Rising Lions: The Blenheim Challenge Review

The first-ever Blenheim Challenge is in the books, and the Stars & Stripes have plenty to celebrate!

Nicole, Diarmuid and Annie are back to unpack a weekend that saw the Stars & Stripes defeat the Rising Lions 12.5–4, with head-to-head battles, Joker tactics and £50,000 in prize money bringing a whole new dimension to Blenheim.

From Oliver Barrett's brilliant week with Sandhills Briar to the pressure of jumping for £5,000 on the final day, the team reflects on the performances, personalities and moments that made the inaugural Challenge such a success.

Highlights

• How the Stars & Stripes secured their Blenheim Challenge victory.
• Oliver Barrett's career-best dressage and top-10 finish.
• The £5,000 show jumping head-to-heads and the pressure of delivering a clear.
• The young horses and riders who caught the team's attention.
• Jess Rimmer's Team Spirit Award and what the Challenge meant beyond the scoreboard.
• Why the team format, prize money and involvement of the grooms made this weekend feel different.

Plus, Nicole shares a few stories from behind the scenes, including Philip Dutton's Joker discussions, Tom McEwen's involvement with the Rising Lions and the live draws that kept everyone guessing.

Was this the start of something special for eventing?

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