Delivering impact at Blenheim: Coate PR behind the scenes

Oct 8, 2025

Another action-packed week wrapped up at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, marking our third consecutive year supporting the event with full-service PR, social media, and media operations. Working in close partnership with the organising team at Stable Events, Coate PR played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and visibility of one of Britain’s most prestigious equestrian fixtures.

Pre-event planning & press engagement

In the lead-up to the event, we worked closely with the FEI and International Equestrian Journalist Alliance, ensuring media feedback was welcomed and integrated into planning. We created and distributed a Media Information Pack to all accredited press, offering up-to-date details, helpful tips, and logistical guidance for their arrival on-site.

Our team delivered a comprehensive PR strategy – from securing editorial coverage and coordinating with British and European press. To managing videography rights around the FEI names event and designing all pre-event social media campaigns including influencer engagement.

A standout moment was hosting a Preview Day for media and sponsors, offering an exclusive look at the cross-country course designed by Captain Mark Phillips, as well as a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the scale and complexity of the event’s operations.

On-site media operations

During the event, Coate PR was embedded on-site, running a fully operational Media Centre that welcomed over 140 members of the UK and international press. We oversaw two mixed zones, a press tribune, and multiple press pens across the venue – all while managing real-time social media content production, live updates, and community engagement across platforms.

From influencer collaborations to sponsor support, editorial placements to on-the-ground logistics, our remit was broad, strategic, and hands-on – ensuring that every story told from Blenheim was as compelling as the competition itself.

At Blenheim, a comprehensive Media Information Desk was established to support attending and remote journalists. This hub provided essential resources including key timings, detailed press facility maps, remote photography request procedures, as well as access information for the main arena. To enhance real-time coordination, a dedicated WhatsApp group was created, allowing seamless communication and updates for all media personnel on-site.

Rider reactions were promptly captured in the Mixed Zone and uploaded instantly to the online Media Centre. This ensured that remote journalists had immediate access to fresh quotes and imagery, enabling timely coverage and engagement across platforms.

Each day concluded with press conferences, offering journalists the opportunity to pose questions directly to riders and Chef d’Equipe. These sessions were followed by a Video News Release from the FEI, designed to support global media coverage and amplify the event’s reach.

Our team comprised of:

April Coate: Press Officer
Kate Green: Competition Writer
Kim Forster: Media Centre Manager
Josephine Adams: Media Centre Assistant
Amy Powell: Mixed Zone and Press Conference Manager
Phoebe Cave: Mixed Zone Assistant
Flo Carter: Social Media Manager
Izzy Carolan Hall: Social Media Assistant
Josie Richards: Media Centre and Mixed Zone Assistant

The job doesn’t end here

After any event has taken place, we always provide a media coverage report. Which includes an insight into the preview day and analysis of the pre-event campaign work and social media analysis.

We pride ourselves on being adaptable and willing to take on whatever comes our way too!

Lastly, thank you to all the Stable Events and Coate PR teams who worked tirelessly in the run up to the event and throughout to make it happen. As well as our photographers Peter Nixon, Kirsty Pasto and Libby Law.