Join Us For Four Days of Equestrian Sport

For Irish visitors, a trip to Scone Palace International Horse Trials is closer than you might think.

Flights from Dublin or Belfast will take you to Edinburgh or Glasgow in under an hour, and from there you’re only another hour to Perth.  

Or make a proper trip of it, and pack the kids and the dog into the car and enjoy a ferry ride from Belfast to Cairnryan.

With four days of world-class sport and countryside hospitality, the event brings together elite riders, rising stars and grassroots competitors across a packed programme.  

Set against the backdrop of Scone Palace - home to Perth Racecourse, the UK’s most northerly racetrack - you will find few settings as fitting for an equestrian weekend away.

Beyond the international eventing that headlines the event, the sporting card runs deep. The Malcolm Group Grand Prix brings top international showjumping combinations into the main arena for a fast, thrilling class, while British Showjumping, Arena Eventing, Pony Club Games, Native Breed Showing and the Scottish Grassroots Championships deliver near-continuous action across three arenas.

It's the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) classes that deserves a special mention here. Last year's RoR Amateur Ridden qualifier was won by Stattler, the ten-year-old Stowaway gelding who won the National Hunt Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival and ran in the 2024 Grand National under trainer Willie Mullins.

Now retired and produced in the show ring by Beth Clark for owner Ronnie Bartlett, Stattler's move from Cheltenham glory to the show ring is exactly the kind of story that gives this class its edge. This is your chance to see legends of the track reinvented and catch up with familiar racing names on new territory.

See below, and for a more detailed breakdown of what’s on each day, see the timetable page from August onwards.  

Summary Timetable page 

NOT JUST HORSES

More Than Just Horses

As with any great equestrian festival, there's plenty here beyond the arenas. A bustling shopping village brings together country clothing, equestrian brands and artisan producers, while our social hubs offer someplace for you to eat, drink, and relax with live action from the arenas playing to the big screens.  

And when the sporting action winds down, the party gets going!

Three nights of evening entertainment deliver live music, a full-blown Scottish ceilidh and a disco to see the celebrations through to late. Well-stocked bars and Perth Racecourse's own Paddock and Chips keep everyone fed and watered until late, guaranteeing a proper Scottish hoolie to round off each day.

HOrse Scotland

Made for Familes

Scone Palace International Horse Trials is a brilliant event for kids, and it won't break the bank either! Under 12s go free, and 12–16 year olds get in from just £12.

Once you're through the gates, head straight for the Horse Scotland Village, packed with things to keep horse-mad kids grinning all day: hop on the Horse Simulator, say hello to the therapy ponies, cheer on the dog classes, and swap stories at the Pony Club Chat.

Add in ice cream vans, delicious pizzas and burgers, and world-class horses jumping right in front of you, and you've all you need for a proper family adventure.

Stena Line

Getting Here From Ireland

By ferry: Stena Line and P&O sail Belfast–Cairnryan in around 2 hours; from there it’s roughly a 3-hour drive to Perth. This is a convenient option for those taking a vehicle, and affordable combined public transport tickets are available for foot passengers.

By air: Direct flights connect Dublin, Belfast and Cork to Edinburgh and Glasgow in around 1 hour each. This is fastest way to reach the event. Perth itself sits just an hour’s drive from either city making Scone Palace one of the most accessible international events in the equestrian calendar.

Camping

Camping at the Horse Trials

Wake up on-site and enjoy the full event experience from start to finish when you book a pitch for your motorhome, horsebox or tent.

Our camping options offer a relaxed, sociable and convenient way to experience Scone Palace International Horse Trials. With five nights on-site from Wednesday 26 to Monday 31 August, you can settle in, explore at your own pace and enjoy everything the event has to offer without the need to travel each day.

Book your caravan, motorhome or horsebox and you will enjoy a 12m x 8m pitch for five nights. Suitable for a motorhome with awning, a Horsebox under 7.5 tonne or caravan with one car. 

Book your large tent and you will enjoy a 7m x 8m pitch suitable for a 4-6 person tent and one car. Includes a maximum of 6 guests.

Explore Perthshire

Exploring the Area

Scone Palace is situated in the heart of beautiful Perthshire, known for its outstanding beauty and award-winning culture. While you're here, build in time to explore beyond the showground. Perth itself is full of independent shops, riverside walks and excellent restaurants, and makes an easy base for the wider Perth and Kinross area. 

From lochs and glens to world-class whisky distilleries, 

And becasue Perth is so centrally located, you're only an hour or two away from all seven Scottish cities, and every beautiful wee town, pub and loch in between!

Give yourself an extra day or two and turn your sporting trip into a proper Scottish holiday.