THOUSANDS will begin heading for Woodstock for the Blenheim Palace horse trials next week, with the magic of the Olympics certain to swell crowds at the international event.

This year’s Blenheim trials is to host an eventing qualifier for the London 2012 Olympics, and crowds well in excess of 60,000 people are expected over the four days.

The Oxford Times is again among the sponsors of the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, which runs from Thursday, September 8, until Sunday, September 11.

Organisers say they are anticipating the biggest crowds since Blenheim hosted the European Eventing Championships in 2005.

The Olympic qualifier event is being held for Africa, Middle East, South East Asia and Oceania.

Mandy Hervieu, event director, said: “Blenheim is one of the best three star events in the world and the terrain is quite hilly and demanding — so not unlike Greenwich.

“This makes us a natural stepping stone for those looking for Olympic selection. Indeed, teams from Australia, South Africa and Japan have yet to qualify for 2012 and will be looking to do so at Blenheim in our Olympic Team Qualifier. We have invested heavily over the last two years in order to put on two days of cross country, so Blenheim is one of the few events where spectators can come and see cross country action on both the Saturday and Sunday, and it is lovely to see that coming to fruition now.

“We expect the venue to be packed to the rafters with fans eager to see Olympic hopefuls perform so close to London 2012.

“There’s lots to see and do including some fantastic shops, displays and family entertainment.”

Blenheim, which began in 1990, is firmly established in the Eventing calendar attracting international champions. The venue has become synonymous with Olympic qualification. In 2003, Blenheim hosted the Asia-Pacific Championships as a qualifier for the 2004 Athens Olympics and a second Olympic qualifier in 2007 for the 2008 Beijing Games.

Canada, New Zealand, USA, Germany and Belgium teams are all already through to London 2012, alongside host nation Great Britain, following the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky last year.

But the likes of Australia, Japan and South Africa will be going all out at Blenheim to clinch Olympic qualification.

It means that as well as seeing the usual eventing stars competing at Blenheim, spectators will be treated to some of the best riders from outside Europe and North America, battling it out to qualify for the Olympic Games.

This year the event offers over 150 trade stands, a wide range of children’s entertainments, the Anthony Nolan Fun Run and a Sporting Bears classic car display. Riding for the Disabled Association has been named as the official charity for this year’s event.

For further details visit blenheim-horse.co.uk