BLAIR CASTLE HORSE TRIALS TO SUPPORT BHS SCOTLAND IN 2008

BHS Scotland has been chosen as the nominated charity for the prestigious Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair in 2008.

The event takes place from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th August this year at scenic Blair Atholl in Highland Perthshire and is expected to attract crowds well in excess of 40,000.

Previous charities to have benefited from the horse trials include Riding for the Disabled and the Equine Grass Sickness Fund, with thousands of pounds raised each year through collections, displays and auctions.

BHS Scotland is the Scottish Branch of the British Horse Society overseen by an independent Scottish Committee that has its own Scottish constitution and manages its own finances. It has a membership of over 4500.

The Scottish Committee consists of representatives of twelve regional committees. This means that, in every postcode area of Scotland, there are enthusiastic, willing and informed volunteers who help deliver the Society’s work. In total this covers the areas of access, approvals of equestrian establishments, competitions, education, exams, Riding Clubs, safety, training, and welfare.

Chairperson for BHS Scotland, Lorraine Young said, “BHS Scotland is honoured and delighted to be the 2008 benefiting charity at the prestigious Blair Castle International Horse Trails. Blair is Scotland's biggest equestrian event and this is a huge opportunity for us to showcase all the partnership arrangements we use to improve the lives of Scottish horses and ponies. Our safety, access, welfare and training work is so often undersung so it will be good to use the event to further educate people as well as entertain and hopefully raise some money to allow us to further develop our work.

"We will be fielding a large team of BHS volunteers to help with the event as well as to represent BHS Scotland and we just know the event is going to be fun as well as hopefully fruitful, we are most grateful to the Blair team for the enthusiasm and support they are showing us!"

Among their plans for fund-raising at the Horse Trials this year, BHS Scotland hopes to hold lecture/demonstrations in the main arena each day with prominent British equestrians. There will also be course walks round the cross country with Olympic riders William Fox-Pitt and Lucy Wiegersma, also Ruth Edge and Caroline Powell to help educate and inspire future three-day eventers.

Plans are also afoot to involve both the RAF and Lothian and Borders Police and Trec in displays and demonstrations at Blair and Director of the Horse Trials, Sarah Phillips said, “We are delighted to be working with BHS Scotland to help promote the great work they carry out throughout Scotland. The additional displays associated with aspects of BHS Scotland’s work will bring an exciting new element to the event and we are very appreciative of the support shown by the RAF and Lothian and Borders Police.”

The annual sponsored Fun Run round the cross country course will take place again on Sunday and a left luggage tent will be available courtesy of BHS Scotland so that there is no need to lug purchases around the site all day.

For more information check out the website at www.bhsscotland.org.uk

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