The British season has been put on hold as the spread of COVID-19 quickens, putting the running of major internationals like Thoresby Park – which replaces Belton – in question. Photo by William Carey.
British Eventing has issued a statement confirming that it will follow the lead of several other major eventing nations in cancelling all forthcoming competition, effective immediately.
The statement comes just hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised citizens to work from home, avoid all non-essential travel and contact, and confirmed that those considered ‘at-risk’ – including pregnant women, over-70s, and people with pre-existing health conditions – will be asked to stay home for 12 weeks.
“The government advice has been to minimise social contact and non-essential travel, and the restrictions on the support of the emergency services means that the responsible decision is to take all action necessary not to further burden the NHS or risk members’ safety at events,” says the statement. “We thank all of our members, organisers, officials, volunteers and staff for their support during these unprecedented times. We will continue to monitor the situation and will resume sporting activity as soon as we are able.”
Refunds will be delivered in full to entries made prior to ballot dates, while those entries now post-ballot will be refunded less the abandonment insurance fee.
Though no prospective end date has been set for the cancellations, they will likely continue beyond the end of March, putting a stop to the first CCI4*-S of the British season at new fixture Thoresby Park.
We’ll be keeping you updated with any further information as we receive it.
