Giddy up to Hopetoun House as 400 riders get set for horse trials event

SCOTLAND will boast a new international horse trials event from this summer under plans to attract thousands more visitors to the grounds of one of the nation's most historic stately homes.

Hopetoun House, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is expected to host more than 400 top-class riders over two days just before the Fringe gets underway this summer.

Olympic silver medallist Ian Stark will be designing the course through the 6,500-acre estate, including the gardens and right in front of the main mansion house, near South Queensferry.

Organisers say they expected it to join the circuit of nine established three-star class competitions held across the UK after being endorsed by governing body British Eventing.

Corporate hospitality facilities, a tented shopping village, a fashion show and circus performers will all be provided as part of the event, which will be held on 30 and 31 July.

Hopetoun House - which is well known for hosting major public events like antique fairs and fireworks displays - has been the ancestral home of the Hope family since 1699.

The new International Horse Trials event has been personally instigated by the Earl of Hopetoun, who struck a deal last year to stage pop and rock concerts in his lush grounds.

Event director Stuart Buntine said: "This is a magnificent location for an international event. The fabulous setting in the grounds of this beautiful stately home will provide a unique day out."

Mr Buntine said he hoped the event would bring many leading international riders from the south of England to South Queensferry.

"The opportunity for riders to compete at all levels during the weekend should be a distinct attraction," he said.

Mr Stark, who won four silver medals in eventing at the Olympics in 1984, 1988 and 2000, said: "The Earl of Hopetoun, who lives with his family at the House, is at the centre of the new venture. The park at Hopetoun offers great scope for a very exciting course."

Lord Hopetoun said: "We are delighted to be staging this new and prestigious event."

Hopetoun House is one of the finest examples of the Scottish architects Sir William Bruce and William Adam. In 1974 the Hopetoun House Preservation Trust was created to preserve the building, its historic contents and the landscape for the nation.