COURSES REVAMPED AT BLAIR HORSE TRIALS

The Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair may not take place until August 26th to 29th 2004, but work has been continuing, especially on the cross country course, since February.

Overall there are 19 changes to the one and three star courses, which have been designed by Ronald Alexander and built by Irvin Bruce. Ronald explained, “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 first change for both courses is as early as fence four, the sawbench, which is being replaced with an updated version. Then fence six, the zigzag hedge has had poles added to the front and the hedge becomes a bullfinch for the three star.

One star competitors have a ditch followed by an arrowhead at fence seven with an alternative triple bar, while the three stars jump the arrowhead before the ditch. Irvin explained, “Both the new arrowheads have been frangilised for safety. The metal pins which hold the rails together are designed to collapse if the horse hits them. This prevents the horse from rotating and possibly falling.”

Recently retired Scottish Regional Director of British Eventing, Peter Crawfurd is know for his dry-stane walling ability and he was commissioned to build a new fence for the three star course. The result is a magnificent round Broch. These little fortresses are unique to Scotland and were built about 2000 years ago in the Orkneys and Shetlands as well as mainland Scotland. They were probably used to store food and grain and quite a few are still standing today. Peter’s Broch is solid stone with timber edging and is less than five feet in diameter. It is situated about one stride away from the Black House jump although numbered separately, so three star riders can circle if necessary before jumping it.

One of the most technical sections of the course is at the top of the hill where the three star ski jump has been completely rebuilt. This is followed by a new, very narrow palisade and hedge before the temple bounce for those brave enough to take the quick route. The one star riders do not have to face the frightening ski jump but they have two new log piles before the temple instead.

A new wall drop and palisade has been introduced for the three star horses before the Bowmore Water Splash, which stays the same for them, although an extra element has been added for the one stars.

The one star competitors have to tackle a leaf pit after the steps and are asked a much bigger question at Malcolm’s Lochan where after jumping into the water they have to negotiate an upturned digger bucket. If they don’t fancy that there is a very long alternative. The Irish bank has been replaced with a rider frightening trakehner with ramps on landing and take-off for the one stars.

All the timber for the fences is home-grown on Atholl Estates, with all the ground works and fence building undertaken by local people. Irvin pointed out that for a few years now all take-offs and landings are dug out, hard core put in the bottom then turfed so they do not become too deep and holding and the horses have confidence in their footing. He said, “Although Blair is a challenging and technical course, every care is taken to make it as safe as possible for both horses and riders.”

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