South of Scotland Horse Trials, Kirkcudbrightshire

That the Parliament congratulates the organisers, competitors, volunteers and supportersof the South of Scotland Horse Trials, which are held at Valleyfield Farm nearTwynholm in Kirkcudbrightshire; recognises what it considers to be the rapidsuccess and growing reputation of the event since its launch, including itsinclusion on the official British Eventing calendar; notes that the eventmarked the return of affiliated eventing competition to Dumfries and Gallowayfor the first time since the 1990s, representing a significant milestone forequestrian sport in the region; understands that the horse trials showcase thediscipline of eventing, combining dressage, cross-country and showjumping totest the skill, accuracy and endurance of both horse and rider; commends thevision, leadership and sustained hard work of Tom, Sarah and Nina Clark, andtheir wider team, in establishing and delivering what it believes to be ahigh-quality and professionally-run competition; notes that the event attractscompetitors, spectators and sponsors from across Scotland, the rest of the UKand beyond, helping to promote Kirkcudbrightshire and the wider south ofScotland as a destination for sport, tourism and rural enterprise; acknowledgesthe important role played by local businesses, landowners, sponsors andvolunteers in supporting the event; recognises what it sees as the wider importanceof equestrian events in contributing to rural economies and strengtheningScotland’s events sector, which contributes billions of pounds annually to thenational economy; further recognises ongoing efforts to position the south ofScotland as “Scotland’s Horse Country” and as a leading centre for equestriantourism and activity, and wishes the South of Scotland Horse Trials continuedsuccess in the years ahead as it aims to grow its reputation, support local communitiesand help to put the area firmly on the equestrian map.