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Bumper entries – and new food and drink options

Entries for the eventing classes at this year’s FEI Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials have exceeded expectations, with nearly all classes full and carrying waitlists.

In light of this, there has been a slight change to the schedule and the four-star short format competitors will now run across country on the Sunday. This means cross-country action will be available to spectators three full days Friday through Sunday. In total over 400 horse and rider combinations are due to contest the international classes, with a further 300 running in the Scottish Grassroots Championships and national classes. The full provisional timetable may be found at www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk/timetable

The event also hosts a wide range of showing classes, National British Showjumping and Pony Club Games so there really is something for all equestrian enthusiasts.

Daily, season and weekend general admission passes are still available, with prices starting at just £15 per person for one day, plus parking. Alternatively, why not treat yourself to a VIP hospitality package, and enjoy access to the private garden area overlooking the main arena as well as a delicious three course lunch and forward parking.

If you don’t want to go the full monty with VIP hospitality, it is still possible to enjoy many of the benefits of Blair’s hospitality offerings. New for 2022 is The Blair Bistro, offering small/sharing plates in the Members marquee on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You do not need a Membership ticket to book dinner at The Blair Bistro, in fact you don’t even need a Horse Trials ticket as dinner sittings start near the close of competition for the day. You do, however, have to book ahead – full details are on the horse trials website www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk/hospitality

Also new for 2022 is The Old Nag Whisky Lounge where visitors can enjoy a speciality whisky bar with daily whisky tastings, presenting some of today’s top distillers and independent bottlers. The Old Nag is also the venue for the Charity Whisky Tasting in support of the Equine Grass Sickness Fund on the evening of Thursday 25th August from 7pm-8.30pm. Hosted by Ewan McIlwraith, owner of Robertsons of Pitlochy, it will feature a selection of whiskeys from selected distillers. Not surprisingly this is entrance by ticket only, tickets available here:https://www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk/the-old-nag-whisky-lounge/

Persie Distillery remains the official drinks sponsor and they are generously hosting a Charity Gin & Fizz Evening on Friday 26th August from 6.30pm-8.30pm in the Sponsors Marquee, again to raise funds for the Equine Grass Sickness Fund: raise a glass and raise some cash! Tickets are available via the Persie Gin Distillery page on the Blair Website or here: https://www.persiedistillery.com/product/blair-horse-trials-charity-gin-tasting/

If gin and whisky aren’t your thing, another suitably Scottish option is to enjoy dinner at the Castle. The Tullibardine Restaurant will be open in the evenings, from 5.30pm, offering a delicious menu for horse trials visitors to savour. Menu and booking details here: https://atholl-estates.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Horse-Trials-Menu_-Digital-.pdf

There are few more glorious places to be in the summer than the Scottish Highlands, and Blair Castle has to be one of the most beautiful locations – throw in world class equestrian sport, delicious food and drink options, and fabulous shopping and it is a week not to be missed!

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