Hello Bill!
An Eventful Life will be filming all competitors on cross country at Blair Castle International - find out more here
“We could have done without this morning’s rain” says Alec Lochore, Event Director and Course Designer at Blair Castle Horse Trials, but at least the weather was playing fair for the afternoon’s CCI first horse inspection at the event that boasts one of the most scenic backdrops in the world
Jenny Levett and Ballymore Rich Cat
The riders were a bit flummoxed by the change of weather from pouring rain earlier in the day to sultry sun in the afternoon, with some ladies in summery dresses and others in tweed or capes with fur trims. Jenny Levett was one of those who opted for the warmer option; she is competing in the CCI1* on the Clare Prentice’s 15 year old Ballymore Rich Cat while her husband Bill has five horses competing across the classes
Australia is well represented at this event with Shane Rose riding Sam Griffiths’ Happy Times in the CIC3*, Gurtera Cher in the CCI2* and his own Virgil in the Event Rider Masters CIC3*. Shane also trotted up Chris Burton’s Lawtown Boy today, competing in the CCI1* but he hasn’t taken over that ride as well; Chris, who is also riding Graf Liberty in the ERM CIC3*, just hadn’t arrived at the event yet.
Shane Rose and Lawtown Boy
There is also a bit of an Aussie ring in with the recent European gold medallist Oliver Townend riding Tim Boland’s Cooley Down Under in the CCI1*
But the whole point of the first horse inspection is who is wearing what, isn’t it? There is an official Best Dressed prize yet to be awarded but here is our choice.... we loved Sophie Platt’s outfit and also the fact that she matched her horse!
Sophie, who is from South Yorkshire, and her eight year old gelding Caesar II looked fabulous together on the runway with Sophie’s great tweed outfit matched with suede boots suiting Blair to a tee.
Sophie Platt and Caesar II
And of course we have to have a man in a kilt .................. thank you Christopher Stead who is riding Premier lady Courage in the CCI1*
