Sarah Bullimore and Conpierre at the 2019 iteration of the NAF International Hartpury Horse Trials. The CCI4*-S class is a popular prep run for Burghley, whose fate has not yet been decided. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Gloucestershire’s Hartpury Equine, the events sector of Hartpury University, has announced today (May 7) that its 2020 roster of international competitions will not go ahead due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The cancelled events span the disciplines and include the NAF International Hartpury Horse Trials, scheduled to take place from August 13-16 and spanning the levels from 2*–4*, and the FEI European Championships for Juniors and Young Riders, scheduled for July 27–August 2.
Phillip Cheetham, Equine Director at Hartpury, said in a statement: “While we are extremely disappointed not to be running any of these competitions in 2020, we feel this is a necessary decision to make in the current circumstances. The health of staff, volunteers, officials, competitors and visitors to Hartpury remains our top priority as well as reducing any unnecessary pressure on our local NHS services.”
“So much work has gone into the preparation for the FEI Championships, and we’ll continue to work hard with the FEI to find a way to run the competition bigger and better in the future years. We’d like to thank all our long-standing supporters and sponsors, NAF in particular, who have done so much to help prepare for our 2020 events and we look forward to working with them again in future. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for celebrations beside the International Arena when these challenging times are behind us.”
Hartpury has confirmed that it has broached the subject of staging further Championships at the venue, and has also assured ticket holders that they can expect a refund in the coming weeks. All on-site accommodation booked will also be refunded.
The NAF International Hartpury Horse Trials will return in 2021 with provisional dates of August 11–15.
