In just three weeks’ time, the much-anticipated, last-ever Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials will be in full swing. With far more than just horses to enjoy, general admission prices start at £20. For those looking for a more luxurious experience, there are limited spaces available for a range of hospitality options offering everything from a delicious three-course lunch in the VIP pavilion to afternoon tea and much more.
Now in its 35th year of international competition, the 2024 Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials will include national and international eventing, Arena Eventing, NPS Scotland Showing Finals, British Showjumping, The Highland Pony Society, Hunter and Sunday Showing competitions as well as exhilarating Pony Club Games over the course of four days.
Having run three-day events since 1989, Blair Castle has hosted multiple European Championships including the FEI European Junior Championships in 1996, and the FEI European Young Rider Eventing Championships in both 2007 and 2011and most recently, the event has hosted the senior FEI European Eventing Championship in 2015.
With the confirmation of entry by two thirds of the Paris Olympic Gold Medal Winning Team and a Bronze Medal winner too, this year’s action-packed schedule at Blair is enough to thrill even the staunchest of eventing and countryside fans – no matter their age. There will be live music, whisky tasting, complementary Land Rover Experiences, Paris 2024 Olympic Gold medal winners, afternoon teas, a cross-country running race (entries are still open if you think you’re up to the challenge!), a fun fair and so much more!
Renowned for its shopping village, Blair has something for all tastes and budgets: bespoke jewellery, fine art, country and casual clothing, everything for horses and hounds, horseboxes, 4x4s… and that’s before visiting the food hall, with handmade chocolates, delicious shortbread, artisan cheeses, baked goods, chutneys and craft gins – and so much more. Offering our support to the invaluable communities that have helped to make Defender Blair Castle Horse Trials the event it is today, the ever-popular ‘Heart of the Highlands’ area showcases small and local Scottish businesses.
Preparing to bid a final farewell to Blair Castle, long-time Event Director, Alec Lochore said, “It has been a great privilege for the Sport to be able to come and enjoy the hills and the magnificent scenery of Blair Atholl over so many years of competition here and it will be a great loss to the calendar with its absence felt across the globe. It has also been a great place for horses to learn, compete and develop with all three of the Paris Olympic Gold Medal Winning Team having been placed in classes at Blair.
I hope that people will come and celebrate the last 35 years at Blair Castle one last time by enjoying this fantastic venue, the amazing horses, the brave riders, the wonderful food, and the famous Scottish hospitality.”
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