2004 PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY

Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair has established itself as one of the highlights of the Scottish sporting calendar, attracting competitors and visitors from all over the world. This year it takes place from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th August and plans to build on the success of 2003 when it joined an elite group of five events in Britain operating at three star level or above.

Atholl Estates, who own and manage the event alongside the castle and about 150,000 acres of surrounding land are committed to the future development and growth of the horse trials and country fair, which last year attracted over 33,000 visitors over the four days who contributed £500,000 to the Perthshire economy.

Heading into their ninth year as title sponsors, Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd initial vision for Blair was to have a truly Scottish event with heritage and tradition, which also attracted an international audience. They have substantially increased their investment in the event over the last eight years and the partnership was recognised at the Scottish Sport Sponsorship Awards this year when Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials won the Daily Record Best Long-Term Sponsor Award.

The event has certainly achieved international coverage with four million viewers tuning into the 2003 Blair Horse Trials from across Europe, Australia and Japan as well as Sky Sports and BBC Scotland coverage in this country.

Another success story connected to the horse trials and country fair is the £30,000 raised for the Children’s Hospice Association for Scotland (CHAS), which became the official charity for the event in 2001.

It is anticipated that many of the world’s leading riders will be rushing from the Athens Olympics to Highland Perthshire in August to compete for a record first prize in Scottish eventing of £5000 at the 2004 Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

Director, Sarah Phillips said, “Our aim is to develop both the CCI*** and the CCI* so they become the first choice for competitors.” She went on to explain that both levels will continue to run with roads and tracks and steeplechase as the new “without steeplechase” rules do not come into effect until September 1st.

Developments to the CCI*** course which was newly built last year include two new combinations plus six new fences and course designer Ronald Alexander said, “Last year was our inaugural three star three day event and the course rode extremely well, but it was always the plan to make the course stronger in the second year.”

The CCI* course is currently undergoing major changes from course builder Irvin Bruce with six new feature fences and significant changes to both water jumps.

The other equestrian events which run alongside the horse trials over the four days have also grown in stature. The popular Highland Pony, hunter, BSJA and pony club games competitions will be joined this year by the National Pony Society Scotland Finals Show.

While there is no doubt this is one of the very best sporting occasions to be found north of the border, the event puts a strong emphasis on providing a family day out. The Country Fair on Saturday and Sunday is packed with arena displays and demonstrations and there are plenty of “come and try” opportunities for both adults and children.

The popular Chariots of Fire display team is back this year on Saturday while the Golden Lions Freefall Parachute Display Team will be dropping in to the main arena over the weekend.

Amazing shopping opportunities abound at the 250 or so trade stands, while the Bowmore whisky tasting has proved so popular for the last few years that “tutored tastings” have been included in the programme for this year, where, for a small donation to CHAS, visitors can enjoy the ultimate Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky experience.

Further information is available from:

Atholl Estates Office, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, PH18 5TH.
Tel: 01796 481543. Fax: 01796 481455 or email: info@blairhorsetrials.co.uk

Erika Hay, Press Officer, Earnpark, Easter Rhynd, Perth, PH2 8QE.
Tel: 01738 813176. Fax: 01738 812823 or email: E.Hay@bosinternet.com

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