Scotland has a brand‑new headline equestrian event: Scone Palace International Horse Trials 2025. Across four action‑packed days (21th–24th August) you’ll see world‑class riders tackle dressage, cross‑country and showjumping in the historic parklands below Scone Palace and around Perth Racecourse. It’s the inaugural running, created with British Eventing and set to become Scotland’s flagship horse trials.
At‑a‑glance: key info for Scone Palace International Horse Trials 2025
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Dates: Thursday 21st – Sunday 24th August 2025 (stabling opens from 19 Aug for competitors).
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Location: Scone Palace & Perth Racecourse, Perth, Scotland.
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Gates open: 08:00 daily (shopping village 09:00–17:30 Thu–Sat; 09:00–17:00 Sun).
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Ticket types: Day, Weekend, Season + Membership (access to Members’ Marquee); children under 16 go free with a paying adult (pre‑book required).
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Headline classes: FEI CCI4-L* (long) & CCI4-S* (short) plus CCI3*-L, CCI2*-L, CCI1*-Intro and Pony 2*; British Showjumping; NPS Scotland Finals; native breeds; hunter show; Pony Club Games; arena eventing; grassroots festival.
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Parking: Free on site (priority for Members).
What’s special about Scone Palace International Horse Trials? (new event, world‑class sport)
Launched with British Eventing, Scone is Scotland’s only CCI4-L* horse trials from 2025, aiming squarely at the top tier of the sport. Expect “four thrilling days” of international competition set against the River Tay and palace backdrop, with shopping, local food and evening entertainment on site.
The event also announced the Georgie Campbell Foundation as its supported charity for 2025, underlining a strong focus on rider welfare and safety.
Scone Palace International Horse Trials 2025 schedule & “best day to visit”
How the eventing phases run (dressage, cross‑country, showjumping)
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Thu & Fri: All levels complete dressage.
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Sat: Long‑format (CCI‑L) classes go cross‑country; short‑format (CCI‑S) show‑jump.
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Sun: CCI‑S cross‑country; CCI‑L show‑jumping (the decider) in the main arena.
The FEI‑approved schedule confirms the levels, timetable window and technical specs (course lengths, speeds, prize money). If you’re there for the big gallops and set‑piece fences, Saturday is your classic “XC day” for the long classes; if you enjoy a nail‑biting arena finish, Sunday’s CCI4-L show‑jumping* is your moment.
What else is on beyond eventing?
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British Showjumping (90cm–1.30m) all weekend, including the Scone Palace Grand Prix on Saturday.
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NPS Scotland Finals (Fri), Native Breed Show (Thu), Hunter Show (Thu), Retraining of Racehorses (Thu), Arena Eventing (Sat), Pony Club Mounted Games (Sun), and Grassroots Eventing (Wed–Thu).
Pro tip: Timetables are provisional and can change with weather or entries—always check the By Day schedule on the official site the week you travel.
Scone Palace International Horse Trials 2025 tickets & memberships (what to buy, what you get)
Ticket types and inclusions
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General Admission: Access to arenas & cross‑country, shopping village, food & drink. Parking included.
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Membership: All the above plus Members’ Marquee (private bar/lounge), priority parking, VIP loos and a free programme—available as Day, Weekend or Season passes.
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Children: Under‑16s go free with a paying adult, but you must add their free tickets at checkout. Membership admits one under‑16 free per adult; additional children are 50% of the adult price.
Indicative prices: third‑party listings currently show from ~£23 for day admission up to ~£90, subject to session/day. Always check the official box office for live pricing.
Course Walk tickets (sell out fast)
Guided Cross‑Country Course Walks with a special guest run Thu (14:00) and Fri (10:00, 12:00, 14:00); gate price £20. Book early if available online.
Is there camping at Scone Palace International Horse Trials?
Yes—3‑night and 5‑night options (tents in a separate area from caravans/horseboxes), with optional electric hook‑up, extra car add‑ons, and dog‑friendly rules. Current status indicates camping has sold out (“Fully Booked”) at the time of writing—check back in case of returns.
Check‑in/out:
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Season camping check‑in from 12:00 Wed 20 Aug; weekend camping from 12:00 Fri 22 Aug; check‑out by 11:00 Mon 25 Aug. (Campsite quiet hours 22:00–06:00; BBQs off the ground; no EV charging on site.)
Getting to Scone Palace: parking, traffic & public transport
Driving & parking (free)
Follow event signage from the A93/Stormontfield Road. Parking is free, with priority parking for Members. Expect busy roads on approach and allow extra time.
Traffic & gates: Traffic Scotland warns of heavier‑than‑usual traffic on the A9/A85/M90/M9 across 21–24 Aug; gates open 08:00 each day.
By train, bus, taxi & air
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Train: Perth station is ~3 miles with a taxi rank; buses also run—pre‑book cabs at peak times.
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Bus: Stagecoach services operate across the city.
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Helicopter/private aircraft: Helipad in the picnic enclosure (advance notice required); Scone Aerodrome (Perth Airport) is ~2 miles.
EV charging near Scone Palace
While there’s no EV charging in the event campsite, Perth & Kinross Council lists 35 public chargers across 13 locations in the area—use these on route/in town.
Family‑friendly guide: things to do with kids (and dogs)
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Kids go free (under 16, with a paying adult; add free tickets at checkout).
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Willowgate Adventure Centre Pop‑Up Activity Zone: free have‑a‑go axe throwing, archery, laser clay & mini Highland Games—just turn up.
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Dogs welcome across the site (on secure leads); £20 charity charge if off‑lead; no dogs in the Members’ Marquee (lawn is fine). Water points and dog‑waste bins provided.
Accessibility at Scone Palace International Horse Trials
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Blue Badge parking near the main entrance; bring your own seating if helpful.
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Mobility scooters are available to pre‑book via Event Mobility.
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Essential companion: one carer goes free with a paid ticket (contact the office after purchase).
Shopping, food & evening entertainment
A curated shopping village (09:00–17:30 Thu–Sat; until 17:00 Sun) mixes national brands with Perthshire producers. Expect evening entertainment Thursday–Saturday (programme TBC—watch the official news page).
Where to stay near Scone Palace (Perthshire hotels, B&Bs, camping & luxury)
Perth city centre, Dunkeld, Blairgowrie, Pitlochry and Strathearn all make excellent bases, from boutique hotels to glamping. If you want something truly special, Scone Estates’ Balvaird Wing offers 5‑star accommodation overlooking the parkland.
Practical tips from seasoned spectators
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Arrive early for cross‑country—walk to a feature fence and settle in before the first horses set out. (Course Walk tickets are a great way to learn lines and tactics from a pro.)
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Pack smart: waterproof, layers, hat, sunscreen, portable phone battery, reusable water bottle (free taps on site), and a folding chair (allowed).
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Cash & connectivity: There’s a cash machine at Perth Racecourse; signal can be patchy on busy days.
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Palace visit: Your horse trials ticket doesn’t include palace entry—book separately if you want a tour.
One last checklist before you go
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Tickets (and child tickets added), membership lanyards if applicable.
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Layered clothing & waterproofs; folding chair; refillable bottle (free taps available).
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Plan your XC viewing spot, or book a Course Walk to learn the lines.
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Allow extra travel time; check Traffic Scotland on the day.
Scone Palace International Horse Trials 2025 – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Scone Palace International Horse Trials 2025?
A: Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 August 2025, at Scone Palace & Perth Racecourse, Perth, Scotland.
Q: What time do the gates open and when does the shopping village trade?
A: Gates open at 08:00 daily. The shopping village is 09:00–17:30 (Thu–Sat) and 09:00–17:00 (Sun); the showground closes at 18:00 (Thu–Sat) and 17:00 (Sun).
Q: Where exactly is the Scone Palace International Horse Trials held?
A: In the parklands of Scone Palace and the adjacent Perth Racecourse, on the outskirts of Perth, Scotland.
Q: How do I get there by car, train or bus?
A: Driving routes are signposted from the A93/Stormontfield Road with event signage; from the south/east use M90/A90→A85; from the north/west use the A9→Cross Tay Link Road. Perth rail station is ~3 miles (taxis and local buses available).
Q: Is parking free and is there priority parking for Members?
A: Yes—parking is free for ticket‑holders, with on‑site priority parking for Members.
Q: Are dogs allowed at Scone Palace International Horse Trials?
A: Yes—dogs are welcome on secure leads. They aren’t permitted inside the Members’ Marquee (lawn is okay). If a dog is off‑lead or not under control there’s a £20 charity charge and you may be asked to leave. Please don’t leave dogs in cars.
Q: Do children need tickets? Do kids go free?
A: Under‑16s go free with general admission but must be added at checkout (up to six per paying adult). For Membership, one under‑16 per adult is free; additional children are 50% of the adult Membership price.
Q: When will I receive my tickets or Membership packs?
A: General admission e‑tickets are emailed 2–4 weeks before the event. Membership swing badges/wristbands are posted 2–4 weeks before.
Q: Can I buy tickets on the gate?
A: Yes, subject to availability. Course‑walk and Members’ Marquee allocations are limited, so pre‑booking is recommended.
Q: Is there camping on site and when are check‑in/out times?
A: Yes—3‑night and 5‑night options (tents in a separate area to caravans/horseboxes). Current status shows camping “Fully Booked.” Check‑in from 12:00 Wed 20 Aug (season) or 12:00 Fri 22 Aug (weekend); check‑out by 11:00 Mon 25 Aug.
Q: What day is cross‑country and what happens on other days?
A: International Eventing cross‑country runs on Saturday and Sunday; showjumping phases run in the main arenas alongside. Dressage phases start earlier in the week. Always check the live “By Day” schedule.
Q: Are there cross‑country course walks?
A: Yes—hosted course walks are scheduled for Thursday (14:00) and Friday (10:00, 12:00, 14:00) and are limited‑capacity, paid extras.
Q: Does my horse trials ticket include entry to Scone Palace?
A: No—palace entry is separate and must be booked with Scone Palace directly.
Q: Is there evening entertainment?
A: Yes—Thursday, Friday and Saturday night programming is advertised; details and acts are promoted on official channels as they’re confirmed.
Q: Is the event accessible—can I hire a mobility scooter and is there Blue Badge parking?
A: Event Mobility provides pre‑bookable mobility scooters at the main entrance near the disabled car park; Blue Badge parking is signposted close to the entrance.
Q: Are there cash machines and drinking water on site? Can I bring a camping chair?
A: There’s a cash machine at Perth Racecourse, multiple drinking‑water taps, and you’re welcome to bring a camping chair or collapsible stool.
Q: Are there EV chargers on site or nearby?
A: Use public chargers in Perth & Kinross (35 chargers across 13 locations); plan to top‑up in town rather than on the event site.
Q: Do British Horse Society (BHS) members get a discount?
A: Yes—BHS members are offered 10% off general admission (one‑time code via BHS e‑news; terms apply).
Q: What should I wear to Scone Palace International Horse Trials?
A: There’s no dress code for spectators. Prioritise weatherproof layers, comfortable footwear for grass/parkland walking, and avoid items that might flap or spook horses (e.g., big umbrellas near arenas).
Q: Is it family‑friendly—are there activities for kids?
A: Yes—a free Willowgate Adventure Centre pop‑up offers have‑a‑go sessions such as axe‑throwing, archery, laser clay and mini Highland Games (ages/availability may vary).
, ticket & membership options, cross‑country schedule, parking & travel, camping, family activities, accessibility, where to stay near Perth, and expert tips to make the most of your visit.){kind=link}