Results in from Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

EQUESTRIAN: Organisers delighted by success of event, which drew crowd of 45,000 and saw one competitor win £46,000

One of the big winners at the Blair International Horse Trials at the weekend is celebrating a £46,000 jackpot. Australian Christopher Burton took not just the final leg of the 2018 Event Rider Masters (ERM) series, but also the series itself. He wins £16,000 for the leg victory and £30,000 for the series, which takes in the eventing disciplines of dressage, showjumping and cross country. Mr Burton said: “I was very nervous before I set out, worried that I would do something silly like jump the wrong fence. I’m stoked the horse ran so well and it’s great to have won not just the leg, but the series.” Oliver Townend and Cillnabradden Evo, leaders after the dressage, had lowered a show jump so needed to make the optimum in the cross country to stay ahead of Burton. They were unable to do so but Townend was still delighted. “I’m thrilled, both for the horse and for his owner, Sally-Anne Egginton,” he said. “He’s a very special horse. He doesn’t really have the gallop for this sort of going but he dug deep, and after every fence took a deep breath and picked himself up again.” The event, held at Blair Castle, attracted around 45,000 spectators. Organisers hailed it a success, despite downpours on Sunday. Results: Final standings for ERM series – 1 Christopher Burton, 2 Laura Collett, 3 Tim Price. CIC*** ERM Section A – 1 Bayano, Christopher Burton; 2 Cillnabradden Evo, Oliver Townend; 3 Camembert, Emily Philip. CIC*** Section B – 1 Tregilder, Oliver Townend; 2 Brookfield Inocent, Piggy French; 3 Shadow Man II, Ben Hobday. CCI* Section C – 1 Seaflower, James Avery; 2 JL Dublin, Nicola Wilson; 3 G Star Van De Klinkenberg, Paul Sims. CCI** Section D – 1 Cooley Monsoon, Piggy French; 2 CHF Cooliser, Tom McEwen; 3 Castletown Clover, Piggy French. CCI*** Section E – 1 Pats Jester, Tim Price; 2 Strike Smartly, Tom McEwen; 3 Director General, Izzy Taylor. Scottish Championships BE90 Open, after show jumping – 1 Laghey Clover, Sophie Bultitude; 2 Chippendale Vivaldi, Sharon Thom; 3 Mr Incredible II, Morag O’Mara. Scottish Championships BE90 Open – 1 Laghey Clover, Sophie Bultitude; 2 Equit, Claire Smith; 3 Polly’s Wish, John Hill. Scottish Championships BE90 Open Dressage – 1 Laghey Clover, Sophie Bultitude; 2 Equit, Claire Smith; 3 Chippendale Vivaldi, Sharon Thom. Scottish Championships SCBE 100 Open – 1 Ballingowan Carrie, Rose Macpherson; 2 Lacoste, Elspeth Bryce; 3 Jay Silverheels, Jane Reid.

Pictures: Kenny Smith. Riders take on the jumps at Blair Castle.