Event Name: Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials
Location: Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland, PH18 5TH
Date: 22nd – 25th August
Organiser: Alec Lochore
Entries Open: July 17th
Classes: CCI-L 4*, CCI-L 2*, CCI-L 3*, CCI-S 4*
Find out more: Blair Castle International website
An Eventful Life is filming all competitors on cross country at
Blair Castle International – find out more here
The Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials, Scotland's leading equestrian event, will run from 22-25 August 2019 and once again takes place against the stunning backdrop of Blair Castle and the Scottish Highlands. In addition to the International event classes the event also hosts the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival, British Showjumping and showing classes.
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. The 2019 Horse Trials 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. There is also the popular Country Fair and children's entertainment as the Land Rover Blair Castle International isn't just about horses, there is plenty to appeal to all members of the family.
The perfect place to buy some Scottish tweed (and wear it!)
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 the 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 their 2019 Charity, Riding for the Disabled Scotland.
Discounted advance tickets can be bought via the Blair website with General Admission tickets starting at £12.
Blair’s hills require a fit horse and rider but the courses have been changed significantly in recent years to incorporate flatter areas of the parkland. The tracks run over free-draining parkland turf, are well built and presented with a mixture of permanent and portable obstacles and feature fences include two large water complexes.
Check out last year’s course as Tim Price and Pat’s Jester head towards their win in the CIC3*
