Olympics add extra edge to this year’s Blair Castle International Horse Trials
ByNews reporter
Kim Cessford, Courier 16.08.11 - preparations are underway for the forthcoming Blair Horse Trials at Blair Atholl Castle grounds - pictured is Hannah Wilkins (Assistant Director)
Final preparations are in full swing for this year’s Blair Castle International Horse Trials, which open on Thursday.
More than 40,000 visitors are expected at Blair Castle over the event’s four days.
The horse trials and accompanying country fair are set to be the biggest yet, with more classes than ever and around 1200 horses on show.
The event could also play a role in the nation’s future Olympic gold medal hopes as Blair hosts the Scottish Sports Horse (SSH) Mare and Youngstock Championships for the first time.
Aimed at identifying potential competition horses suitable for any or all of the Olympic disciplines, there are 11 qualifying rounds being held around Scotland throughout the summer.
Assistant director of Blair Hannah Wilkins said: “We were delighted to be asked to host the SSH Championships. I’m looking forward to seeing the best of Scotland’s future sports horses on show.”
