BOWMORE BLAIR CASTLE HORSE TRIALS TAKES PRIDE OF PLACE AMONG SCOTTISH EVENTS

Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair can now officially pride itself on being one of the very best events for visitors, not only in Perthshire, but in Scotland.

The 2005 event takes place, as usual, in the magnificent grounds of Blair Castle, Blair Atholl from August 25th to 28th and will include a huge display of entertainment, from the excitement of the horse trials to a spectacular equestrian stunt team and come and try Country Fair activities.

Once again the 2004 event boasted a record attendance of 35,000 people on the four days, nearly 800 of which came from overseas. The number of visitors which descend on the normally sleepy village of Blair Atholl and the surrounding area on the weekend of the trials represents a huge boost to the local economy.

An independent survey conducted last year calculated the spend on accommodation and food alone in the local community as over £1 million, with 94% of visitors planning to return to the event.

This is the final year of Morrison Bowmore Distillers successful ten year sponsorship which has seen the event grow in both size and prestige. During this time Blair Castle has firmly established itself with competitors as a top class three star three day event – one of only three in Great Britain – and has earned acclaim from many leading international riders. It also holds a special place in the hearts of many non-horsey visitors who come year after year to enjoy the Country Fair and shopping opportunities.

New plans for the three star course this year include removing the roads and tracks and steeplechase phases. Director, Sarah Phillips said, “We have decided to run the short format because competitors at the top end of the sport feel that this is the way eventing is developing. This has allowed us to take out one of the loops on the more hilly terrain and replace it with a new loop at the second water.”

The one star however will continue with roads and tracks and steeplechase as again, after consultation with riders, they felt that at this level, this type of competition provides a good education for both horse and rider.

Sarah described some of the developments planned for the three star course which has a distinctly Scottish flavour. She said, “Course designer Ronald Alexander has come up with a new combination of stone walls and a haggis! We will also have a fence designed to look like a yacht sponsored by Dutch boat-building company, Moonen.”

She continued, “In fact scattered among the traditional Scottish fences made totally with materials from Atholl Estates, there will be a global mood with fences sponsored by companies such as United Arab Emirates Equestrian.”

Although many spectators come to Blair Horse Trials to see their old favourites such as falcons, Duck Commandos, showjumping and hunters, they will be enthralled by some new attractions such as the Rockin’ Horse Equestrian Stunt Team on Saturday and Sunday. New for the kids in 2005 will be a climbing wall, pirate ship and playground.

As always the shopping is impressive, and the fact that many items on sale in the tented village are only available at a few select country fairs and shows in the UK, is reflected in last years £1.8million spend on the 200 plus trade stands.

New stands for this year include contemporary animal and original art from Angela Davidson, Theault horseboxes and trailers from France, VW four-wheel-drive and T M Lewin shirt makers. Add this to the already vast array of clothing, jewellery, furniture, art and saddlery and you have a shopping experience second to none.

The food hall has developed into a popular addition to the showground in recent years and saw the launch of the successful Atholl Glens organic brand last year. They will be back in 2005 with their selection of home-grown organic beef and lamb, while locally grown strawberries and raspberries will go down well if the weather is hot. The Really Garlicky Company, Highland Coffees and Cathellan Fine Food and Gifts are all new additions to the marquee.

The Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair kicks off on Thursday 25th August with dressage and a top class hunter and Highland Pony show. On Friday spectators can enjoy more dressage while the National Pony Society (Scotland) holds its finals show for native ponies and the two busy showjumping arenas get going on the first of three days. Saturday is of course cross-country day and also sees the first day of Country Fair activities, while the showjumping finale and prize-giving on Sunday are accompanied by more Country Fair and main arena entertainments.

All in all the Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair offers something for everyone on the August bank holiday weekend. Tickets are now available from www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk with discounts for advance bookings.

Further information is available from the website – www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk or from The Horse Trials Office, Atholl Estates, Blair Atholl, PH18 5TH - Tel: 01796 481543; Fax: 01796 481455 or email: info@blairhorsetrials.co.uk or from 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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