The issues and challenges of running eventing in Scotland

As the calendar is squeezed to seven events in 2023, H&H looks at the issues and what is being done

- BECKY MURRAY

CONCERNS about the Scottish eventing calendar have been discussed – with hopes new events could be on the horizon.

Last month Glamis Castle organisers announced their British Eventing (BE) fixture (5–6 August) will not run this year, owing to the “hard reality of running a greenfield site with limited ability to offset rising costs and the uncertainty of major sponsorship”.

This meant Scotland’s 2023 calendar would have seven fixtures at five venues – compared to 13 at 10 venues in 2013. Since 2018 the calendar has lost Hendersyde, Aswanley, Scotsburn and Eglinton.

BE Scotland rider representative Grace Moran stepped down last month owing to frustration that there is “no real drive” from BE for new events in Scotland.

“I was told they have to ensure events run to capacity to make it viable for organisers, and if we introduce more events there is a chance this will dilute entries,” she said.

“I get the logic, but I think it’s short-sighted of BE, because at the moment Scottish events are running to capacity. But where’s the growth? Where’s the encouragement for new members? Riders won’t join if we keep losing events.”

Grassroots eventer Marion Dreelan, who is launching Aberdeenshire equestrian centre Bogenraith Equestrian Ltd, told H&H she believes the “pressure and expectations” of holding events in Scotland falls on landowners or organisers.