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Thousands descend on Perthshire for horse trials

The Blair Castle International Horse Trials attracted thousands of competitors and spectators to Highland Perthshire.
The Blair Castle International Horse Trials attracted thousands of competitors and spectators to Highland Perthshire.

Thousands of people converged on Highland Perthshire at the weekend for the Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

Organisers were expecting around 45,000 people to attend the premier equestrian event over four days.

Final figures are not yet known but advanced ticket sales, which will be propped up by on-the-day entries, had exceeded last year’s numbers.

Many people were unable to get there as planned, after serious accidents closed the A9 and A93 roads on Saturday.

Those with Saturday tickets who could not make it to Blair Atholl were invited to attend yesterday instead.

The trials, which ran from Thursday until Sunday, featured more than 1,800 competitors from around the globe in contests from showjumping to dressage.

Aside from the competition events, there were a wide range of side attractions in the castle grounds.

A pop-up shopping village was created, offering everything from home accessories to clothing and drinks.

Proceeds from a whisky tasting at the trials will be donated to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, set up by Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir to support research into motor neurone disease.

Family-friendly activities included falconry displays, terrier racing, pig racing, a vintage and classic tractor cavalcade.

Andrew Bruce Wooton, general manager at Atholl Estates, said: “The Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials always prove to be an incredible few days, with a wealth of local and international visitors coming together to cheer on talented equestrians.

“Blair Castle is the perfect setting for this prestigious event, with both the venue and the Horse Trials steeped in history.”

Paul Bush, VisitScotland’s director of events, added: “The event is a key fixture in our annual calendar of events, helping drive Scotland’s visitor economy by attracting equestrian fans from across the world to our shores.”

See The Courier on Tuesday for results from the weekend’s competitions.