How is competition running under the “new normal”?
Shows and events are running well so far, thanks to the efforts of all
WHAT is working well, ironing out teething problems and what changes are to come are in discussion as equestrian sport reflects on the first two months of post-lockdown sport in England.
British Showjumping (BS), which is holding its national championships at Bolesworth (3–11 August), gave the nod for training shows to return on 2 June and normal shows on 15 June.
“We have managed to adapt in England, but competition is still not allowed in Scotland and Wales and we are working hard on that,” BS CEO Iain Graham told H&H.
“[During lockdown] we were looking to what the likely rules were going to be and what we could work with. We knew there was an appetite from competitors and venues to get up and running.”
Mr Graham said BS spoke to all its venues and some were able to run the training shows, which BS subsidised.
“As restrictions eased further, more venues came on board and we started lower-level competition, to where we are now.
“The members are a very resilient bunch and used to adapting. We are seeing positive comments and maybe some things will be here to stay, with tweaks.”
He said BS had discussed pre-entries before the pandemic, and is looking at possibilities for flexibility in future.
“The old system did allow a lot of flexibility; at the moment it’s pretty strict and the reason organisers aren’t allowing [on the day] spaces is they’re working with reduced capacity,” he said. “I think there will be scope in future for a few spots for those entered at a show to have another round.”
Demand from members across the Olympic disciplines is high.
Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn told H&H they were expecting “quite a bit of interest” for the All England Jumping Championships in September, but the response took them by surprise with more than 4,000 entries in 24 hours.
“We’re sorry to disappoint any riders who have been desperate to get out competing, but we are delighted to be able to run this event after the cancellation of our international shows,” she said.
Eventing’s return is booming, and issues are being addressed.
Many horse trials have been oversubscribed since the sport restarted on 10 July. As organisers try to accommodate entries, this leads to challenges, with requests for extra days, while last-minute changes are tricky for riders.
“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to get the sport going again and to everyone who attended, stuck to the rules, and made the resumption such a success,” said BE CEO Jude Matthews.
“Demand for entries has been as high as we have ever seen it, and this has brought challenges in relation to fixtures planning.
“The shortened timescales between entries opening, ballot date and event start dates has added pressure to managing extra days, so the work to add days and move riders around has been in a much reduced timescale – much closer to the event.”
She said BE has updated its “additional days protocol”.
“This allows us to add days prior to ballot date, and we are starting conversations with potentially impacted organisers earlier,” said Ms Matthews. “We are also looking at moving back towards more normal time frames for entries opening and ballots.”
A British Dressage spokesman told H&H everything seems to be working well, “and a number are quite enjoying the concept of ‘arrive, compete and leave’”.
“There’s been a real sense of community and, on the whole, everyone is pulling together to make it work,” she said. “We’ve worked closely with organisers and judges where there have been specific issues but nothing has been insurmountable. The positive and flexible approach by all has been key to a successful restart in England.”
She added that there is no doubt some new measures “will stay for good” and it has given the sport “good insight to other areas we can change for the better”.
“We’re grateful to everyone for playing their part; we’re not out of it yet so we need everyone to keep it up and stay positive,” she added.
“Everyone’s pulling together”
BRITISH DRESSAGE