A seven-year-old pupil from Bloxham Church of England Primary School has won the inaugural Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials drawing competition.
Norah was named the overall winner for her drawing of a horse jumping over a high fence, submitted in response to the theme ‘Horses in Action’.
The competition was open to Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils aged between five and seven at primary schools within 10 miles of Blenheim Palace. Children were invited to create drawings inspired by the countryside, horses and outdoor adventure.
Seven-year-old Sophie and six-year-old Bea, both from Kitebrook Preparatory School, were highly commended by the judges.
The entries were judged by representatives from Stable Events, which organises the Horse Trials, including Event Director Katrina Midgley and Marketing Director Samantha Matthews, along with Blenheim Palace Managing Director of Estates Roy Cox and five-star eventer Simon Grieve.
The judges praised the creativity and imagination shown across the entries. Grieve said Norah’s drawing had captured the excitement of jumping, while describing the competition as difficult to judge because of the variety of entries.
Norah’s winning artwork will be displayed during the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, which takes place at Blenheim Palace from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 September.
Her classmates will also receive a special day out at the event, while families of all pupils who entered the competition will be offered discounted weekend tickets.
The competition was introduced as a way of encouraging local children to engage with the countryside and equestrian sport, while strengthening links between the Horse Trials and schools in the surrounding area.
Norah said she had not expected to win and was “excited and very happy” about the result.
The Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials returns to the Oxfordshire estate from 17 to 20 September, featuring international eventing alongside family activities, demonstrations and exhibitors.
