The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials are now firmly established as one of the World’s premier three star competitions.

Great British Life: Over 200 exhibitors will offer something to suit every taste and budgetOver 200 exhibitors will offer something to suit every taste and budget (Image: Archant)

The event has been held in the grounds of Blenheim Palace since 1990, and is frequented by the world’s very best riders including Olympians and World Champions.

Both CCI3* and CIC3* competitions are held at Blenheim over the four days (September 11 - 14 2014). The latter is recognised as a Championship for 8 and 9 year old horses and has been noted as a fantastic stepping stone for equine stars of the future. The showcase CCI3* class, for older and more experienced horses, stipulates a longer and more exacting Cross Country phase than the CIC3*, which provides a less technical test for the younger equines.

There are two days of Dressage (Thursday 11 and Friday 12) and two days of Show Jumping and Cross Country (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14) over the

The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trialschallenging Cross Country courses that wind themselves around the stunning parkland of the Blenheim Palace estate. Horses will cross the River Glyme via Blenheim’s famous river crossings where riders will be eager to avoid a ducking! The event offers great opportunities to see the world’s very best riders close up at one of the most demanding competitions in the calendar.

Great British Life: The Festival of Food will be packed with delicious delightsThe Festival of Food will be packed with delicious delights (Image: Archant)

Both competitions deliver spectacular thrills and spills for the thousands of spectators that come to Blenheim each year, but another highlight of the event is the unique shopping experience. Blenheim has a vast array of quality and varied trade stands, making a visit an exciting shopping experience for all the family.

There are over 200 exhibitors offering something to suit every taste and budget, arranged in the style of an old fashioned high street lined with an extensive array of unique retail offerings. The village provides a huge variety of carefully selected trade stands with everything from bespoke garden furniture and country tailors to rural crafts and safari lodges available - perfect for some personal retail therapy or for starting your Christmas shopping!

In addition to the many avenues of trade stands the Festival of Food will once again be packed with delicious delights, combining a great mix of sampling and selling! This interactive shopping pavilion provides a stimulating forum for a huge selection of products from around the World.

A new feature for the event this year is a cookery demonstration theatre. Throughout the event the theatre will play host to a series of demos from a local restaurants, pubs and food and drink companies who will showcase their talents and signature dishes. Demonstrations will include preparing game, fish, canapés, and chocolate as well as advice on which wines to serve with different dishes. The team at Blenheim are hugely excited to be working with local kitchen specialists Hunt Bespoke Kitchens to design and build a dedicated kitchen for this new venture. As Senior Hunt Bespoke Kitchen Designer, Jason Homer, explains “We’ve enjoyed the design challenge that this unique opportunity presents: to deliver a beautiful, solid wood bespoke cookery station that is fully fit for purpose and which will showcase both the talents of chefs and local food heroes and our products.”

Great British Life: This year's event will feature a cookery demonstration theatre, designed by Hunt Bespoke KitchensThis year's event will feature a cookery demonstration theatre, designed by Hunt Bespoke Kitchens (Image: Archant)

Over the past 14 years, Hunt Bespoke Kitchens has established an enviable

This year’s event will feature a cookery demonstration theatre, designed by Hunt Bespoke Kitchens

Over 200 exhibitors offer shopping for all the familyreputation for uniquely-designed, hand-built wooden kitchens, studies and bedrooms. Visit them at their trade stand next to the cookery theatre for a full view of their beautiful product range.

The Blenheim Learning Area will once again provide added value for visitors this year, playing host to a plethora of free to view ‘up close and personal’ demonstrations with industry experts and well as celebrity book signings and Q&A sessions. This theatre will be encircled by shops selling the products recommended within it, so you can take home some fantastic items endorsed by professionals.

Several master classes will be held within the Blenheim Attractions Arena; headlining is Olympic legend Carl Hester. The ever popular gold medal winner will be educating the Blenheim crowds on Thursday (11th September) whilst 4* event rider Nick Gauntlett, Richard Waygood and the European CIC2* squad will be featured throughout the four event days.

This year will see the event place an even greater focus on social media integration. Supporters can receive up to the minute information via the Blenheim Horse Trials Facebook page www.facebook.com/blenheimhorse and Twitter feed @BlenheimHorse. The Horse Trial’s YouTube Channel has also grown increasingly popular over the last twelve months and features some exciting videos and celebrity interviews.

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Gates open at 7am Thursday – Sunday, and on Thursday and Friday admission is free after 4pm for ‘late night’ shopping.

Tickets for this packed event schedule can be purchased online via www.blenheimhorse.co.uk. Tickets start at just £10 for admission for adults with children under 12 getting into the event for free.

Hunt Bespoke Kitchens & Interiors Ltd, Showroom: High Street, Bloxham, Banbury OX15 4LT. Tel: 01295 721111. www.huntbespokekitchens.com.