One-year on from the Gillespie Macandrew Hopetoun Horse Trials the organisers have learnt hugely from their first event and are looking forward to this years event on July 28/29.

With classes from BE90 to novice taking place on Saturday and the international CIC** and CIC*** and open novice taking place on the Sunday the organisers are hopeful they can increase their entry number as well as improve the experience for riders.

Last year over 400 riders competed at the Hopetoun Horse Trials, and Ian Stark, the course builder, has made some changes to the course, most notably with the introduction of a new coffin combination fence for the CIC*** international class. It will take in the old dew pond from Stanleyhill Tower, an old castle ruin standing in the grounds of the estate, near the double of Forth Road Bridges fence at the top of the hill. Another change is the removal of an upright log towards the end of the course at the bottom of the steep hill where many riders broke the frangible pin and the fence was later removed.

"The course basically follows the same route, we've put a new track down the wood towards the end of the course and the upright has been changed to an ascending log," explained Ian. "There will be various changes by moving portables around the course. The water fence with the bridges looked amazing and asked the right questions to riders, word quickly got back that you needed to ride at it strongly to make the distance up. The coal wagons after the water is now a double of oxers and the skinny fence after the trakenner has been changed to a corner fence."

Organsier Stuart Buntine said: "There's always huge amounts to learn after an event and this year we wish to correct some areas and move the event forward. After the event last year we spoke to riders for feedback and one of the most important points for them was access."

Last year one of the biggest grumbles for riders was the time required to get from the horsebox park to the showjumping and cross country areas but this year a new temporary bridge will go over the estate wall and cut down the distance into the event and a new shuttle system will be in place.

"We've also introduced temporary stabling on site to encourage competitors to make a weekend of it and it'll only be 120m from the stables to the showjumping arena," added Stuart. "So far, half the stables have been booked for the weekend, it's a great way for competitors to compete and take in the social gatherings we've planned."

The organisers are creating a weekend of celebration to include an Olympic launch garden party on the Friday and a ceilidh and beer festival on the Saturday evening. A giant screen on the lawn from the London Olympics throughout the weekend, and while the top riders will be at Greenwich, there's a chance to collect valuable FEI points at Hopetoun.

Another new idea is that all dressage will take place in the front of Hopetoun House, with some of it on Friday evening, to allow all competitors to feel part of the atmosphere, and in a further attraction all cross country routes will now ride across the West Lawn.

"We've drained the wooded area after the West Lawn to improve the going and cut back trees to allow for better viewing of the horses going away from the house," added Lord Hopetoun.

"We want to build on spectator experiences for the event," added Stuart. "This magnificent location and challenging course makes the Hopetoun Horse Trials a truly remarkable event."

For Ian though, he is leaving his work at Hopetoun behind as he has Olympic commentating commitments with the BBC, however on the day Stuart will take over as the course designer.

"It's been a challenge to get enough FEI officials to run over the Olympic weekend," admitted Stuart. "We have giant screens on the West Lawn to be broadcasting live action so spectators can watch all the action. We want to create an event for everybody and we'll aim for the prize giving before 5pm. The hardest thing is the first five years, but there's plenty of areas to grow. The feeling is that this will be a great event to secure FEI points while the top riders are in London. I am expecting to see some rising stars at Hopetoun."

n Tickets are in advance £10 each per day, on the gate £15 each per day, children under the age of 14 go free. Car parking is £5/day, or £3/day in advance.