BLAIR CASTLE
INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS
2023
With Over 45,000 attendees, it is the perfect opportunity to showcase your brand to Equine and Eventing enthusiasts.
“Blair is what eventing is all about.”
BLAIR CASTLE HORSE TRIALS CONTINUES TO GROW YEAR ON YEAR OFFERING ATTENDEES:
● OVER 2,000 COMPETITORS
● NINE DIFFERENT EVENTING CLASSES, PLUS FOUR ADDITIONAL ARENAS WITH SHOWING, BRITISH SHOWJUMPING AND PONY CLUB GAMES.
● VARIETY OF EXHIBITORS AT THEIR RENOWNED SHOPPING VILLAGE
● ABUNDANCE OF OPTIONS TO EAT INCLUDING AWARD WINNING SCOTTISH & BRITISH STREET FOOD BUSINESSES
● A GREAT FAMILY FUN DAY OUT
SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND IN THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME FULL PAGE HALF PAGE £675 £375 PRICES
FEEDBACK FROM ADVERTISERS AND ATTENDEES
“Blair castle is one of the highlights of the year”
“We will be back next year.”
“We are already looking forward to next year and thank you once again.”
“Events like Blair are what Eventing is all about!”
Scotland’s leading equestrian event, Blair Castle International Horse Trials runs at the end of each August. Now in its 33rd year of international competition, we host national and international calibre eventing, NPS Scotland, British Showjumping, The Highland Pony Society, Hunter and Sunday Showing competitions as well as the Pony Club Games over the course of four days.
WHO ATTENDS BLAIR CASTLE IHT?
Over 45,000 Equine and Eventing enthusiasts annually.
WHEN IS IT PUBLISHED?
The programme is published and distributed at the event between 24-27th August 2023.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE VIEW THIS PUBLICATION?
The programme is available to pre-order and pick up or alternatively to purchase on the day at the event.
WHY SHOULD YOU ADVERTISE IN THIS PUBLICATION?
It gives your brand key exposure to this influential and often affluent market. Attendees tend to be loyal to those it sees taking an interest in and supporting the events they attend.
ADVERT SPECS
Full Page Ad -
Trim Size: 210mm
(Height) x 148mm (Width)
(Plus 3mm extra all round for bleed).
Type Area: 190mm
(Height) x 128mm (Width)
Half Page Ad -
Type Area: 92.5mm
(Height) x 128mm (Width)
(no bleed required)
WHAT IS BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS
Over the next few pages you will find some pages from last years programme to give you a taster of content and tone PLEASE CONTACT: LIAM HARRIS lharris@weatherbys.co.uk +441933 304783 +447917906881
Contents General Information General Information 7 Welcome to Atholl Estates 9 Event Timetable 10 Facilities 11 Site Map 12 Meet the Blair Team 16 Thank you to our Volunteers 18 The Blair Team and Acknowledgements 22 Scottish Equine Rescue Initiative 23 British Eventing Support Trust – One of our 2022 official charities 34 Timeline of Blair Castle Horse Trials 36 Thank you to our Sponsors 108 Equine Grass Sickness Fund – One of our 2022 official charities 111 Couture at the Castle – Blair’s historic fashion exhibition 137 General Conditions IInternational Eventing 25 Governing Bodies 27 All About Eventing 28 Phases & Scoring 29 Prizes & Trophies 31 Roll of Honour 38 CCI4* Dressage Test 39 CCI4*-L Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders 43 CCI4*-S Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders 50 CCI3*-L Dressage Test, Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders 58 CCI2*-L Dressage Test, Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders 69 CCI1*-INTRO Dressage Test, Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders IScottish Grassroots Eventing Festival 87 Introduction to Scottish Grassroots Eventing 88 SC BE90 Dressage Test, Cross-Country Course and Runners & Riders 95 SC BE100 Dressage Test, Cross-Country Course and Runners & Riders IShowing and Additional Classes 99 British Showjumping – A Spectators’ Guide 101 Hunter Showing 102 Highland Pony Showing 104 Pony Club Mounted Games 105 National Pony Society Scotland (NPS) Showing 107 Ex-Racehorse, Veteran, Side Saddle, Heavy Horse, and Clydesdale Showing IShopping 114 A Guide to Shopping at Blair 116 The Blair Essentials – the Team’s top picks! 124 Index of Trade stands 133 Index of Catering & Bars Cover photo: Rosalind Canter on Michele Saul’s Lordships Graffalo 3 www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk l blairhorsetrials l blairhorsetrials l BCIHT l #Blair2022
Your Perfect Wedding, at Blair Castle.
Let your dream wedding come to life on Atholl Estates. Choose a grand ceremony in Blair Castle, a true fairytale day or an intimate gathering for a carefully selected few in one of our lodges.
Holding your big day at Blair Castle is nothing short of something from a fairytale, with an unforgettable ceremony in the historic Library, a grand reception on the lawn and dancing in the enchanting Victorian Ballroom. Blair Castle captures the feeling of romance that very few venues can match.
For those looking for something more intimate, a carefully curated celebration with your nearest and dearest is on offer at Clachan by Ballintaggart. With a combination of accommodation for up to 12 of your loved ones, and a converted barn suitable for events for up to 30 guests, this secluded venue is the idyllic place to celebrate your special day.
Visit our website for more information or email weddings@blair-castle.co.uk.
www.atholl-estates.co.uk
FEI in 2019, as an update of the previous 4-level system, introducing a new one-star introductory level and additional requirements for the five-star level.
The international level of competition is known as Concours Complet International or CCI, and there are two formats, CCI-L for long format over three of four days, and CCI-S for short format over one or two days. The Olympic Games and FEI World Equestrian Games exist in their own special category, where dressage and show jumping are at CCI5*-L level, while cross-country is at the CCI4*-L level of difficulty.
All About
Eventing
Eventing, or Horse Trials, is the ultimate equestrian challenge, likened to an ‘equine triathlon’; it provides a comprehensive test of all-round ability for horse and rider and also tests the partnership between the two. Despite being called ‘three-day eventing’, the modern sport usually takes place over four days, as the dressage phase takes two days to complete. However, each horse and rider combination will only compete on three days in all three phases, with a rest day on one of the dressage days.
Eventing competitions are scored on a cumulative basis; this means that the winner will be the horse and rider combination with the lowest overall score after the three phases.
The sport evolved from the qualities necessary for a top-class military charger – steadiness and elegance on parade, the ability to gallop across country in battle, and then to continue with duties after a strenuous day. The first eventing competition was recorded in France in 1902 and it first appeared in the modern Olympics in 1912, though the required phases of the sport have changed a number of times since then. The requirements when eventing originated have now transformed into the three modern phases of the sport – Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping. In order to succeed, riders and
their horses must be highly skilled in all three disciplines.
National one-day events make up the majority of the British Eventing (BE) calendar, with more than 170 run throughout the season from March, for more than 15,000 BE members. Classes range from 80cm training classes to international championships, and the top-level five-star events, Badminton and Burghley. As horses and riders move up the levels, the difficulty and technicality of the phases increase. Riders can compete from the year of their 12th birthday and there is no upper age limit.
STAR DIFFICULTY RATINGS
International events are overseen by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and rated by stars indicating the level of competition, 1*-INTRO to 5*, which covers and exceeds the national 105 to Advanced levels. The current rating system was introduced by the
The CCI4*-L is Blair’s most testing track, with an optimum time of around 11 minutes. It provides a true test of stamina for both horse and rider over the unforgiving Scottish hills and is the only CCI4*-L in Scotland, and one of only three in the UK. The CCI4*-S class is slightly shortened but still maintains the high level of technicality. The CCI3*-L and CCI2*-L classes provide a true challenge for horses and riders at lower levels, and Blair’s timing towards the end of the eventing season makes it an aspirational venue for many competitors, who plan their season around qualification for this weekend’s international competition. With so many variables coming into play, from weather and ground conditions, to fitness and rider focus, it is always a spectacular four days of competition!
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Phases & Scoring
CROSS-COUNTRY
DRESSAGE
The first phase, dressage, takes place on the first and second day of the event, and is the only phase that doesn’t include fences. It is a test of balance, rhythm, suppleness, obedience and cooperation between the horse and rider. This is held in a 20 x 60 metre enclosed arena where the pair demonstrates their abilities in front of the Ground Jury, of which there are 3 members at CCI4*-L level, who are positioned around the arena, so they each see a different angle. Competitors must remember and ride the same set series of movements in the same order, known as the ‘dressage test’, between markers. There are different tests, varying in difficulty, for the different levels of competition.
In addition to a mark out of ten for each movement in the test, there are collective marks for overall paces, impulsion, submission, and the effect of the rider’s aids. Combinations which present as the most harmonious, working together in an effortless partnership, will get the top marks. The marks are added together, any penalties deducted and the average of the judges’ marks is shown as a percentage ‘good mark’, before being converted to a penalty score. See the Dressage Tests for Blair at the start of each star-rated section, starting on page 38.
Show Jumping
The second phase, cross-country, is unique to three-day eventing. It challenges the horse and rider’s physical fitness, bravery, problem-solving, and trust, and can prove to be extremely influential with some riders experiencing unplanned dismounts! The cross-country course consists of approximately 12–20 fences at lower levels, or 30–40 fences at higher levels; the longest course at Blair is around 6km long. An ‘optimum time’ is set for the course, calculated by measuring the course distance and working out the time based on speeds varying from 450m - 570m per minute, depending on the level of competition.
The course at Blair is particularly challenging owing to the number of gruelling climbs up the Scottish hills, meaning that both horse and rider must be at peak fitness to complete the course and avoid running out of energy before they reach the finish line. Each fence provides a different test, whether it is the boldness and scope required to clear the maximum dimension trakehner or the agility and accuracy necessary for combination fences. Routes of the cross-country courses at Blair can be found at the start of each star-rated section, starting page 38.
There are also a number of reasons a competitor may be eliminated, which concern the safety of riders, horses and spectators.
Usually the last phase, show jumping takes place in an arena, and tests the skills of both the horse and rider, including suppleness, fitness, and precision. Show jumping courses are a maximum of 12 – 15 jumping efforts, and must be completed within a time-limit. CCI4*-L level fences reach a maximum height of 1.25m, whilst this is much lower than for ‘pure’ show jumping, it is important to remember that event horses, trained to gallop over fixed timber, may have little respect for knock-down poles and, combined with their tiredness from the crosscountry phase the day before, it can make show jumping the most challenging and daunting phase for many event riders. Jumping takes place in reverse order of merit,
meaning the rider in first place after the crosscountry phase must hold their nerve and jump the final round of the competition to reveal the final standings!
Fault / Error Penalties Knocking down an obstacle 4 First refusal, run-out or circle at obstacle 4 Second refusal, run-out at obstacle 8 Fall of rider or horse Elimination Jumping an obstacle in the wrong order Elimination Starting before bell Elimination Every second in excess of the time allowed 1 Exceeding 24 points during test Compulsory retirement
Fault / Error Penalties Per second over the optimum time 0.4 Exceeding the time limit (twice the optimum time) Elimination First refusal, run-out or circle at obstacle 20 Second refusal, run-out or circle at same obstacle 40 Third refusal, run-out or circle at same obstacle Elimination Fall of rider or horse Elimination Error of course not rectified Elimination Failure to pass between both flags on an obstacle 15 Activating a frangible device (these allow fixed fences to collapse 11 to prevent the falls which most commonly lead to rider fatalities Dangerous riding 25
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Blair Castle Horse Trials Timeline
1989 – Blair Castle plays host to the very first three-day event in Scotland, following a series of successful one-day events. The event was organised by Iain and Liz Menzies.
1991 – The Country Fair shows this year include Dog Agility, Terrier Racing, Clay Pigeon Shooting, and Archery.
1992 – The Highland Pony Championship is held at Blair for the first time.
2005 – Three-day eventing takes on a new ‘short’ format, without roads and tracks or steeplechase.
2007 – The FEI Young Rider European Championship is held for the first time at Blair Castle. Team Great Britain is victorious!
2010 – William Fox-Pitt wins the CCI3* for the third time.
2013 – Blair Castle Horse Trials celebrates its 25th event!
2015 – The Longines FEI European Eventing Championships are held at Blair Castle.
2017 – The Highland Pony show included a HOYS qualifier for the first time.
2018 – Land Rover becomes the title sponsor. The Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival is held at Blair for the first time. Blair is the final leg of the Event Rider Masters Series.
1995 – The Horse Trials is run in-house by Atholl Estates for the first time.
1996 – The first FEI Junior European Championship is held at Blair Castle.
2002 – Foot and Mouth Disease breaks out around the United Kingdom – but the event is still able to go ahead.
2003 – Blair Castle becomes the first three-star three-day event in Scotland.
2020 – The Covid-19 pandemic causes all events, including the Blair Castle Horse Trials, to be cancelled to help reduce the spread of infection and save lives.
2021 – Owing to public health restrictions as the Covid-19 pandemic continued, a slightly smaller than usual Blair Castle Horse Trials takes place.
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333 Toots Bartlett, Owned by Miss Toots Bartlett
EQUADOR MW 163cm Black Gelding aged 12 First king format together
334 Sonya Cunningham, Owned by Miss Sonya Cunningham
TULLIBARDS DONT TELL MUM 164cm Chestnut Mare aged 8
8yo mare by Tullibards Bennys Legacy. Produced by rider since 5yo. Rider works fulltime in financial services, rides and competes around work. Bred by Hans Kuehnle. Competed in 7yo young horse final 2021. First time at CCI3*L.
335 Philippa Nixon, Owned by Miss Philippa Nixon UNDALGO DE WINDSOR 167cm Bay Gelding aged 14
336 Jack Mantel, Owned by Mr Jack Thomas Watson JACK DANIELS 172cm Bay Gelding aged 8
337 Ian Stark, Owned by Duchess of Devonshire
CHATSWORTH DIAMOND 167cm Grey Gelding aged 10 Old boy. Young horse!!!
338 Evangeline Gaskell, Owned by Mrs Lynsey Gaskell
HALCYON GRAF 165cm Bay Gelding aged 9 9yo gelding out of Grafenstolz. Completed 11 internationals up to 4*-S. Best result: 9th in U21 National Championships at Houghton International in the 3-L. Had a double clear in their first 4-S at Burgham.
339 Katie Alison Stephen, Owned by TARTAN CHILL 167cm Dapple Grey Gelding aged 15
340 Vittoria Panizzon, Owned by Mr Ian Robinson, Ms Dani Charleson-Gallacher
CHATTER ON 165cm Steel Grey Mare aged 9 Italian Air Force. New yard near Ledbury. 16th Beijing. Sponsors: Empire Coachbuilders, Ariat, Candioli Equine Supplements, the Husk, Pure Feeds, Equissage and Pariani Saddlery
341 Katie Magee, Owned by Mrs Angela Hislop
NELSON DE LA POMME 167cm Grey Gelding aged 9
Sponsored by Priory saddlery, Wow Saddles, Equine Veterinary Dentist, Foxberry Chasers
342 Morven Pringle, Owned by Mr Ernest J Jamieson
SOMETHING CLASSICAL 167cm Bay Gelding aged 11
343 Teresa Stokar, Owned by Miss Teresa Stokar
SOMETHING EXTRA 162cm Chestnut Gelding aged 9
344 Elizabeth Walker, Owned by Mrs Tina Walker KEC LANDSTRIKER 172cm Bay Gelding aged 12
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made by horseowners, for horseowners
Trade Stands
@REBELGD
Block 6 Stand 53
Bespoke and off-the-peg tweed clothing and accessories, as seen on Pollyanna Smith, Blair 2019 trot up, Best Dressed Lady. www.rebelgd.co.uk
A2B EQUESTRIAN SAFETY CENTRE
Block 5 Stand 46
Specialising in safety wear with the largest selection under one roof, all professionally fitted. KASK, KEP, Charles Owen, Champion and much more.
www.a2bequestrian.com
AARDVARK SAFARIS
Block 1 Stand 15
Tailored safari and beach holidays to Africa and the Indian Ocean, covering family holidays, riding safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs, honeymoons, walking safaris and beach flops. www.aardvarksafaris.com
ACTIVE BREAKS
Block 4 Stand 33
Selling Leki walking poles, paw print trousers, Rayzor sunglasses, umbrellas Aku walking boots and shoes.
AIRVALOCITY
Block 13 Stand 156
Airvalocity bring their premium mobile target range using replicas of weapons which are used in real tactical combat fire. Great fun for everyone!
ALBA BARREL CREATIONS
Block 6 Stand 54
Garden furniture and homewares handmade from recycled Scotch whisky barrels.
www.albabarrelcreations.co.uk
AMY BRITTON HARRIS TWEED® AND CORRIGAN COATS
Block 8 Stand 88
We produce a contemporary, sustainable Scottish product range using our heritage cloth, Harris Tweed®. Our newest more environmentally conscious range is manufactured with 100% recycled zips and woven labels. All paper labels are made from recycled coffee cups - even our polyester thread is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
www.amybritton.co.uk
www.corrigancoats.co.uk
AMY MILLER ILLUSTRATIONS
Block 13 Stand 155
Colourful, luxury, country homeware. Exclusivley illustrated and designed by artist Amy Miller. www.amymillerillustrations.co.uk
AMZ SADDLES LTD
Block 15 Stand 199
Premier bespoke British-made dressage and jump saddles, catering for both professional and amateur riders.
www.amzsaddles.co.uk
ANCORA EQUESTRIAN
Block 9 Stand 99
We strive to break the equestrian market with fashionable, practical but most importantly affordable equestrian clothing.
www.ancoraequestrian.co.uk
ANGELS DARE COCKTAILS LTD
Block FH Stand F1
Range of premium ready to drink cocktails, that are vegan friendly, contain no artificial ingredients, and blended to 10%abv.
www.angelsdarecocktails.co.uk
APT CAVALIER LTD
Block 8 Stand 86
Scottish clothing brand specialising in high-quality, slow-fashion, equestrian athleisure, with confidence built into every garment. Making you feel unstoppable every single day.
www.aptcavalier.com
AYR EQUESTRIAN LTD
Block 4 Stand 42
Extensive selection of all the leading brands including Ariat, Pikeur, Charles Owen, le mieux, to name a few, make sure to visit us for our show offers.
www.ayrequestrian.com
B.E BOUTIQUE
Block 10 Stand 106
Widest selection of hats to suit every budget; Champion, uvex, gatehouse, Kep, leisure, competition clothing and horsewear.
www.burnbankequestriancentre.co.uk
BADACHRO DISTILLERY
Block 13 Stand 153
Independent distillery producer of beautiful gins, vodka and Single malt whisky.
www.badachrodistillery.com
BAILEYS HORSE FEEDS
Block 8 Stand 66
Get expert, friendly feed advice, plus pick up some Tasty Treats for your horse!
www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk
BAMBOO MAKEUP BRUSHES
Block HH Stand 138
Bamboo make-up brushes.
www.bamboobrushes.com
BELLABLUBOUTIQUE
Block 9 Stand 100
We are a family fun business who specialise in quality affordable ladies clothing.
BERGHOFF WORLDWIDE GB
Block 15 Stand 188
BergHOFF Eurocast cookware is the latest technology in lightweight, fat-free, non-stick cookware suitable for hob and oven use, including induction.
www.berghoffgb.com
BETTALIFE
Block 8 Stand 87
BETTALIFE provide targeted nutritional support with high specification supplements for horses, dogs & humans. Using only the finest active ingredients, all developed and produced in the UK.
BLACK & LIZARS LTD
Block 14a Stand 167
Visit the stand to view Black & Lizars glasses, hear their expertise on eyecare & learn about their ongoing support to ophthalmologists & hospitals in Ukraine.
www.blackandlizars.com
BLAIR ATHOL DISTILLERY
Block 11c Stand 120
“Offering our Blair Athol expressions - produced just 7 miles away! In addition to some other exciting products.”
BLISS BEDDING LTD
Block 1 Stand 13
Premium quality, triple dust extracted, chopped rape straw bedding. The ideal solution for horses with respiratory issues.
BLUEROC DESIGN
Block HH Stand 125
BlueRoc handcrafts contemporary jewellery and original artworks.
BRUADAR
Block 16 Stand 200
A range of single malt whiskies, blended malt whiskies and a famous whisky liqueur.
BUCK & BIRCH
Block 10 Stand 111
Artisan producers of award winning wild spirits and liqueurs celebrating the exotic flavours of Scotland’s forests, fields, coastlines and hedgerows. Wilderness Refined.
www.buckandbirch.com
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