David Evans and Gillian Kyle - Photo courtesy Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials
David Evans will design the CIC3* courses at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (8th-11th September) this year. He will produce two tracks – one for the well-established championship class for eight- and nine-year-old horses, and one for the final of the new Event Rider Masters series.
He will then take over the CCI3* course from Eric Winter after the 2016 event.
David is very well known in the sport of eventing for his course-building and his exquisite wood carvings, including at the 2015 European Championships at Blair Castle and the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong. His first CIC3* course at Burgham in Northumberland was very well received last month.
David said: “I’m really pleased to be appointed course-designer. Blenheim is a challenging place to design at, especially because it is a World Heritage site, but it’s really exciting to take charge and I am looking forward to it.”
Gillian Kyle, who will be the Technical Delegate at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in 2016, commented: “I have been very impressed with David’s courses, in particular his recent three-star track at Burgham. He knows the terrain at Blenheim like no other and I am sure he will put a new and interesting stamp on the event’s cross-country phase.”
Eric Winter has been in charge of Blenheim Palace’s courses for the past 10 years. He said: “I’ve had a great 10 years at Blenheim and am proud of my cross-country statistics here, with a very low rate of horse falls and a good number of clear rounds, with, in most years, around half a dozen of those making the time.
“I have really enjoyed working with David Evans and his team; we have been able to take frangible technology forward together and developed the very successful eight and nine-year-old CIC3* class, which was my idea.
“I understand the process of wanting to change designers and, while it is onwards and upwards from here, I will always be very fond of Blenheim.”
Eric Winter will step down after 10 years at the helm
