Flying the flag for Decaid at Blair international horse trials and country fair

Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair has chosen DecAid to be the official charity appeal for the 2011 event. Taking place over 4 days from 18-21 August, the Horse Trials is Scotland's leading equestrian event and one of just five events in Britain to run at such a high level. The competition will be hotter than ever this year as the best 18 to 21 year old riders in Europe travel to the spectacular highland setting to do battle in the FEI European Young Rider Eventing Championships.

DecAid is a year-long charity appeal to commemorate the tenth anniversary of British Armed Forces in Afghanistan, and has so far received the backing of such diverse luminaries as Prime Minister David Cameron, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and travel writer and presenter Michael Palin. In December 2010 the team were honoured that HRH The Duchess of Rothesay agreed to become the Royal Patron of DecAid. The appeal has also been endorsed by numerous eminent military figures, including General Sir Nick Parker, Commander-in-Chief of British Land Forces.

DecAid aims to raise £350,000 during the year, and funds will be shared amongst three long-standing Service charities: Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), The British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association (BLESMA) and Talking 2 Minds. Adventurer and survival expert Bear Grylls has given his support to the cause, saying "DecAid is doing vital life changing work to help those British soldiers injured in the line of duty. I admire both the soldiers and DecAid's mission so much, and I feel a real sense of duty to get behind them and help them in their goal."

DecAid will be in attendance at Scotland's leading equestrian event raising funds and increasing awareness of the three charities and the vital work they do in supporting British service personnel and their families. Rupert Laing, one of the founders of the appeal, said at the launch of the partnership "DecAid is thrilled to have been chosen as the official charity appeal for such a high profile event and we are looking forward to creating an exciting partnership. Raising funds and boosting the profile of our three charities, SSAFA, BLESMA and Talking2Minds is so important, as the work they do for injured serving and ex-servicemen and women is crucial. Whether or not people support military action, supporting our brave soldiers, sailors and airmen themselves is so important."

Hannah Wilkins, Assistant Director of the event, echoed Rupert's thoughts on the partnership. "We are really pleased to have the opportunity to help such a worthwhile charity appeal in its fundraising efforts. The sport of eventing has its roots in the military, having originated as a way to test officer's horses - dressage showed their suitability for ceremonial duties, cross country their bravery, speed and strength on the battlefield, and the show jumping was a test of a horse's fitness to come out and perform again after the exertion of the charge. Throughout the years the sport has inevitably become more refined and developed in to the modern version we see today, but there are still plenty of military competitors."

The event has another military link in that Canine Partners will be displaying their work in the Bruadar Country Fair Arena over the weekend. The organisation trains assistance dogs to help disabled people with everyday tasks ranging from laundry to visiting the supermarket, and many of the dogs it has trained now help military personnel who have been injured in the line of duty.

The DecAid team has a number of other fundraising events taking place throughout the year, but some of their most ambitious adventurers will be passing through the Horse Trials as part of their Munro Mission. A gruelling endurance experience, cited by Sir Ranulph Fiennes as "one of the most demanding physical challenges within the UK", participants aim to conquer all 283 Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet without motorised transport in just 49 days. This feat has only been completed by nine people to date. To complete in 49 days the team will have to run and cycle 36 miles every day, ascending 81 vertical miles in the process - the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest fourteen-and-a-half times.

Come along to Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair to enjoy four action packed days of top competition, fabulous shopping and of course the Bruadar Country Fair displays taking place on Saturday and Sunday. Meet the DecAid team on their stand to show your support for British service personnel and help them reach their fundraising target!

For more information and to purchase advance tickets, click here. For more information on DecAid, visit

Flying the flag for Decaid at Blair international horse trials and country fair

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