Entries for all eventing classes at the inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials (21-24 August) are now open.
This Perthshire feast of equestrian sport is the most exciting addition to the national calendar in years, and takes place in the beautiful grounds below Scone Palace, with all the advantages of the excellent permanent facilities of the adjacent Perth Racecourse.
Scone Palace is holding the following international eventing classes:
- CCI4*-L
- CCI4*-S
- CCI3*-L
- CCI2*-L
- CCI1*-Intro
- CCI-S Pony 2*
Scone Palace is also hosting the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival, comprising the Scottish Grassroots Championships at BE100 and BE90 level, and “open” British eventing BE100 and BE90 classes. These will take place on Wednesday, 20 August and Thursday, 21 August.
Newly-appointed LA Olympics 2028 cross-country course-designer Alec Lochore is Event Director of Scone Palace, and is designing the cross-country tracks for the international classes, while James Willis – Badminton course-builder and course-designer of the Badminton Grassroots Championships tracks – is responsible for the BE100 and BE90 Grassroots tracks.
The central part of Scotland in which Scone Palace is situated has been more fortunate than some parts of the UK in terms of weather this year, with more rainfall. The Perth Racecourse professional grounds team are working hard with all the expertise and machines at their disposal to produce the best footing possible for horses. This includes the ability to water the tracks and site consistently, courtesy of the River Tay, which runs alongside the event site.
Competitors in the CCI4*-L will be able to stable all their horses for that and other classes in the permanent Perth Racecourse stables, while there is Cheval StarboCS barn stabling in the centre of the racecourse for all other international competitors.
Alec Lochore said: “Having just returned from Scone, I am delighted by how green the grass is looking and by the great job that the racecourse team have done on the ground. With so many international classes at Scone Palace, we look forward to welcoming all athletes, horses and owners to this bonanza of eventing sport in the beautiful grounds of Scone Palace.”
Eventing competitors may also like to take advantage of the two full days of British Showjumping classes from 90cm to 1.30m on Saturday, 23 and Sunday 24 August – including Saturday’s ÂŁ1,000-to-the-winner Scone Palace Grand Prix, sponsored by The Malcolm Group.
There are a multitude of showing classes on Thursday, 21 and Friday, 22 August, and arena eventing, riding club competitions and Pony Club Games. See the event website, www.sconehorsetrials.com, for full details and schedules.
Scone Palace is on the northern outskirts of Perth, and has excellent accessibility from the newly opened Cross Tay Link Road over the River Tay from the A9 and the A93 and A94.
There will be superb shopping with a carefully curated selection of local and national retailers, excellent food and drink options and hospitality packages.
For more information, including a full timetable, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.sconehorsetrials.com.
IMAGE © SPIHT