarily be based on the movements of dressage. The competition takes the form of a selection trial, where four teams are selected to go forward to the final at Olympia. At Blenheim, the team will be showcasing their superb routine and costumes.

Bath Riding Quadrille Team have qualified for Olympia the past three years and came 2nd last year with their "Pride of Bath" Lion King theme.

This year the quadrille team is made up of Rachel Yeomans riding Monty, Chantelle Bucknell riding Disney, Georgina Bryce riding Otto and Jenny Watkins riding Balou. They have worked extremely hard on their performance and have spent hours making their own amazing costumes.

Dog Agility with Abingdon and Witney College

Watch the students demonstrate their dog training skills developed as part of a course at Common Leys Farm Campus, and then let them guide you round the agility course with your dog.

Eventers High Jump Challenge

The Eventers High Jump Challenge launched in 2010 and has been hugely popular ever since. Please click here for more information.

Gamegoer Gun Dogs

The Gamegoer team have been professionally training dogs for thirty years. Watch their interesting and informative displays on Saturday which include working gundogs, ferrets and birds of prey. These displays will show the training of working dogs; from basic obedience training of puppies through to how fully trained Spaniels, Labradors and Pointers would be worked out in the field as well as an insight into the training of Spaniels and Pointers to work with a Harris Hawk and ferrets.

Gamegoer will also have a static display which will give you the opportunity to meet the animals and to ask questions about any difficulties that you are experiencing with your own gundogs or pets.

Visit www.gamegoer.co.uk to find out more about the services that this superb team offer.

The Light Cavalry

The Light Cavalry was formed in 1861 and initially had an operational role as the reconnaissance force for the HAC infantry battalions. That role ended in 1891 but in 1979 the unit was reformed for ceremonial duties so that military equitation would continue to be practiced in a reserve unit.

The Light Cavalry operates in the same manner as a Yeomanry unit of the Territorial Army in that its' members conform to military discupline and provide their own horses, uniforms and equipment. The Light Cavalry operates receives no MoD funding and exists to provide the Lady Mayoress of the City of London with an escort and to maintain the public profile of the HAC.

Public performances of the Light Cavalry, when not escorting the Lady Mayoress, are expressly to keep the HAC in the public eye and to raise public awareness of the challenges and opportunities that await recruits to the Active Unit. The Light Cavalry is, of course, also a living embodiment of the amazing camaraderie experienced by all service personnel and none more so than those who are proud to serve with the HAC.

Visit www.lchac.org.uk to find out more about this fantastic organisation.

Master Classes from the Experts

Througout the four days, the Blenheim Arena will play host to various experts who will conduct master classes with test riders.

Further details and celebrities will be announced in due course.

Richard Baldwin Dressage Display

Local trainer and British Dressage judge Richard Baldwin returns to the Attractions Arena with his test riders. This year they will be demonstrating a variety of BE dressage tests. Richard will discuss whilst the riders illustrate what the judge is looking for, how to perform movements and how not to! An education for all.

The Farmers Bloodhounds

The Farmers Bloodhounds are based at the home of Senior Master and Huntsman Mr Brian Temple and his wife Debbie at Paulerspury, Northamptonshire. Joint Masters Penny Dowdeswell, Anna Hall and Wayne Clark assist in the running of the Bloodhounds and the team is completed by Brian and Debbie’s children, Zoe and Jamie, who whip in.

The Bloodhounds hunt “The Clean Boot”, the natural scent of a man, over an average of 15 miles of hill and vale country stretching from Northamptonshire to the Cotswolds. The Farmers Bloodhounds meet on a Wednesday evening and a Sunday from August for Hound Exercise through to the Opening Meet in October. The season ends late March.

New subscribers, day visitors and foot followers are warmly welcomed at all times.