Plans are under way for Scotland’s first three-star showjumping fixture for many years. The prize-money for the show will be a minimum of £104,500.
The international classes will be part of a nine-day show to be held at Ingliston Country Club, Renfrewshire in July 2014.
The dates have been submitted to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and will not be ratified until November next year.
But Paul Fraser of Ingliston is confident it will go ahead. He wants to couple the three-star show with the Renfrewshire County Fair and Home Pony International, which already run at the show centre.
“It will be good for domestic riders, but will also help to put British showjumping on the international scene,” he said. “We want it to be a must-do for international riders.”
Iain Graham of British Showjumping forwarded the dates to the FEI last week.
He said if the show goes ahead, it will form an important part of the British and Irish tour that currently includes the British Masters at South View and Millstreet and Mullingar in Ireland.
He added: “It is a good opportunity for British riders to compete internationally without incurring large travel charges and to encourage overseas riders to come to this country. It will also help us develop our officials.”
Scottish showjumper Aileen Craig said it was “fantastic news”.
“So many Scottish horses get sold on before they get to this level, but news like this, and [Scottish rider] Scott Brash’s tremendous result in the Olympics, gives us something to aim for,” she said.
“I will certainly go to this show. My best horse, Quiberon D, has just been sold, but I have some nice seven-year-olds that should be ready in time.”
If Glasgow’s bid for the 2018 Youth Olympics were successful, Ingliston would host the showjumping competitions.
“We should know by next Easter,” added Mr Fraser.
This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (27 September 2012)
