FOLLOWING their successful 2022 trip, Tiggy’s Trust is excited to head to Blair International Horse Trials again next month with teams of young riders who will compete against teams in the mounted games and eventing competitions.

“The Irish kids who were so smart, fun and supportive of each other in 2022 made a great impression on the Scottish organisers who invited the Trust back again and have even added a CCIP2* competition on our behalf for the eventing teams’ competitors,” stated a Tiggy’s Trust press release this week.

Blair International Horse Trials will be held from August 24th-27th and applications are now open on the TiggysTrust.com website for any young rider who would like to compete. Preference will be given to those in their last year of ponies who have never travelled before.

“The thrill and excitement of team competition abroad was one that Tiggy herself adored, and last year’s trip truly engendered the inclusivity, support and friendship amongst the kids that was a hallmark of her young life,” stated Tiggy’s Trust.

Successful candidates will be invited to a two-day camp at Punchestown on August 2nd and 3rd.

The camp will be fully funded by Tiggy’s Trust who are so grateful to Punchestown for the use of their facilities and also to the top international trainers Heather Coyle and Sue Smallman who have agreed to train the young eventers and will be travelling with the group to Blair this year alongside Alan Hatton whose expert guidance last year led the games team to victory.

In addition, education modules will be included at the camp that will give the riders the knowledge to understand both their pony’s needs when travelling and teach them the value of team support and friendship.

In a wonderful acknowledgement of the success of last year’s trip, Blair is running a CCIP2* competition alongside the FEI105 this year for the first time. This will enable the pony riders that wish to achieve an MER to do so in teams alongside pony riders who are in the 105.

Funding provided

Funding for both the trip and the training camp is provided by Tiggys Trust. This will cover entry fees, horses transport and paperwork for travel, stabling, the communal mess tent and camping pitches for riders and their families. Participants will need to cover their own travel and insurance, together with feed for their horses and their share of the food bills. The Trust is overwhelmed by the generosity of the coaches and trainers who continue to give their expertise to our young riders so freely.

Any riders wishing to apply to join the trip should apply on TiggysTrust.com before July 21st.