This year Blair Castle is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a FEI International Event. Horse trials have been taking place at Blair Castle since 1977, but it wasn’t until 1989 that the venue hosted the first three-day event to be held in Scotland. None of these events would have run without the time and skills generously given by hundreds of volunteers from across the UK and from mainland Europe.
The 2019 horse trials takes place from 22nd to 25th August and will feature both the well-established four international eventing classes and the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival, which made its debut at Blair last summer.
Five coveted titles will be contested, from Scottish 90cm and 100cm Champions to Scottish Novice, Intermediate and Open Champions. Additionally Blair will host a raft of showing classes including Highland Pony and Hunter Showing classes, the NPS Scotland Showing Finals, Pony Club mounted games and British Showjumping.
Then there is the popular Country Fair and children’s entertainment. Land Rover Blair Castle International isn’t just about horses, there is plenty to appeal to all members of the family.
Finally, of course, Blair is renowned for its shopping. Over 220 trade stands, including those in the large food hall, offer something for all tastes and budgets, from fine art to fudge, jewellery to gin. Persie Gin is our new drinks sponsor and its gins are well worth sampling. Tickets to the charity gin tasting evening on the Friday evening of the trials will be on sale soon, the proceeds from which will go to our 2019 Charity, Riding for the Disabled Scotland.
Mobility scooters are available but should be pre-booked through www.eventmobility.org.uk.