History comes to life at this year's SEIB Borders Festival
of the Horse
The thunder of hooves will soon be heard again all over
the Scottish Borders, heralding the start of the SEIB Borders
Festival of the Horse from 16 - 26 May. This unique festival
attracts visitors from all over the country by an 11-day gourmet
choice of forty equestrian events for riders and spectators.
The festival is organised by the Borders branch of BHS Scotland
and is sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers for the
first time this year. Angela Genetti, BHS Tourism Development
Officer, is delighted: "This generous support of SEIB
is helping us to spread the word about this unique festival
and to attract more visitors to the beautiful Scottish Borders,
Scotland's Horse Country." Nicolina MacKenzie, SEIB Marketing
Manager, said: "South Essex Insurance Brokers are delighted
to have the opportunity to sponsor such a prestigious event,
especially as it gives horse riders the chance to try their
hand at so many other disciplines in a controlled environment."
There are ten guided rides to choose from and this year's
theme is 'Reivers & Rustlers' to highlight the unique
history and culture of the Borders. Tracks once used by the
marauding and pillaging Reivers for stealing cattle, today
provide peaceful ways for exploring the rolling countryside
of the Borders on horseback. The region is renowned for having
some of the best horse riding country in Britain including
the 350km South of Scotland Countryside Trails network. Visiting
riders are encouraged to bring their horse on holiday and
enjoy the warm hospitality at the BHS approved Horses Welcome
B&Bs in the region.
Festival highlights include horse-logging demonstrations staged
by Forestry Commission Scotland - a great opportunity to see
working horses in action. Visitors can also enjoy equestrian
theatre by Les Amis d'Onno featuring beautiful Frisian horses,
a cheeky Fjord pony, liberty acts and trick riding. This year's
festival very much encourages people to have a go at various
disciplines of the sport with 'try your hand' events for riding,
vaulting and TREC. Popular events such as Floors Castle Horse
Trials, Kelso Races, Heavy Horses and the Grand Competition
Day are back in the programme. The festival won the Borders
Award for Excellence in Rural Diversification last year and
is going from strength to strength.
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