Bid to boost horse trials

Feb 9 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

NEW blood at the reins of Scone Palace’s Central Scotland Horse Trials is determined to gee-up the traditional annual event.

Sponsorship co-ordinator Ryan Bowie wants to boost attendance and pull a strong field of sponsors at the equestrian competition where drawcards will include Kiwi Caroline Powell, one of the world’s best eventing riders.

Up to 4000 spectators are expected to attend the British Eventing-run trials at Scone Palace from April 23 to 25, which will feature more than 500 riders of all ages and skill levels as well as a diverse raft of trade stands.

Mr Bowie – who is seeking a head-line sponsor for the event – said he hoped to follow the lead of the popular Game Fair that takes place only a few weeks after the trials at the same venue.

“Given the sponsors that the Game Fair attracts, there is plenty of scope to attract more sponsors for the horse trials,” he said.

“I’m trying to attract some major sponsors as I don’t think we’ve really tried to push the sponsorship and marketing side of this event before.

“Scone Palace is a great location and we’ve got this fantastic family event, but there’s just not nearly as many spectators as there could be.”

He added that the event was a relative bargain for sponsors as it was “low cost and high gain”, offering cost-effective exposure with tailor-made, sponsorship packages starting from only £200.

The headline sponsor receives maximum exposure via entrance banners, a full-page programme advert and section and fence banners.

After its inception in 1950, the Central Scotland Horse Trials was held at various locations throughout the central belt but dug its hooves in at Scone Palace where it has been a yearly fixture for almost 20 years.

Eventing, with its cavalry exercise origins, tests the ability of riders and horses in an equestrian triathlon comprising the elements of dressage, show jumping and cross country jumping.

“Dressage shows how trainable the horse is and its basic paces in walk, trot and canter,” Mr Bowie said.

“The cross country tests stamina, speed, jumping and bravery, while the show jumping shows athleticism, control and accuracy.

“The sport is rather like the pentathlon in that it combines different disciplines in one competition and is run on a cumulative penalty basis. The competitor with least penalties at the end is the winner.”

Mr Bowie conceded that while the sport currently had niche appeal, he believed it could be “opened up to a much wider audience”.

l Central Scotland Horse Trials, Scone Palace, April 23-25. Entry £10 per vehicle. Potential sponsors can e-mail Ryan Bowie on ryan.bowie@melroseporteous.co.uk