Camilla Speirs and BT Border Bandit at Somerford Park. Photo by Nico Morgan.
Weston Park Horse Trials and Somerford Park International have both been lost from the British Eventing calendar, each citing financial hindrances due to abandonment insurance as their reason for departure in this tricky climate for the sport.
Weston Park, which is based in Shropshire, has been a mainstay on the calendar since 1978, and has hosted classes through Advanced as well as Pony Club Championships, and had been scheduled to run on April 6 and 7 this year with a roster of classes from Novice to Advanced — but, crucially, in the tricky weekend between FEI events at Thoresby Park and Burnham Market. Weston was making a welcome return to the calendar after an absence in 2023; previously, it had hosted both an April and an October fixture, with the latter focused on grassroots levels.
“This year for the first time Abandonment Insurance for adverse weather is either not available from Insurance Brokers [or] we have been quoted a 24% premium to cover the sum being insured for Spring and Autumn Events,” write organisers Plant A Fence Events in
a statement on the event’s Facebook page, which explains that the event will no longer continue. “The financial risks of running a green field site event with the added burden of being sandwiched between two FEI events with no chance of a change of date puts us under financial pressure. The lack of Abandonment Insurance at an affordable cost in April weighs heavy, we do have the new BE Abandonment Policy to cover riders entry fees for a 60% entry refund that we have to pay into. Unfortunately for some years Events have been unable to run on entry fees alone. Financial stress to repay Sponsorship, Trade stands, Start Fees, Gate Admission and all our service contracts for a spring event is no longer feasible as they must be covered by insurance, Marquees, Loos, Public Address, Porta Cabins etc… Our Facility Fee (rent) Paid to Weston Park has risen significantly, as have our other costs, all must be paid if we ran or had to cancel.”
Cheshire’s Somerford Park International offers some hope at a return after having to withdraw from the calendar for the second year in a row. The late June fixture offered classes from BE100 through to CCI3*-S.
“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision due to challenges in securing a cost-effective insurance policy for potential bad weather. We understand the disappointment this may cause, and we share in that sentiment,” reads
the event team’s statement. “As an organisation committed to upholding excellence, it is imperative that our events are not only sustainable but also profitable to ensure their continuity and success.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of our fantastic sponsors, especially our title sponsor and partner
Baileys Horse Feeds, for their unwavering support over the years, which has been instrumental in ensuring the event’s continued success.
“We are immensely grateful to our dedicated team of volunteers, whose selfless dedication and generosity of time are truly invaluable.
In particular, we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the late Cliff Parry, who made significant contributions in the scoring team for the horse trials and numerous other events at Somerford. His presence will be deeply missed, and his impact will always be remembered.”
After a tough 2023 season replete with weather-related event cancellations, British Eventing announced in December that it would be introducing an
Abandonment Support Fund – a departure from last season’s requirement for organisers to secure their own policy for their events as an increasing number of insurance underwriters continue to withdraw from this volatile market.
