An Interview with Event Director Katrina Midgley
Set against the spectacular backdrop of Blenheim Palace, the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is one of the highlights of the Cotswolds' autumn calendar.
Over four days, the event brings together world-class equestrian sport, shopping, food and drink, family entertainment and the very best of the British country lifestyle.
But what makes Blenheim so special, and what can visitors expect when they arrive?
We caught up with Katrina Midgley, Event Director of the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, to find out more about the event, what makes its setting so unique and why you don't need to be an equestrian expert to enjoy a day at Blenheim.
First of all, for anyone who hasn't experienced it before, how would you describe the Agria Blenheim International Horse Trials?
The Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is an unforgettable experience – four days of exhilarating equestrian competition, set against the stunning Palace backdrop, showcasing everything from world-class talent to grassroots riders, swathes of shopping, hospitality and family entertainment.
What makes Blenheim different from other equestrian events?
Our setting is genuinely unrivalled.
The competition takes place within the full expanse of the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Blenheim Palace, with the cross-country running through the famous Capability Brown parkland, including the iconic River Glyme water complex.
We are also one of only three UK horse trials that offers both the short CCI4*-S competition format and the CCI4*-L format over the same weekend, with exciting developing horses and future stars taking part in the short-format GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year-Old class.
Past riders have included world champions and Olympic medallists Ros Canter with her horse Lordships Graffalo and Laura Collett with London 52.
We are also very proud to welcome everyone from grassroots riders to young riders, with the evokeä Eventer Challenge, Pony Club and Riding Club competitions, as well as Connolly RED MILLS Retraining of Racehorses classes.
Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is where world-class eventing meets the very best of the British country lifestyle.
You don't have to be a dedicated horse lover to enjoy the event. What can first-time visitors expect?
For a first-time visitor, Blenheim is the chance to experience world-class eventing, up close in an extraordinary Palace setting.
But you don't need to be an equestrian enthusiast to enjoy the weekend.
Our Shopping Village, for example, will bring premium country and lifestyle brands, independent makers and delicious food to the fore. We are also introducing a brand new Created in Cotswolds area for 2027, showcasing local artisans, homeware and gifts.
You don't have to be an eventing expert to have a fantastic day with us.
What are you particularly looking forward to this year?
This year will see the inaugural Attélage de Tradition carriage driving competition, created specifically for the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
The one-day competition, taking place on the Sunday, will see competitors assessed for their overall turnout and compete in three exciting driving tasks in the Palace Arena.
It will offer the ultimate spectacle of elegance, detail and tradition.
I also can't wait for the long-format and short-format cross country. It is so exciting to watch, though can be a little nail-biting!
What are some of the highlights visitors might not know about?
There are so many to mention!
Away from the competition, 2026 will see the introduction of The Friday Fashion Forecast, with a plethora of fashion-focused talks and events throughout the day.
Across the weekend, there will be family entertainment galore, with Sheep Shows, Dog Agility, Mini Landers, and even exclusive discounted access to the Blenheim Palace Adventure Playground.
Children aged 12 and under can attend for free, too.
There are also swathes of shopping areas and plenty of food and drink stands, including the ultimate picnic baskets from Fortnum & Mason.
On the competition field, it will be a weekend of captivating cross country through the parkland, elegant dressage in front of the Palace and nail-biting show jumping finales, as over 1,000 competitors from around the world compete across the varied formats.
And, of course, we can't forget the setting itself!
Would you recommend for families?
Absolutely! There is plenty to keep families entertained over the four days.
Each morning, the Shetland Pony Grand National will see young riders face off in a fast-paced race to the finish line – a sure-fire way to get excited for the day ahead.
Kids can get behind the wheel on the dedicated Mini Lander course or meet incredible falconry birds up close.
And, exclusively for 2026, families can enjoy discounted entry to Blenheim Palace's Adventure Playground, with giant slides, rope bridges, tunnels and a dedicated toddler area.
Alongside the dedicated activities, there is plenty for families to enjoy, so they can dip in and out of the sporting action.
Are dogs welcome?
Yes, dogs are welcome at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
There is also an on-site dog creche which will be manned by an experienced team. Dogs can be left for up to three hours while visitors enjoy everything on offer, and there's no need to book – just turn up on the day.
Sustainability is increasingly important for major events. What are you doing to minimise the environmental impact?
Sustainability is increasingly central to how we plan and deliver the event.
Hosting a major outdoor event in such an extraordinary setting brings a real responsibility to minimise our impact and leave the site in the best possible condition.
That means looking at everything from waste and recycling to transport, infrastructure and how we work with our suppliers.
We encourage visitors to think about how they travel to the event, while behind the scenes, we're continually looking for practical ways to reduce waste, use resources more efficiently and make more sustainable choices.
It's an area where there is always more we can do, and our aim is to keep improving year on year while delivering the world-class event that competitors and visitors expect.
After so many years at Blenheim, do you have a favourite memory?
It's very difficult to pick just one.
For me, some of the best memories are actually those moments when you can stand back briefly during the event and see the whole thing come together – world-class sport taking place against the backdrop of Blenheim Palace, packed crowds around the course and people genuinely enjoying their day.
There is an enormous amount of work behind the scenes to make those few days happen, so seeing the site full of spectators, riders, owners, volunteers, officials and all the different teams involved is always a special moment.
You realise what Blenheim means to so many people.
What keeps visitors coming back year after year?
I think it comes down to the atmosphere and the amazing setting.
There is always something new to explore, but you can feel assured that you will see extraordinary eventing year after year.
And finally, why should the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials be on everyone's autumn bucket list?
There is nothing quite like it, it offers everything you want from a great day out, in a spectacular setting.
It is the perfect excuse to get outdoors, soak up the Cotswolds and enjoy something genuinely special – whether you're a dedicated equestrian fan or simply looking for a memorable day out.
For anyone planning an autumn escape, the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials offers the perfect centrepiece to a long weekend in the Cotswolds, combining world-class sport with spectacular scenery, bucolic countryside, shopping, food and drink and endless family entertainment.
It also gives visitors a reason to explore beyond the event itself, with so many Cotswold villages, businesses and countryside within easy reach.
