Entries are strong for the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival, providing lower level competitors the chance to compete in front of the iconic Blair Castle, shoulder to shoulder with the professionals.
A new CCI1*-Intro competition is being trialled, with close to 100 combinations already entered, and there has been a recent addition to the schedule – a Home Pony Team International, riders tackling the new CCI1* track. This has come about following the disappointment of not being able to send a team to the FEI Eventing European Championship for Ponies in Strzegom this summer. Twelve combinations have been selected to compete for Great Britain, with several teams from Ireland also expected.
Higher up the levels, two members of the British squad currently in Tokyo have made entries, as has past World and European Champion Zara Tindall. The Horse Trials organisers are working closely with British Eventing to ensure international riders can attend under the Elite Athlete exemption so they won’t have to quarantine when coming to Scotland.
Away from the eventing classes are British Showjumping and showing classes plus the highly charged and competitive Pony Club games – not forgetting the new Heart of the Highlands shopping area, showcasing local and small Scottish businesses, and Blair’s renowned variety of tradestands – less than normal due to restrictions, but still a wonderful selection of favourites.
A new Catering Director, in the form of Alec Cruikshank of Fonab Farm / Event Boxes Ltd, brings a fresh take on catering outlets and hospitality options as he plans to make Blair memorable not just for horses and shopping, but for eating too.
A limited number of tickets are still available, and can be purchased through the website – there will be no tickets on the gate.