by Tom Best

BY ALL accounts the Blair Castle Equi-trek International Horse Trials and Country Fair was a great success, despite a dearth of top class names on the list of starters for the international classes.

Thank goodness for the appearances of former Olympic team silver medallist, Nicola Wilson, German star Bettina Hoy and Oliver Townend, who, in addition to his second win this season in the lucrative Event Rider Masters CC3* competition, took home a substantial prize fund when five of his six horses found themselves in the prize list.

Followed by a second place in the last round at the recent Blenheim Place Horse Trials, Townend was crowned leader of the six stage championship taking home the additional £30,000 bringing his total in the new ERM series to more than £70,000.

Of course, he needed a partner to achieve his goal and things obviously came right this year for his horse, Cillnabradden Evo, a 10-year-old gelding by Creevagh Ferro, a registered Irish Sports Horse bred in County Louth by Tom and Orla Holden.

Interestingly, Blair Castle proved to be a testimony to the success of Irish breeders with four out of the five international classes going to registered Irish Sport Horses, which included Annie Clover (CCI3* Nicola Wilson), Touch Too Much (CCI2* Caroline Clark) and Obos Impressive (CCI1* Jonelle Price).

Event sponsor, Irish Horse Gateway (an initiative of Horse Sport Ireland) says it all in its logo, ‘Connecting the World to the Irish Horse’.

This certainly wasn’t just the case at Blair Castle as some 34% of the 197 entries entered for the Blenheim Palace Event were similarly bred.

Looking at the breeding of these successful event horses, it has become obvious how much the continental Warmblood has come into its own despite traditional prejudice against them.

It looks as if Irish breeders have decided to join them if they can’t beat them and what a wise decision this has been. However, history will show whether or not this can be continued without reverting to traditional values especially that of the Thoroughbred, which has been the mainstay of the Irish performance horse industry in the past.

With entries full to overflowing in most other sections of the busy timetable, the Blair Castle event has become an established show piece for equestrianism in Scotland and for Scottish competitors in particular.

By all accounts, the Grade C Horse of the Year Show qualifier in the main arena was a highlight among the show jumping competitions and the Scottish final of the Kent and Masters Arena Eventing competition proved popular.

Conveniently situated next to the cross country course, it may well have suited commentators and organisers alike, however it was hidden away from the main pedestrian areas so overlooked by many, like me, who might otherwise have found it interesting viewing.

It has become a Mecca for competition and in many ways a Scottish equivalent to the Horse of the Year Show where qualification to compete is par for the course.

Everyone seems to want to qualify for something nowadays and for the majority, with the Horse of the Year Show out of reach, competing at Blair more than compensates.

It surprises me the huge number of entries in the horse classes, especially working hunter, although admittedly quantity out-numbers quality in most of them – but how to raise the standard? I wonder if Grandstand Media could be tempted to place some of their Horse of the Year Show qualifiers here; that certainly would go some way.

With no late entries allowed, it is a joy to have a catalogue of entries in the hand to know who is winning what and when.

Entries on the day, a modern trend which has been allowed to become the norm for so many horse shows these days, is a curse for organisers and spectators alike.

From a financial perspective it seems to have become a necessary evil although events such as this prove that it is still possible to attract an excellent entry without the practice. Long may the organisers insist on this as standard for their event.

With large numbers of competitors travelling from all over Scotland and the North of England for the event, it is little wonder the organisers require almost 700 stables.

The logistics of putting on such an event are hardly worth thinking about and the Atholl Estate Office Team, headed by Alex Lochore, have to be congratulated for their efforts.

They have created a marvellous atmosphere with copious numbers of trade stands enclosing the rings and I am sure they rank up there with the best of horse trials event organisers in Britain.

The ground staff are also to be applauded as the going round the course and in the rings was perfect although, dare I say it, the rings in many ways are too big and the collecting areas too distant and out of view of competitors. This is fine for horse trials people who are used to it but creates difficulties for those in traditional showing classes.

With regards to the showing classes, there is an obvious need for someone with showing knowledge to lead that side of the event, both beforehand and on each of the four days.

There is a unique ‘Blair’ experience, ranging from a theatrical Highland backdrop, with its mountains and castle, to an extensive shopping facility. There is a sizeable and appreciative audience present during the classes which we seldom see at horse events.

For all of us, it’s great to compete in front of people other than fellow competitors which is the case at most weekend shows.

Braving the midges on Thursday evening to walk round the cross country course was well worth the inconvenience as I wondered at the bravery of the horses and the skill of their riders who guide them round such terrifying fences. How on earth do they make it look so easy as they power their way round?

For those of you who have not ventured to this uniquely Scottish event before, I can only recommend that you put it in your diary for next year, as I certainly will put it in mine.