BOWMORE BLAIR TO HOST NPS SCOTLAND FINALS

An NPS Competitor

Visitors to the Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair will have even more to enjoy at this years event which takes place from August 26th to 29th.

Scotland’s leading equestrian event is expanding to include the National Pony Society (NPS) Scotland finals on Friday 27th August. Spectators will have the opportunity to see some of Scotland’s top native show ponies in action in addition to the excitement of three star horse trials, showjumping, hunters and Highland ponies.

The Bowmore sponsored event has been held in the magnificent grounds of Blair Castle since 1989 and has grown over the years to include a diverse range of attractions and activities including a hugely popular country fair. Hosting a prestigious pony show is yet another string to its bow.

The finals have traditionally been held at The Scottish Horse Show on the second Saturday of August but NPS Scotland secretary, Alicia Hay pointed out some drawbacks to this and said, “The date and the venue made it very difficult for many of our Northern exhibitors due to the location and many of the Northern qualifiers only taking place days before the finals. It is hoped that the later date will allow all qualifiers time to prepare for the finals and hopefully encourage more qualifying rounds to take part in the North.”

NPS Scotland Chairman, Scott McGregor decided to approach Blair Castle as he felt the event, the date and the location were ideally suited to host the Championships. Horse Trials director, Sarah Philips said, “We are delighted to welcome the NPS Scotland finals to Blair. A top class pony show will add an extra dimension to the event which has already become one of the most popular in Scotland.”

NPS Scotland run a series of qualifying rounds throughout Scotland at some 18 agricultural and horse shows for the finals which include the NPS Scotland/Baileys Horse Feeds Open Ridden Mountain & Moorland Pony of the Year 2004; the NPS Scotland/Kilmannan Novice Ridden Mountain & Moorland Pony of the Year 2004; and the NPS Scotland/Scottish Countryside Alliance Mountain & Moorland WHP Pony of the Year 2004, which will qualify for HOYS 2004.

Running alongside the finals is a Qualifying Round for the Mountain & Moorland Ridden Championship at Olympia.

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