Welcome to Blair: behind the scenes at the European Championships *PICTURES*

With the European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle almost here (10-13 September), we take a look at those who have arrived and their first impressions.

From kilts to stunning scenery, this year’s championships are already impressing some of the world’s top eventers.

William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero set off on their long journey from their Dorset base

Holly Woodhead and her Blair ride DHI Lupison get a good send off from her team in Wiltshire

Izzy Taylor’s Briarlands Matlida settles straight into her surroundings

Irish rider Austin O’Connor gets overtaken by a speedy, newly crowned Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials winner Michael Jung

Nicola Wilson and One Two Many take in the stunning surroundings of Blair Castle

British riders Holly Woodhead and Laura Collett prepare for a morning hack

Continued below…

10 ways to get into the spirit of the Blair European Eventing Championships

Check out our fun ways to be part of the action from your sofa or desk

12 ways to make the most of your visit to Blair’s eventing Europeans

Read on for great tips on what not to miss while you’re in Scotland this week

Francis Whittington bids his son farewell for the week at Burghley before he heads up to the championships

The Germans arrive in Scotland

Gemma Tattersall’s mum is very excited about the opportunity of being a part of Team GBR

After his fall at Burghley, Michael Jung makes good use of a segway to avoid walking on his sore ankle…

…and he’s pretty nifty with it!

H&H’s eventing guru, Pippa Roome starts her long journey up to Blair

Ireland’s Camilla Speirs rides her dimunitive little horse Portersize Just A Jiff against the stunning backdrop Blair offers

Blair was bathed in sunshine  yesterday (7 September) — long may it continue!

Kitty King’s ride Persimmon enjoys a pick of grass

Course designer Ian Stark offers a truly Scottish themed cross-country challenge for horses and riders this weekend

Remember that the Horse & Hound team will be on site to bring you all the action as it happens through our H&H Live service and daily reports and video interviews with the riders.

Follow the British team members via Twitter this week to ensure you don’t miss a thing:

Laura Collett — @CollettEventing
Dani Evans — @DLEventing
William Fox-Pitt — @foxpitteventing
Kitty King — @kittyeventing
Wills Oakden — @WOakdenEventing
Gemma Tattersall — @GTeventing
Izzy Taylor — @1izzytaylor
Oliver Townend — @Oliver_Townend
Francis Whittington — @FWeventing
Nicola Wilson — @NWEventing
Holly Woodhead — @hollyWoodhead2

Gemma Redrup

H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.