BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS 2024
Away days on Atholl Estates Atholl Estates are committed to the environment, planting approximately 1.5 million trees in new native woodland creation over the next three years. Enjoy your next corporate event a Atholl Estates, whilst fulfilling your CSR needs. We can offer: • Meeting spaces - we have a variety of meeting rooms from our splendid ballroomto cosy library • Catering – from light, buffet lunches to grand gala dinners • Hedge Planting – work towards your corporate social responsibility goals, whilst strengthening and motivating your team • Accommodation - selection of accommodation options spanning the estate sleeping 2-20 guests Fo more information contact Emma Henderson: events@blair-castle.co.uk www.atholl-estates.co.uk 4 8 Shop thefullcollection at Stand 58 THE OFFICIAL BL AIR COLLE CT ION DESIGNED BY JOULES ST YLED WIT H JMC18553 Programme Advert 148x210mm.indd 1 12/07/2023 08:50 The value of investments can fal and you may get back ess than you invested RBC Brewin Dolphin s a rading name o Brewin Dolphin Limited. Brewin Dolphin Lim ed s authorised and egulated b he Financial Conduc Author Financia eg a eg y b t eg 1 L E 9BD. R iste d n E land nd Wale umbe 2135876 VAT umbe GB 690 8994 69 “Advice . Go od i n go od t imes Be tt er in b ad . ” Smart advice to help you make the right decisions for your financia future Call our Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen offices to arrange a free introductory meeting. Lindsay Arthurs 0131 225 2566 brewin.co.uk/edinburgh Tom O’Brien 0141 314 8179 brewin.co.uk/glasgow Ricki Garden 01224 267900 brewin.co.uk/aberdeen reDesi om oltaireDesignUnitedKingdom @voltairedesuk @VoltaireDesUK @voltairedesuk VoltaireDesign co @VoltaireDes gnUnitedKing @voltairedes @Vo ta reDes @voltairedes VisitStand 15 Block1 BlairCastle International HorseTrials Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials will be celebrating its final year this year. Record spectator and competitor numbers are expected with high demand for programmes. This is a prime opportunity to advertise and showcase your brand to Equine Enthusiasts
“Blair is what eventing is all about.”
● 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
OFFICIAL PROGRAMME FULL PAGE HALF PAGE £600 £330 PRICES
YOUR BRAND IN THE
A
ENTHUSIASTS
PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO ADVERTISE AND SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND TO EQUINE
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!”
WHAT IS BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS
Scotland’s leading equestrian event, Blair Castle International Horse Trials runs at the end of each August. Now in its 34th 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 22-25 August 2024.
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. With this being the last year at Blair Castle a higher attendance is expected along with people buying more programmes to keep as souvenirs. Attendees tend to be loyal of those it sees taking an interest and supporting the events they attend. So with nostalgic repeat readings they will have repeat exposure to your brand.
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)
to It’s time www.relynegi.com your horse’s gastric health re th in k www.cairngormgin.com Nestled in a valley beneath the wild and breath-taking Cairngorms Mountain Range in the Highlands of Scotland. We passionately distil and bottle our small batch premium spirit using only the finest botanicals and crystal-clear water from the River Spey. Bringing you Cairngorm Gin… “From our hearts to your home” Scan Here To Book And Find Out More www.perth-races.co.uk Experience The Galileo Restaurant 11th, 27th & 28th September From £132pp #GN KFam ily The Finest Handmade Kilts&Highlandwear www.n icol son kiltm ake rs.com Mad e- To-Mea sure |H ir e @g or do nn ic ol so nk iltm ak ers LoullyMakes Handmade in Scotland www,loullymakesluxury.com @loullymakes Gifts&Accessories in thefinest Scottish tweeds &Tartans From Show-Stopping Lane are the digital marketing partners to help you builda yearround E-Commerce business to augment yourretail and show sales Rosettes are great but to us, ROAS* is even better *ReturnonAdvertising Spend Just afew of our clients you might recognise: thelaneagency.com to Google Shopping 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
General Information
5 Welcome to Atholl Estates
7 Event Timetable 8 Facilities 9 Site Map 10 Meet the Blair Team
14 Thank You to our Volunteers
16 Full Blair Team List and Acknowledgments
18 Grilling the Chef - an interview with Alec Cruikshank
21 The Future of Equestrian Retail - meet two of our trade stands
35 Prince Philip Cup - Memories from 1963
36 Timeline of Blair Castle Horse Trials
39 Land Rover Experience Scotland
40 Thank you to our Sponsors
87 Lunar Eclipse & Hoofgang Experiences
104 The Highland Pony Society Centenary
127 General Conditions
IInternational Eventing
24 Governing Bodies
27 Eventing Explained
28 Phases & Scoring
29 Prizes & Trophies
32 Roll of Honour
42 CCI4* Dressage Test
43 CCI4*-L Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders
46 CCI4*-S Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders
52 CCI3*-L Dressage Test, Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders
58 CCI2*-L Dressage Test, Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders
68 CCI1*-INTRO Dressage Test, Cross Country Course and Runners & Riders
82 CCI-S P2* Dressage Test, Cross Country and Runners & Riders
IScottish Grassroots Eventing Festival
86 Introduction to Scottish Grassroots Eventing
88 BE100 Dressage Test, Runners & Riders
94 BE90 Dressage Test, Runners & Riders
IShowing and Additional Classes
102 Hunter Showing
103 National Pony Society Scotland (NPS) Showing
105 Highland Pony Showing
106 Pony Club Mounted Games
107 Ex-Racehorse, Veteran, Side Saddle, and Clydesdale Showing
108 British Showjumping Classes
IShopping
110 Shopping at Blair - Trade Stands Directory
117 The Blair Necessities – the Team’s top picks!
123 Catering & Bars - where to eat and drink at Blair
Cover photo: Nico Morgan
Contents
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Welcome to Atholl Estates
Firstly, I would like to say. what an enormous pleasure it is to welcome everyone back to the Defender Blair Castle Horse Trials, we love hosting this event and it’s nothing without you. The team here, led by Nicky Townshend, has worked incredibly hard as ever and I would like to thank them all, especially the volunteers and judges for their patience, dedication, and operational skills.
I would also like to thank our very loyal sponsor, Jaguar Land Rover; who have returned this year promoting Defender. We simply couldn’t host the event without the generous financial support of our many sponsors and it is extremely pleasing that we retain their support.
We are delighted to be championing Macmillan Cancer support as our official charity. They have a trade
stand here so please do say hello and discover more about what they are up to.
We all appreciate and admire the remarkable effort made by riders
and owners to keep their horses fit and ready for the demands of competing at Blair. One of the things we pride ourselves on at this event is that there are so many levels competing at one event, from children to Olympians and it is this spirit of competitive fun that we hope will inspire you.
Everyone on Atholl Estates really wants you to have a great time and we hope the food trucks, shopping, course walks, trips to the bars and parties are the perfect backdrop for a triumphant trials. Please do come and find out more about the Estate in our tent, we will be delighted to see you.
Good luck and warmest regards Bertie
Bertie Troughton, Trustee, The Blair Charitable Trust
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Eventing Explained
At Blair Castle Horse Trials, the focus of the competitions is the sport of ‘Eventing.’ This sport is the ultimate test of horse and rider combinations, often likened to a triathlon. Based on cavalry exercises, it combines the elegance of dressage, the precision of show jumping and the thrill of cross country with the riders being awarded a score in each phase. Animal welfare is a priority in the sport of Eventing so there are vet inspections before and during the event to ensure that horses are fit to compete. At all levels- if a horse or rider falls, they’re eliminated from the competition!
Dressage is like dancing on horseback. The horse and rider must execute a set pattern of movements within an arena, and they are scored on the accuracy of these movements. Each movement is scored out of 10 and the mark is converted to a percentage. This percentage is then converted to a number of penalty points, with one penalty being awarded for every mark below 100 that the pair receives. A dressage score of 70%, therefore, converts to 30 penalty points. As the level of competition increases, the movements increase in difficulty- like how ballet or piano gets harder as you move up the grades.
Then, there are two jumping phases. In show jumping, the horse and
rider must navigate a short course of 10-20 fences within an arena. There is a maximum time that the course should take to complete, referred to as the ‘time allowed.’ These fences are brightly coloured and they will fall if the horse hits them. The number of fences, height of the fences and the difficulty of the course will increase with each level of competition. Here, 4 penalties are given for knocking a fence, 4 penalties for the first refusal (if the horse stops before the fence), and 0.4 penalties are given for every second that the rider requires to complete the course after the ‘time allowed’. A second refusal or a fall will result in elimination.
Cross country is a real test of bravery and skill! The horse and rider must navigate a course of obstacles set over variable terrain and several miles. They aim to complete the course as close to the ‘optimum time’ as possible, to avoid receiving a 0.4 penalty for every second outside the permitted time.
They must navigate solid obstacles often including steps, water jumps, drops and ditches. At every fence, they must pass through a red and white flag, keeping the red flag on the right-hand side, missing a flag can result in 15 penalties. A rider may attempt an obstacle again if the horse refuses, misses the obstacle or they need to turn a circle, but this will result in 20 penalty points. A second attempt will result in 40 penalty points and the third will result in elimination. Dangerous riding can result in 25 penalties or elimination. Some fences contain a ‘frangible device’ meaning that the fence will partially collapse on impact to reduce the risk to the horse and rider- triggering this device will result in 11 penalties and cost Oliver Townend the lead last year! As with show jumping- the difficulty, length of the course and the height of the fences increases with the level of competition.
The winner is the horse and rider combination with the lowest score at the end of the event.
Why are there so many classes?
There are classes at Blair that cater to all levels of eventer, from amateurs at their first major competition through to professional athletes.
Blair hosts one of only three 4* events in the UK, and the only 4* event in Scotland, and acts as a qualifier for the Olympics, attracting riders from around the globe!There is only one level above 4*
The jumps at Blair range from 90cm to a towering 120 cm and include jaw dropping water jumps, staggeringly steep drops and thrilling deep ditches.
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Phases & Scoring
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 both demonstrate their ability 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 42.
Show Jumping
CROSS-COUNTRY
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 43.
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
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 cross-country 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 cross-country phase
must hold their nerve and jump the final round of the competition to reveal the final standings!
Every second in excess of the time allowed 0.4.
Exceeding 24 points during test Compulsory retirement
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
an obstacle in
wrong order Elimination
before
Elimination
Jumping
the
Starting
bell
Failure to pass between
on
obstacle
Activating a frangible device 11 Dangerous riding 25
both flags
an
15
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Land Rover Experience Scotland
Experience an unforgettable adventure at Land Rover Experience Scotland and drive off-road through the beautiful landscape of Highland Perthshire, conquering challenging terrain, gravity defying obstacles and impressive side slopes on a Half Day, Full Day or Corporate Experience.
Guided by expert instructors, you’ll tackle the specially-designed vehicle assault course in Dunkeld and drive challenging off-road tracks through a 300-year-old forest where you can spot lots of local wildlife along the way.
The Full Day Experience takes you up into the hills for the ultimate test drive on private off-road
tracks through stunning scenery. Combining excitement with fun, you’ll learn essential off-roading techniques, vehicle handling skills and how to navigate challenging terrain with confidence. Rest assured, you’ll be in capable hands throughout your experience as your instructor will guide you over every rut and rock. Each Experience is for up to 3 drivers.
The fun isn’t limited to the adults! Let the kids take the driving seat with a Young Off-Roader Experience for 11-17 year olds. Driving a dual-controlled Range Rover Evoque, junior drivers get to
tackle similar obstacles, including the ever-popular water drive. Young Off-Roader is open during weekends and school holidays and each Experience can be shared with a sibling or friend.
Book your next adventure now!
Land Rover Experience Scotland
Butterstone Loch Dunkeld PH8 0HH
landrover.co.uk/ExperienceScotland info@landroverexperiencescotland.co.uk 01350 727 720
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CCI3-L RUNNERS & RIDERS
301 Casey Webb, CECIL BREADY 164cm Bay Gelding aged 11
302 Katey Cuthbertson, Owned by The Hon Finn Guinness ISIS 154cm Bay Mare aged 10
303 Rosie Fry, Owned by Mr Richard Fry ARISE CAVALIER 167cm Brown Gelding aged 14 4th in the 3*L here in 2021
304 Susie Berry, Owned by Miss Kerry Smith, Miss Rhian Smith, Miss Kim Franklin IRENE LEVA 167cm Bay Mare aged 10
305 Indie Vaughan-Jones, Owned by Miss Indie Vaughan-Jones ALL OVER AT MIDNIGHT 164cm Bay Gelding aged 8
306 Kirsty Hetherington, Owned by Mrs Kirsty Hetherington TIMELESS CRUSADER 162cm Bay Gelding aged 9 Dougie has previously competed in the 2* at Blair jumping a double clear to finish highest climber after dressage. He loves the hills at Blair and is here supported by top groom (husband) Jack and baby Ollie.
307 Rachel Williamson, Owned by Mrs Sarah Williamson MONBEG REBEL 164cm Chestnut Gelding aged 7
308 Meghan Healy, Owned by Miss Amelia Leeming OVERIS CAVALIER 165cm Bay Gelding aged 9
309 Katie Magee, Owned by Mrs Angela Hislop AGADIR GANO 163cm Bay Gelding aged 7
310 Rosie Alcorn, CHRYSANTHOS 163cm Bay Gelding aged 8
311 Rose De Montmorency, BIKINI 162cm Brown Mare aged 10
312 Matthew Heath, Owned by Miss Pippie Polson, Mrs Clare Davis GRC SAMURAI 163cm Bay Gelding aged 8
313 Shaun Murray, Owned by Mr Shaun Murray COOLEY TOPGEAR 165cm Bay Gelding aged 8 Trained by Wills Oakden.
314 Morven Pringle, Owned by Mr Ernest J Jamieson SOMETHING CLASSICAL 167cm Bay Gelding aged 12
315 George Bartlett, Owned by Sir John Peace CONPIERRE 167cm Bay Gelding aged 16
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Shopping at Blair
Our 2023 shopping village is bigger than ever!
Our site is bursting at the seams with approximately 200 trade stands for you to peruse. From saddles to soap. Martingales to macaroons, there is something for everyone!
We also have a fantastic range of catering options and a food hall jam packed with delicious dishes to tantalise your taste buds
To help guide you through the labyrinth of fantastic products for horse and rider, the horse trials team pull together a list of their favourite products to check out while you wander and roam through the tempting trade stands. These products are certainly not to be missed!
A visit to these spectacular stands ought to help you ‘forget about your worries and your strife’. They are our ‘Blair Necessities’!
TRADE STANDS- Arranged by stand number
DE BURGH WINE MERCHANTS 1
COME AND TASTE WITH US We are showing a handful of wines from our selection which are on sale today!
W.G TODD & SONS T/A TODDS OF KENDAL 2
Fantastic country products.
TOP STOCKS 3
Handmade riding stocks in cotton and silk, vintage stock pins, rider clothes and accessories, equine themes giftware and homeware.
THE GIN BOTHY 4
Scottish Gin/Rum Producer based in the Angus. We are the smallest Gin Producer with the Highest Awards in Scotland.
BLAIR ATHOLL DISTILLERY 5
Located in the heart of Pitlochry, at our exclusive Blair Athol Distillery trade stand, we are offering our full selection of rare single malts.
PINK BUFFALO IMPORTS 6
Garden Pots by Pink Buffalo
ZARA’S PLANET 7
A collection of the best handpicked riding adventures in the world - over 15 years of experience of riding holidays, UK & IRISH family-owned business.
EQUICOAT 8
Equi coat is a new generation equestrian riding coat. Stay warm and dry all year with Equi coat.
AZTEC DIAMOND EQUESTRIAN 9
Beyond a brand we believe that Aztec Diamond Equestrian is a lifestyle. Dressing women, equestrian and not, to look and feel their very best is at the heart of who we are.
DRIMEE HORSE SOLARIUMS 10
Drimee are designers and manufacturers of the world’s top selling Infrared horse solariums. Also, manufacturers of the EcoDRi Rug dryers.
FIELD & MOOR 11
Hand-crafted county boots, with character, styling and comfort in mind designed for the fields. Selection of House of Cheviott socks.
OLIAMI 12
Scottish independent retailer championing sophisticated slow fashion.
HORSE SCOTLAND AND MEMBER BODIES 13
Horse Scotland and Member bodies sharing an interactive update on activity in Scotland and sharing current topical updates from the Equestrian Sector in Scotland BLISS
Premium quality, triple dust extracted, chopped rape straw bedding. The ideal solution for horses with respiratory issues.
VOLTAIRE DESIGNS
Chic sports saddles, handmade in France; designed for the forwardthinking rider who demands style and substance.
SPIRIT
Spirit of Wood is situated in the beautiful hills surrounding Aberfeldy. RIDING FOR THE DISABLED
Information, advice and display about riding, carriage driving, vaulting and activities provided at RDA groups across Scotland. Sale of cards and gifts. Daily prize draw.
The BHS is the largest and most influential equestrian charity and membership organisation in the UK. We exist to protect and promote the interests of every horse, the equestrian community and everyone who simply has an interest in the wellbeing of equines.
Urchin Clothing Since 1998
British made sustainable clothing from certified sustainable organic fabrics. Live life in colour!
Hiho specialises in stunning silver and gold jewellery with exclusive designs of equestrian and country style.
Full range of high quality clothing and accessories by thomas & co
See all the latest products from The Official Lemieux Store, New colours new designs for horse & rider with special offers and more.
A great range of products from one of the leading Uk online retailers.
14
BEDDING
15
OF WOOD 16
17
BHS 18
CLOTHING 19
URCHIN
HIHO 20
JAGUAR LAND ROVER 21 THOMAS & CO 22
23
HORSE DIRECT - LE MIEUX
VALLEY LTD 24
HOPE
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