It might be “one of the worst-kept secrets in Scottish eventing” but Hopetoun International Horse Trials has confirmed it will become a three-day international contest as of next season.
“It’s really exciting news bringing the addition of a new CCI* and CCI** to the Scottish eventing calendar for 2014,” confirmed Hopetoun organiser Stuart Buntine, of Bede Events.
“We’ve got some great plans afoot to make it really extra special event – incorporating the buzz which will build across Scotland towards the Commonwealth Games,” he added.
As a result of the games in Glasgow, the international fixture at Hopetoun, which will also include a CIC*, CIC** and CIC*** competitions, will run on the last weekend of June – from Thursday, June 26 to Sunday, June 29, 2014.
“We’re also launching a thrilling new team contest at the new three-day Hopetoun from 2014 – the Commonwealth Cup,” Stuart announced exclusively to The Courier.
The brilliant new team slant to the event will see Commonwealth riders come together as teams to represent their home nations, as well as competing as individuals, across the CCI* and CCI** competitions.
“Each nation will put forward teams of five individuals – comprising at least two competitors in the CCI* and at least two from the CCI**, with a fifth rider in either class. Their top four scores will count and the team with the least penalties at the end of the three day international will be crowned winners of the Commonwealth Cup.
“It’s primarily geared towards encouraging the smaller eventing nations in the Commonwealth – such as those riders from Wales and South Africa – but obviously Scotland will be able to field teams to thrill the home crowd,” added Stuart.
The new contest has the potential to attract teams from around eight or nine different nations and Stuart said they are hoping for between 240 and 300 horses and riders across the one and three-day competitions.
Although plans are in their early stages, it looks likely the CCI dressage will take place on the Thursday and Friday, the CIC dressage and showjumping and the CCI cross country the Saturday, with the CIC cross country and the CCI showjumping on the Sunday.
Stuart hopes the draw of the large event will encourage trade stand holders to stay up in Scotland following the Royal Highland Show.
Hopetoun’s two fixture dates on the calendar this year – allowing for a second grassroots event for BE80 level to Novice competitors also “worked really well” according to Stuart.
This will continue to take place for the future, slotting in at the end of July next year from July 26 to 27.
“We had more than 500 entries providing two full days of competition so we want to continue to support that clear demand from the grassroots competitors in Scotland.”
Commenting on the developments to the Scottish and Northern calendar, regional director Frances Hay-Smith said: “It’s really positive that we have been able to replace Balcarres International.
“We’re thrilled Stuart is putting it on for us – and it’s great that even last year when the weather was the worst we’ve had to deal with that Hopetoun proved it has a fairer chance than most to keep on running,” she said.
Fran said BE in the north is gearing up for a great year in 2014, with Brechin making a welcome to the calendar in May – this time under the leadership of Kirriemuir organiser James Helyer – whilst Central Scotland Horse Trials gets the ball rolling at their new venue of Dalkeith on April 19 and 20, before running again during the summer on July 19 and 20.
Filling a gap at the higher level, Burgie, which will again run three times in 2014 as it did this year, will add an Intermediate track to its April fixture.
Warwick Hall, situated an hour and a half south of Glasgow, also joins the Cumbrian calendar and is “very easily accessible to Scotland’s riders” added Fran.
* A sting at the end of the tail of Blair this year was the emergence of the news that when it stages the European Championships in 2015 – it will not host the international one, two and three-star contests for which it is so popular.
“In 2015, the prestigious European Team competition will take place and as a result, Blair will not be hosting any other Eventing classes; however, we do anticipate a large number of nations to be competing at Blair,” commented organisers.
Frances Hay-Smith added: “Unfortunately this decision has been dictated by the FEI – so instead we are hoping that Scotland’s BE members will get involved in the event in some other way, perhaps by volunteering.”
Asked whether Blair might stage a second event to accommodate the CCI*, ** and *** riders, organisers said: “It hasn’t been confirmed yet whether there will be a separate competition but it will be unlikely.”