With the European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle almost here (10-13 September), we take a look at those who have arrived and their first impressions.
From kilts to stunning scenery, this year’s championships are already impressing some of the world’s top eventers.
William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero set off on their long journey from their Dorset base
The journey to #Blair2015 has started! pic.twitter.com/to4rqQntPJ
— Fox-Pitt Eventing (@foxpitteventing) September 7, 2015
Holly Woodhead and her Blair ride DHI Lupison get a good send off from her team in Wiltshire
They're off!@hollyWoodhead2, DHI Lupison @BEventing, @BCIHT🍀🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/a9tGB8xf9l
— jox (@joxhorton) September 6, 2015
Izzy Taylor’s Briarlands Matlida settles straight into her surroundings
Safe to say @KBISInsurance Briarlnds Matilda is happy and settled @BCIHT. @TNLUK @uk_sport @TeamGBR #Blair2015 pic.twitter.com/JmR9PnrzuE
— Anna Mildner (@AnnaSpannaM) September 8, 2015
Irish rider Austin O’Connor gets overtaken by a speedy, newly crowned Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials winner Michael Jung
Just been passed by @LRBHT_Official Winner enroute to @BCIHT! pic.twitter.com/BXsFqk2ZHF
— Austin O'Connor (@attington) September 7, 2015
Nicola Wilson and One Two Many take in the stunning surroundings of Blair Castle
Coco (One Two Many) & I watching the mist lift. Beautiful hack out this morning #Blair @BEventing @BCIHT @TeamGBR pic.twitter.com/nkFFraiGK8
— Nicola Wilson (@NWEventing) September 8, 2015
British riders Holly Woodhead and Laura Collett prepare for a morning hack
The @TeamGBR girls heading out for a hack #Blair2015 pic.twitter.com/PLjKvspxsj
— Eventing Consultant (@EventingConsult) September 8, 2015
Continued below…
10 ways to get into the spirit of the Blair European Eventing Championships
Check out our fun ways to be part of the action from your sofa or desk
12 ways to make the most of your visit to Blair’s eventing Europeans
Read on for great tips on what not to miss while you’re in Scotland this week
Francis Whittington bids his son farewell for the week at Burghley before he heads up to the championships
Saying goodbye to his son Max, @FWeventing leaves for @BCIHT from @LRBHT_Official to represent @TeamGBR European Chps pic.twitter.com/qq07q84vHL
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) September 6, 2015
The Germans arrive in Scotland
Gemma Tattersall’s mum is very excited about the opportunity of being a part of Team GBR
We are off … To @BCIHT , starting our journey … On a dream thats been a long one! @GTeventing pic.twitter.com/BBcaGd3Bjo
— Marcelle Tattersall (@marcytatt) September 6, 2015
After his fall at Burghley, Michael Jung makes good use of a segway to avoid walking on his sore ankle…
Behind the scenes at #Blair2015 – He is still cant walk too well so he flies around on this thing. pic.twitter.com/L1SOOUgwSU
— Eventing Consultant (@EventingConsult) September 7, 2015
…and he’s pretty nifty with it!
a) It has a light b) one-handed #MikesBike #Blair2015 pic.twitter.com/NstNBObIQr
— Eventing Consultant (@EventingConsult) September 7, 2015
H&H’s eventing guru, Pippa Roome starts her long journey up to Blair
Clapham Junction, first bus of the #JourneyToBlair done! @BCIHT #Blair2015 pic.twitter.com/mPVybl5fwq
— Pippa Roome (@PippaRoome) September 8, 2015
Ireland’s Camilla Speirs rides her dimunitive little horse Portersize Just A Jiff against the stunning backdrop Blair offers
Stunning backdrop at #Blair2015 for Jiff's morning work. pic.twitter.com/O7OPBgS6S7
— Eventing Consultant (@EventingConsult) September 8, 2015
Blair was bathed in sunshine yesterday (7 September) — long may it continue!
The sun hasn't stopped shining at @Blair_Castle today! #Blair2015 #Countdown #WhereWillYouBe pic.twitter.com/sAprmfoWhi
— Blair Horse Trials (@BCIHT) September 7, 2015
Kitty King’s ride Persimmon enjoys a pick of grass
Persimmon enjoying the grass and sunshine up @BCIHT @TeamGBR pic.twitter.com/NF9bqfKogm
— Kitty King (@kittyeventing) September 7, 2015
Course designer Ian Stark offers a truly Scottish themed cross-country challenge for horses and riders this weekend
Kilts complete !!! pic.twitter.com/oeca9OXUSE
— Ian Stark Equestrian (@IanStarkEquestr) September 8, 2015
Remember that the Horse & Hound team will be on site to bring you all the action as it happens through our H&H Live service and daily reports and video interviews with the riders.
Follow the British team members via Twitter this week to ensure you don’t miss a thing:
Laura Collett — @CollettEventing
Dani Evans — @DLEventing
William Fox-Pitt — @foxpitteventing
Kitty King — @kittyeventing
Wills Oakden — @WOakdenEventing
Gemma Tattersall — @GTeventing
Izzy Taylor — @1izzytaylor
Oliver Townend — @Oliver_Townend
Francis Whittington — @FWeventing
Nicola Wilson — @NWEventing
Holly Woodhead — @hollyWoodhead2