Bosses at Blenheim Palace say the 18th Century stately home is still a viable venue for major events, despite the cancellation of another high-profile fixture at the weekend.

The hugely popular Blenheim International Horse Trials was a washout on Saturday and Sunday after heavy rain made the competition too dangerous.

More than 15,000 people had been expected to enjoy a weekend of equestrian competition with showjumping stars such as the Princess Royal's daughter, Zara Phillips.

The cancellation comes after Woodstock's Town Mayor called for future Game Fairs at the palace to be halted — unless steps were taken to avoid traffic chaos caused by the event.

Meanwhile a sponsored trot for the Abingdon Riding for the Disabled Association to be held on Friday has had to be scrapped for the second year running due to waterlogged grounds at Blenheim.

The cancellations cap a miserable year for palace events, which started when 500 competitors in the OX5 Run in aid of the Oxford Children's Hospital were left out in the cold because of April snow storms.

Horse Trials director Mandy Hervieu said the washout had cost them a "significant" amount of money, although the event was insured.

She said: "We're absolutely devastated. We had been working all night every night for two weeks to make sure the course was perfect, but we can't put people's lives potentially at risk.

"The ground went from being wet to very skiddy."

"We had some riders in tears because they felt so sorry for the work we put in.

"But if anybody had injured themselves or worse and we hadn't felt the conditions were safe I don't think we could have ever forgiven ourselves."

It is the first time in 20 years the event has been cancelled but organisers are confident it will be back next year.

Organisers have said anyone with a ticket for Saturday or Sunday's event will receive a full refund.

Palace spokesman Hanna Payne said: "The palace is still a great place to hold events — we have just been really unlucky with the freakish weather this year.

"The horse trials had to be cancelled. However, it is the first time the event has been cancelled in 20 years."

The Oxfordshire Classic Car and Motorcycle Show is set to go ahead at the palace on Sunday, as dry weather is forecast and the ground is expected to dry out in time.