RECORD PRIZE MONEY FOR HORSE TRIALS

Ruth Friend and Matthew II celebrate their win

Event riders from around the globe will converge at Blair Castle in Perthshire on the August bank holiday weekend, to compete for a record amount of prize money for a Scottish three-day event.The Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair, which takes place from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th August 2003 becomes a three star event this year; the first ever horse trials of this level to be held north of the border and one of only three in Britain.

The upgrade from two to three star involves a number of changes, not least to the prize fund which now tops a massive £13,000 with £4000 going to the winner. The new event will be run alongside the popular, existing CCI* where first prize has been increased to £700.

A new CCI*** cross-country course is being designed by Ronald Alexander and built by Irvin Bruce in the spectacular surroundings of Scotland’s most visited historic home. The course will include a number of new features including the Bowmore water jump which will be based on the distillery and harbour on the Isle of Islay where Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced. Irvin is currently working on permanent take-off and landing pads at all 40 jumping efforts, which will be of great benefit in severely wet weather conditions. All the fences are constructed from timber grown on Atholl Estates which owns and runs the event. The horse trials, which have been run here since the late 1970’s when Princess Anne suggested to the late Duke of Atholl that Blair would be an excellent venue, are just one of the many enterprises undertaken on the 150,000 acre estate, which is the ancient home of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl.

Morrison Bowmore Distillers will be entering their eighth year as title sponsor and such is their commitment to Blair and the sport of eventing that they have entered into an agreement which will see their sponsorship run through to 2005. Mike Keiller, Chief Executive of Morrison Bowmore said, “We are delighted to support the progression of the Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair to become Scotland’s only three star three day event.
“As the major sponsor over the last seven years, we have seen the event grow in stature and success and our long term ambition and vision for the event and the Bowmore brand is shared by the management team in place.”

The event could not take place without the help and support of many sponsors and over 500 volunteers. House of Bruar, W B Grieve Groundworks and WH Malcolm have all given generous support over the years and continue to do so, while this year Land Rover will provide a fleet of official vehicles. Commenting on the three star accolade, Director of the Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair, Sarah Phillips said, “This is a real step up the ladder for us. It is where every event wants to be and it is just reward for the team at Blair who work hard to put together a professional and well-organised event. Blair Castle was the first three day event in Scotland – now it will be the first three star three day event!”

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