DEFENDING champion Aoife Clark will miss this weekend’s Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials due to injury, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

The Irish rider, who is based in Middle Barton, broke her collar bone after a fall at Burghley last weekend.

Oxfordshire’s Izzy Taylor has also been forced to withdraw from the competition after her horse, Orlando, picked up an injury in training.

But Thame-based Lucy Jackson will be looking to build on a promising showing at Tattersalls in May with Bosun II as she makes her first appearance at Blenheim since 2011.

Jackson and Bosun II came fifth in the CIC three-star event earlier this summer.

Blenheim regularly attracts some of the top names in equestrianism and a host of leading figures will compete again this year.

William Fox-Pitt, Tina Cook, Oliver Townend and Nicola Wilson, all of whom represented Britain at this year’s World Equestrian Games in Normandy, have their eye on the coveted title.

Three-time champion Fox-Pitt will be reunited with Seacookie, the 15-year-old gelding he won on in 2012.

Pippa Funnell, who with four titles is the most successful rider in the 24-year history of the event, is looking to make up for her withdrawal from the World Equestrian Games last month with two entries in the feature class.

World No 2 Andrew Nicholson will hope to build on his unprecedented third straight win at Burghley, while runner-up Jock Paget and third-placed Sam Griffiths are also in action.

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