SCOTTISH MINISTER of Sport, Shona Robison cut the tape at the launch of Horsescotland at the Blair Castle horse trials.

Horsescotland is the new name for the Scottish Equestrian Association which, alongside its member bodies aims to achieve higher levels of participation and encourage success within all disciplines of the sport.

The reason for rebranding according to Horsescotland chairman, Dr Tim Watson, is to allow the organisation to engage better with its 17 member bodies and the general equestrian public.

The annual economic value to Scotland of equestrian sport and related activities is £300 million with a further £213 million being contributed from the racing industry. Horsescotland is focussed on enhancing enjoyment, improving safety and promoting success within the industry.

After launching Horsescotland, the sports minister presented Muriel Colquhoun MBE with the first life membership, another new initiative announced at Blair. Muriel was influential in the early days of SEA, setting up the organisation and working tirelessly on a voluntary basis to help riders from grass roots level to professional.