Woodstock, England – The Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is set to host elite eventing combinations September 11-14 in a competitive CCI3*, as well as in eight- and nine-year-old CIC3* competition. The U.S. will have four shots at claiming top honors in the CCI3* this week, as a group of promising combinations headlined by USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipients, Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn, look to showcase their talents.

Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) began riding Tom Tierney and Simon Roosevelt’s Fernhill Cubalawn this summer, but the pair has quickly forged a partnership. In their second competition together, they were victorious in the CIC2* at the Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials in July and then went on to finish second in a competitive Advanced division at the Millbrook Horse Trials. Before moving into the Olympic and World Championship veteran’s barn, the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding was campaigned at the three-star level by Alexandra Green.

Dutton will also ride Tom Tierney and Ann Jones’ nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Fernhill Fugitive, in Blenheim’s CCI3*.

Rounding out the American entries this weekend are Katherine Coleman and Jacob Fletcher. Coleman (New Orleans, La.) will ride her own 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, Courage Under Fire, while Fletcher (North Little Rock, Ark.) is set to ride his own, Frank Fletcher, and Fletcher Farms’ nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Atlantic Domino.

Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn will be the first U.S. combination in the dressage and heads down centerline on Thursday at 9:07 am BST, with Fletcher and Coleman going back-to-back in the afternoon at 2:00pm BST and 2:07pm BST, respectively. Dutton will then ride Fernhill Fugitive at 11:07 am BST on Friday.

By Helen Murray

Learn more about the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials here.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.