RECORD ENTRIES FOR BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS
One of Perthshire's biggest sporting events takes place next week at Blair Atholl when nearly 1000 horses and riders will descend on Blair Castle for four days of top competition.
The Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair kicks off on Thursday 27th August and runs through to Sunday 30th. Supported by EventScotland and Perth and Kinross District Council, last year it attracted over 45,000 spectators, while its reputation with competitors has led to a record entry this year.
Famous riders from all over the world have entered this year's event, including triple Olympic gold medal winner, Andrew Hoy from Australia and New Zealand's double Olympic gold winner, Mark Todd. Great Britain is also well-represented with William Fox-Pitt, Ruth Edge and this spring's Badminton winner, Oliver Townend.
Director for Blair, Alec Lochore said, “We have been inundated with entries this year and have had to split the CCI one star into two sections each with over 70 runners. Both the three star classes have attracted an extremely high caliber of competitor and we are delighted to have 11 countries represented.”
Local riders will be out in force too and it is a wonderful opportunity for them to pit their skills against the professionals. Laura Grieve from Aberfeldy is one such competitor, possibly with the shortest distance to travel, while Will Murray from Perth, Sarra Mayberry from Stirling and Wills Oakden from Fife are up against some very stiff competition in the Scottish Open class.
This year Blair Castle Horse Trials inherited the Scottish Open Championships from Thirlestane. This is an advanced one day event which will be run over a shortened version of the three star course, and many riders are using it as a last run before September's European Championships in Fontainebleu.
British team members, Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz and last year's Scottish Championship winner, Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest are both using the well-respected track at Blair for a warm-up while Michael Ryan of Ireland and last year's CCI three star winner, Duarte Seabra from Portugal are doing the same.
The challenge for the team of organisers at Blair is fitting it all into the timetable and Alec said, “Saturday is going to be a fantastic day for spectators with cross country running from 9am to 6pm. We are also running the first one star section of cross country on Friday afternoon.”
While late entry competitors are being turned away, the same is true for trade stand holders who are trying to obtain a last minute spot. The tented village is full to capacity with nearly 200 separate trade stands including an extended food hall this year which has six extra vendors, including Shaw Meats, famous for their kangaroo pies!
Among the equestrian activities which include hunter and pony shows, BSJA and pony club games, the Bruadar Country Fair has it's own arena on Saturday and Sunday where all sorts of fascinating demonstrations and displays are taking place including for the first time a medieval falconer and a search and rescue dog display.
For those travelling from the south, the good news is that the Horse Trials have been assured that there will be no delays on the A9 at Bankfoot.
Blair Castle International Horse Trials & Country Fair
Atholl Estates Office
Blair Atholl
Perthshire
PH18 5TH
Tel: 01796 481543