The final competition of the Blair Castle International Horse Trials has come to a close with Astier Nicolas (FRA) riding Quickly Du Buguet taking the winner’s podium and the prize fund of £4,500, as well as the Blair Castle Horse Trials Quaich, The Duke of Atholl Challenge Cup. The Sir Wattie Bronze to the highest place British Rider was presented to Flora Harris (GBR) and Amazing VIII, so an afternoon of awards at Blair Castle. With twenty-six horse and rider combinations coming forward to the final phase of the three day event, spectators were on the edge of their seats until the final rider had completed the show jumping and the leaderboard changed regularly throughout the afternoon as clear rounds seemed to be difficult to achieve. Austin O’Connor (IRL) riding Fernhill Rock Star jumped a lovely clear round mid-afternoon moving up the order with a score of 67.8. Louise Svensson J Hde (SWE) jumped a stunning clear round on the lovely 11 year old chestnut mare by Limbus. Astier Nicholas (FRA) riding Quickly Du Buguet jumped the most beautiful clear round to stay high on the leaderboard and indeed that great clear round put him into pole position. Astier commented “ She is an amazing jumper and really competitive, she is very fast on the XC and I heard that Blair Castle was like the Tour de France in the Mountains so we thought it would suit her, it had a great atmosphere above the trees. It was also a good idea to come to Blair this year in preparation for the Europeans next year”. Louise Harwood on her World Equestrian Games reserve horse just tipped a pole to gain four penalty points but took third position, Louise said “Whitson is so fit and well that he hardly notices that I am on top”. Flora Harris (GBR) also tipped a pole to gain four penalty points but finished in second position. Flora told us “I was disappointed to have a pole in the showjumping but the XC track is the toughest that my mare has done she is really incredible”. Lucy Wiegersma (GBR) riding Mr Chunky was hoping to maintain her position but sadly had two fences down. So Gwendolen Fer (FRA) riding Romantic Love, leader overnight, came into the arena with one fence in hand but with two fences down dropped down the order. So the sun is setting on Blair Castle after an excellent weekend of competition and we now look forwards to the FEI European Eventing Championship to be held at Blair Castle from the 10-13 September 2015.
