Blair Castle Horse Trials

We wandered up and watched some of the XC today. Didn’t see much of the show jumping. OH seemed to prefer XC and I was happy seeing any horses 😂 did catch a fellow orcadian doing her round.

Left early at the back of 3 and the ques going south were mental! Heading north has been fine and got a good trip to Inverness. Maybe stop in Golspie for food.
 
Really, really lovely to see Wills Oakden win the 4*L. Have watched him at his local event here for a long time (he was on the 2011 Young Rider Euros team I think?), and it was quite touching to see the Perthshire boy ride the final eventing SJ round that will ever be in that main arena, and to take home the prize too. Felt quite fitting. He was really celebrating and the crowd was fair cheering him.

Also nice to see a XC and SJ that were so influential too. I know it was mainly due to weather but Blair was no dressage competition!
 
I'm finally tucked up in bed in Broxburn before I head back home tomorrow.

Met a small handful of HHOs which was lovely though the mud, wind and rain has been beyond challenging for us stall holders. I also managed the additional challenge of having left my marquee's roof in my garage 🤦‍♀️. Used the front of my large tent as a stand up until it showed up on Friday lunchtime thanks to my OH and Royal Mail. Anyone remember the storm on Friday lunchtime for about an hour and a half? The exact and entire time we were putting up the stand! Dramatic to say the least and I was done afterwards, completely done, so sorry to the rush of customers that descended, I was not at my best! Was also charming to be right next to the loos (and my tent opposite them), shunted down from where I used to be by some new stands, not overly happy especially when loo roll was blowing through the stand.

Met some lovely riders and owners so it was all worthwhile, now to drive back to Suffolk and then clean and dry EVERYTHING from stand and tent! Very glad to have been at the last Blair, and fingers crossed I'll get a stand at Scone.
 
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Tucked up back in the Atholl Arms which is quiet tonight so I can get online. I was unimpressed with the shopping this year but have felt it was going downhill for a few years with many favourite stands not there.

I felt a few things were missing this year compared to other years too. There were no grooms prizes, in previous years the stable management team got asked to select a winner in each class but not this year. The SM team weren't thanked at all, most take a week of work and are unpaid except for a mileage allowance to get there,, a polo shirt and some food vouchers. I also didn't see any collections for WHW which was this year's charity..

Competition wise it was great to see Ian Stark in the 3* at 70. I did feel some horse looked tired in the 3* xc which was disappointing as Blair is known for needing a fit horse and holding ground was always likely given the summer we've had. I was delighted to see Wills' wins and also "honorary scot" Caroline, they seemed fitting for the final Blair.

It's going to be interesting to see what Scone does. We have booked our accommodation already. I hope it can cope with bad weather, I remember the BE event being cancelled in the past.
 
EventingMum said:
Tucked up back in the Atholl Arms which is quiet tonight so I can get online. I was unimpressed with the shopping this year but have felt it was going downhill for a few years with many favourite stands not there.

I felt a few things were missing this year compared to other years too. There were no grooms prizes, in previous years the stable management team got asked to select a winner in each class but not this year. The SM team weren't thanked at all, most take a week of work and are unpaid except for a mileage allowance to get there,, a polo shirt and some food vouchers. I also didn't see any collections for WHW which was this year's charity..

Competition wise it was great to see Ian Stark in the 3* at 70. I did feel some horse looked tired in the 3* xc which was disappointing as Blair is known for needing a fit horse and holding ground was always likely given the summer we've had. I was delighted to see Wills' wins and also "honorary scot" Caroline, they seemed fitting for the final Blair.

It's going to be interesting to see what Scone does. We have booked our accommodation already. I hope it can cope with bad weather, I remember the BE event being cancelled in the past.
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Thank you for the update - sleep well!
Great that Ian Stark rode round, good for him.
 
Glad to see a Scottish winner of the 4*L. The owners are local to me and give so much back to RoR and grassroots competition - they sponsor all the rosettes at local yards and shows.

Also pleased to see a Scottish bred horse in 2nd. I have known Henry since he was a youngster so it’s nice to see him and Caroline going so well together.
 
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