The very last competitor to head down the trot-up strip on the final day of the last-ever Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials was Frenchman Astier Nicolas. Sporting full traditional Scottish dress, Astier and his CCI4*L partner, Dirty Old Town, flew through the final inspection, thrilling the Sunday morning crowds as they went – and setting the tone for the rest of the day to follow.
The CCI1* was headed up by Britain’s Max Warburton, who led from the start, adding nothing to his first phase score of 30.4 to clinch the Section E title with Karla Wheatcroft’s Monbeg Condor.
Following his win, Max said “I’m chuffed to bits with him. We saw him at a sales in Ireland at the end of last year and I called his now owner to say we had to have him. She bought him on the spot and he has come out this year, won three events and not added a single thing to any of his dressage scores. For a young one, he is the ultimate professional and absolutely loved the atmosphere and crowds here this week. The 1* was the perfect educational run for him, so to win is a real bonus!”