An international horse-riding championship - to be held in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock-- has received £275,000 in Lottery funding.

The award, from UK Sport, represents about 25 per cent of the budget for the European Eventing Championships horse trials, which will take place from September 8-11 next year.

The cash will help pay for a temporary bridge for eventers and more seating for spectators.

John Scott, director of major events at UK Sport, said: "UK Sport is delighted to be able to confirm its support of the 2005 European Eventing Championships.

"The event will generate a range of benefits, not least an increased profile for the sport, home advantage for the British riders and the opportunity to develop a force of volunteers and officials capable of running international events of this nature."

He added: "Blenheim already enjoys a formidable reputation thanks to the annual International Horse Trials.

"But the support of the National Lottery will be crucial in allowing organisers to deliver the level of event that one would expect of a European championships in a major Olympic sport.

"By introducing more seating, we will also be able to cater for the increased crowd numbers expected." The European Eventing Championships is a biennial event, attracting riders from more than 20 nations. It was last held in the UK in 1997 at Burghley.

At last year's event in Punchestown, Ireland, Great Britain was crowned European champions for the fifth time in succession and the 18th time since the championships began in the 1950s.

Peter Durrant, chief executive of British Eventing, the sport's national governing body, said: "The most rewarding aspect of this grant, which is essential, is not only the recognition of the great partnership between British Eventing and Blenheim by the UK's major sporting organisation, but it also undoubtedly reflects the health and status of eventing in this country."