SPECTACULAR ENTERTAINMENT AT THE BOWMORE BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS AND COUNTRY FAIR

Visitors to this year’s Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair, from 25th to 28th August, will be treated to some spectacular arena displays from the Rockin’ Horse Equestrian Stunt Team and the West Highland Heavy Horse Centre.

Trained by Russian Cossack riders, Guido Louis has been stunt riding for over 20 years and will wow spectators with his daring display of climbing under his horses belly at full gallop and standing astride two horses while jumping.

Other members of his Rockin’ Horse team will jump through paper walls and even fire walls, while beautiful, highly trained Andalusian and Lusitano horses will stun viewers with their grace and agility. The display will take place in the main arena on both Saturday and Sunday.

Also on Saturday a completely different type of horse will take to the main arena. Visitors will be forgiven for thinking a small earthquake is taking place at Blair Castle, as eight heavy horses come galloping into the arena with riders from the West Highland Heavy Horse Centre in Skye.

Clydesdales are more likely to be associated with pulling a dray or a plough, but Annie Rose recognised their potential for riding and now runs a riding centre on the Sleat Peninsula where everyone from beginners to experienced riders can enjoy one of Scotland’s most scenic areas from the height advantage of a 17.2hh Clydesdale.

She said, “Clydesdales are great riding horses, they have surprised many customers by popping a log in the woods or racing on the beach.” Demonstrations are a new enterprise for Annie and her team but galloping and jumping Clydesdales at Blair should attract of few gasps of surprise from the audience.

In the Country Fair Arena displays include the new Clatto Clan Flyball Team which is described as, “an adrenalin-fuelled canine sport.” It involves teams of four dogs racing up the arena and jumping small hurdles to trigger a box releasing tennis balls. The ever popular terrier racing, duck herding and falconry are also taking place alongside the elegant Scottish Side Saddle display team.

All this in addition to a world standard three day event, top class showjumping and an array of showing classes including hunters, Highland Ponies and native ponies. The Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair offers something for everyone.

Further information is available from the website at www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk

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