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The
Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country
Fair
Blair Atholl, Perthshire
Thursday 22nd - Sunday 25th August 2002
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History
Blair
Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Atholl, is set in wonderful parklands
in the heart of Perthshire providing a stunning backdrop to this
major equestrian event and Country Fair.
The
Event first ran as a Three Day Event in 1989 and since then it has
grown in popularity both with competitors and spectators. In 1996
Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials hosted the European
Junior Championships. This achievement recognised the standard of
excellence for which Blair has become internationally renowned.
The Event is not confined to horses and their devotees, there is
a large tented village with shopping opportunities for all, and
an action-packed Country Fair.
What's
On
Four
days of action packed fun including top class Showjumping, Highland
ponies, Hunters, Native breeds and Carriage rides. For the non equestrian
in the family we can offer a vast array of attractions. The Country
Fair boasts a wealth of entertainment from falconry to duck herding,
and there are a selection of 'have a go' activities to bring out
the child in you! There is go-karting, archery and even a miniature
steam train. In the tented village you will find over 170 shops
with something for everyone, whether it's clothes, jewellery, crafts
or garden equipment, even a new yard of stables!! You can buy it
all here.
Thursday
Dressage
Championship Ridden and Working Hunter Show
Highland Pony Showing
Shopping
Friday
Dressage
Celebration of the Horse in Scotland
Shopping
BSJA Showjumping
Saturday
Cross Country
Country Fair
Shopping
BSJA Showjumping
Scotland's Pony Club Games Championship
Sunday
Event Show jumping
Arena Displays
Country Fair
BSJA Showjumping
Facts
& Figures
In
2000 over 22,000 people flocked through the gates to experience
at first hand the thrill of Blair Castle International Horse Trials
whilst 29,000 were keeping up to date with all the excitement via
our live web link. Over 4 million tuned in to watch the event on
a variety of networks across the globe from Europe to Australia,
South Africa and even Japan. These figures alone show how known
and respected Blair Castle Horse Trials are as one of the world's
premier International events.
The Event
The
Three Day Event is a comprehensive test of all-round ability
of both horse and rider. It evolved from the requirements
for a top class military charger - steadiness on parade,
the ability to cross the countryside in battle, and then
to continue with duties after a strenuous day.
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The
sport of eventing has significant roots in Perthshire, and we are
indeed proud to carry on the tradition at Blair. The Blair Three
Day Event began in 1989 as a CCN** and has been run at CCI** level
since 1991. The event has gained a reputation for its beautiful
scenery and for a course that has always been challenging whilst
being solid, fair and not too technical. All the jumps are constructed
from home grown timber for which Atholl Estates are famous.
Internationally
there are four levels of competition. These are rated by 'Stars'.
The event at Blair plays host to competition on two levels. The
CCI* caters for those, equine or human, entering their first Three
Day Event, while the CCI**, a higher grade, is entered by those
wishing to take younger horses on to more advanced levels of competition.
In addition, Blair is staging an International Team Competition
within the CCI**. Each team consists of four riders, from which
the best three scores are taken to determine the winners.
The
scoring system is based on penalty marks, the winner therefore being
the horse and rider with the lowest number of penalties at the end
of the competition.
Nowadays
the skill of the rider is at least as important as the ability of
the horse. With today's standards, in order to win, both horse and
rider must excel at all three phases of the competition.
-
Dressage
- Cross
Country:
- Phase
A - Roads Tracks
- Phase
B - Steeplechase
- Phase
C - Roads Tracks
- Phase
D - Cross Country Obstacles
- Show
Jumping
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If
you have never been to a horse trials before, don't be misled
into thinking it is only about horses.
You
will find the Country Fair in full swing and you can try
your hand at a variety of country pursuits.
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So
don't miss the chance to come to this most beautiful part of Scotland
and participate in a very special event!
or further details please
visit the Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country
Fair website - click here
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