The 2024 Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials began yesterday with the BE 90 and BE 100 competitions, the Scottish Grassroots Championships dressage phase and the FEI first horse inspections.
The Inverness Paving British Eventing Scottish Grassroots Championships came to their conclusion this afternoon.
Having finished 3rd here in last year’s BE90 Scottish Grassroot Championships, Blair specialists, Ben Fairbrother (GBR) and Upper Limit came into the SC BE100 off the back of 3 wins including the regional qualifying final at Hopetoun at the beginning of this month AND the BE90 Badminton Grassroots title in May.
The pair knocked an early pole today but had enough in the bank to mean it didn’t matter as they convincingly took their spot at the top of the podium.
2nd placed Sharon Christie Thom (GBR) with Molton Crown finished just ahead of 3rd place Frankie Cromarty (GBR) and Ickle Wickle.
Drama in the final phase of the SC BE90 meant that our winner didn’t actually realise she’d won!
Posting a 31.5 dressage score followed by an immaculate double clear, Fife’s Joanna Heaton (GBR) and Pure Imagination took our final-ever BE SC90 title. Having earned their ticket to the Champs at Hopetoun in early August, Joanna and Pure Imagination have not finished outside the top 10 in any of their 2024 events. This might be her first win here, but she is not a stranger to the prize-giving here at Blair having finished 3rd in the BE SC100 last year on Jamesfield Abercrombie.
2nd place went to Pebbles Walker (GBR) and Tino II with 3rd being claimed by Erin Hewitson (GBR) and Whaupshill Touche.
Today also saw the commencement of our six FEI classes with dressage beginning at 08.30am.
Our overnight leaders are:
4*L – Piggy March (GBR) with Mrs Alison Swinburn, John and Chloe Perry’s Brookfield Future News
4*S – Tom McEwen (GBR) with Mr Fred and Mrs Penny Barker’s MHS Brown Jack
3*L – Piggy March (GBR) with Mrs Susie Wood’s Cooley Goodwood
2*L – Hazel Towers (GBR) with the rider’s own Torpex
1*L Section E – Jasmine Grace Black (GBR) with the rider’s own Blowell Superstition
1* L Section F – Annie Broad (NZL) with Dr Linda McSwiggan’s Chieftain of the White Legs
With the remaining riders in the FEI classes heading down the centreline, NPS Showing, British Showjumping, and a Charity Whisky Tasting, there is plenty of action to come tomorrow here at the Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials
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