Chris Burton took the ERM title for the second year in a row in 2019. Photo courtesy of Event Rider Masters.
Back for a fifth season, Event Rider Masters has today confirmed its 2020 calendar. The upcoming series will consist of six legs in four countries, including a new British host that brings a second ERM leg back to UK shores. ERM 2020 will once again provide the world’s top event riders with chance to stake their claim on a share of the £350,000 series prize fund.
The 2020 Event Rider Masters Calendar is confirmed as:
Leg 1 – Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International – Norfolk, UK – April 10th & 11th
Leg 2 – The Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials – Derbyshire, UK – May 16th & 17th
Leg 3 – Concours Complet D’Arville – Belgium – June 27th & 28th
Leg 4 – Les Haras de Jardy Eventing Show – Paris, France – July 11th & 12th
Leg 5 – Millstreet International Horse Trials – County Cork, Ireland – August 28th & 29th
Leg 6 The Finale – Concours Complet International Lignières en Berry – France – October 10th & 11th
Burnham Market in Great Britain takes the place of Weisbaden Pfingsturnier in Germany.
Jim O’Toole, CEO of Event Rider Masters, explains, “The 2020 calendar will provide a great sporting series. With the addition of Burnham Market we now include a venue that has proven itself exceptionally popular with the world’s best event riders. We are disappointed not to be returning to Germany for the Wiesbaden Pfingsturnier, but an extremely congested German competition calendar forced this decision for 2020. The fan base of ERM continues to grow globally and we continue to drive value for our expanding group of commercial partners. We anticipate further growth in 2020 as our world class riders create a great sporting spectacle for all to enjoy.”
Alec Lochore, Burnham Market Event Director, added, “We are delighted to be hosting the opening leg of ERM 2020. It’s a perfect fit for us – the top riders descend on our corner of North Norfolk every spring, so to be able to offer them an ERM class as well as our regular three star, four star and national classes is the icing on the cake. I have worked with the ERM team previously, up at Blair Castle, so have seen first-hand the excitement the class generates, with its generous prize money and live streaming opportunities. I’m really looking forward to showcasing our event to an international audience.”
Launched in 2016, ERM condenses traditional eventing format into two days of competition with a shortened cross country course. The ERM Series is fully approved by the FEI and runs under the FEI CCI4*S rules. The live broadcast of ERM is comprehensive and freely available globally online, with fan interaction encouraged via the ERM Fan League.
ERM is the most valuable series in the sport of eventing, with an unprecedented total prize-money fund of £350,000. The prize pot for the UK leg is £50,000 while each European leg offers €57,000. The riders compete for the much-coveted ERM Series Championship Title and an additional £50,000 series prize fund shared by the top three riders at the end of the season.
Australia’s Chris Burton has won the ERM Series Championship Title for two consecutive years through his consistent top form at the ERM Legs and will be highly motivated to defend his title during the 2020 season. Stay tuned!
