News, Events & Offers

Floors Castle Horse Trials

Saturday 18th to Sunday 19th May 2013

Floors Castle Horse Trials will this year be celebrating its 21st birthday with the introduction of an array of new classes and well-known local event rider Ian Stark as course designer for the higher level sections. Ian Stark represented Great Britain in five Olympic Games, was European Champion in 1991 and won Badminton Horse Trials three times. He is now a course designer at the top of his game – in demand across the World, he designs at Chatsworth International Horse Trials, Bramham International Three Day Event and Hopetoun International Horse Trials, to name but a few.

Floors Castle Horse Trials is also an event on the up. Rather than fall by the wayside like so many other Scottish events, Floors is pushing forward with new ideas and new ventures – including a new BE90 class for our grass roots competitors (this will run for the first time this year having been cancelled last year due to wet weather), a new CIC* class for mid-level competitors seeking International qualifications, and finally a pioneering Targeted CN** class, which will offer higher level combinations a unique chance to qualify for some high powered events across Europe later in the eventing calendar. In addition we have introduced a Burghley Young Event Horse Class as a showcase for young equine talent.

Organiser Jamie Innes said: “Eventing in Scotland has lost too many fixtures this year – we want Floors Castle Horse Trials to be a shining light for eventing in the North. We may have been running for 21 years, but we will keep trying new things to keep the event fresh and moving forward. The introduction of Ian Stark as designer of our International Classes this year is a massive coup - as is the introduction of International classes full stop. This really puts Floors on the map and we hope to attract more well-known riders from across the UK as a result. Our competitor numbers should exceed 550 for the first time this year, and with the plans we have in place for 2014 and beyond this is just the beginning. The end of Thirlestane Horse Trials four years ago left a huge gap in the Borders’ sporting calendar – Floors Horse Trials is on the way to stepping into those big shoes, and it is a very exciting time for everyone involved.”

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The Horse Trials, which run over the glorious parkland in front of Floors Castle, will take place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May 2013. Visitors to the event will not only be treated to an array of equestrian spectacles, with dressage, showjumping and cross country all running simultaneously throughout the day, but they can also enjoy a walk around the cross country course, which spans from the Golden Gates down to the Tweed and along to the parkland just south of the Adventure Playground, Plant Centre and Walled Garden.

There are a number of tradestands to browse and for those in need of refreshment there are ice cream, coffee and gourmet burgers on hand. Young eventing fans might also enjoy a careful walk round the lorry park with their autograph book, as top riders such as Wills Oakden, Olivia Haddow, Emily Galbraith, Nicola Wilson and Ruth Edge are regular competitors at the event.

The event is held by kind permission of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, who are great supporters of the competition. The Duchess explains “Floors Castle Horse Trials is a wonderful family day out for visitors, and is equally enjoyed by the competitors. I love to see the grounds being used for such a fantastic event, and I hope that people coming to the Horse Trials will also take time to visit the Castle and perhaps stop off at the Terrace Café or visit our Plant Centre. We wish all of the competitors the best of luck and bid a warm welcome to everyone attending the event.”

Mr Innes credits the success and longevity of the event to the wonderful setting, the enthusiasm of the organising committee and the loyalty of the event sponsors. He adds “in the current economic climate it is becoming increasingly difficult to fund events such as Floors Castle Horse Trials, but we have wonderful sponsors on board, including WH Malcolm, Best Intent Marquees, Hume Outfitters, Cazenove Capital Management, Savills and JSC Estates. I’d like to thank each and every one of our sponsors and members for their continued support, and would love to welcome new sponsors this year so please get in touch if you would like to support the event.”

For information about Floors Castle Horse Trials, or to become a member or sponsor, please contact Jamie Innes at james.innes2@virgin.net. Entry is payable at the gate on both days (£10 per car).

You can follow Floors Castle Horse Trials on twitter @FloorsCastleHT and on facebook.

Cross Country Schooling - Must be pre-booked

Monday 20th May 2013 from 10am

Cross Country Schooling with BE Accredited Coach David Gatherer.

A fantastic opportunity to school over the fantastic cross country fences, designed by Jamie Innes and Ian Stark, at Floors Castle.

£40 per horse - Must be pre-booked.

Download our application form here

Contacts

Organiser - J A Innes Esq
Newbigging Birks, Oxnam, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, TD8 6NA. Phone: 01835 840223. Mobile: 07831 172166. Email: james.innes2@virgin.net.

Event Secretary - Mrs J H Millar
Timpendean, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, TD8 6SS. Phone: 01835 830200. Mobile: 07801 577600. Email: timpendean@btconnect.com. Contact number during event: 0780 1577600

Stabling Manager - Mrs Kathie Marshall
Camieston, St. Boswells, TP6 0HJ. Mobile: 07896 089133. Email: kathie@marshall7.plus.com.

SJ Course Designer - Mr Kenneth Rendall

XC Course Designer - Jamie Innes and Ian Stark OBE

Entries Secretary - Mrs Tanya Adamson
The Steading, Mains of Cairnies, Glenalmond, Perth and Kinross, PH1 3SE. Phone: 01738 880245. Mobile: 07814 056874 no calls after 8pm please. Email: tanya.adamson@btinternet.com.