Championship hopes, plus plans for spectators
New-look championships are in the pipeline, while racing explores allowing crowds to return to watch the action
RESCHEDULED championships and plans for the first spectators are offering fresh hope to riders and equestrian sport fans.
Riders have welcomed British Dressage’s (BD) plans to reschedule the Winter Championships and Area Festival finals at Hartpury for 17 to 23 August, after the event was cancelled in April.
The championships will have a different feel, to run in-line with Covid-19 protocols, including no spectators, no tradestands and all classes held outside.
Dannie Morgan, who has won multiple winter titles, told H&H it is “really exciting” the championships is back on.
“I’m sure it’s not been an easy task and all us riders are really thankful to BD for managing it,” he said. “It will be a good opportunity to get the younger horses out in a different environment – they have all progressed from where they were [in their training] should the championships have gone ahead in April, so it’s nice for them to go back out and have an easier time.”
Alice Oppenheimer was also full of praise for BD and event organisers Show Direct.
“It’s going to be a different experience to the one we know and love, but at last we can bring this championship cycle to a conclusion for those who have qualified,” she said.
BD chief executive Jason Brautigam added: “It will be a very different championships, but after months of lockdown the chance to compete and celebrate success will be as special as ever.”
British Showjumping (BS) is seeking applications from organisers to host a championship show over cancelled Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) week (7–11 October). It is to include a number of national finals, set to take place at the BS National Championships and HOYS.
SPECTATORS TO RETURN
THE final day of the Goodwood Festival (28 July–1 August) has been chosen as one of the pilot events to trial welcoming crowds back to elite sporting venues in England.
Attendance will initially be offered to Goodwood’s annual members and their guests, with a maximum of 5,000 people (plus participants) allowed on site.
“The safety protocols involved will be stringent,” said Racecourse Association chief executive and chair of the welcoming crowds industry group David Armstrong, adding it is hoped this will lead to draft industry-wide protocols for the return of spectators.
The Point-to-Point Authority Board has given the green light for an early start to the season following support from owners and trainers (news, 2 April).
It is hoped the sport will go ahead with spectators, but there are contingency plans for a reduced programme, and the possibility of “behind closed car doors” as an option for the public.