Due to the intense and persistent rainfall experienced over recent weeks, the Epworth Equestrian event planned for 2nd March 2024 has had to be abandoned.
British Eventing (BE) officials made the tough decision following site inspection on 23rd February. The excessive waterlogging deemed that there was no other option but to abandon.
This, the first BE event cancellation of 2024 will invoke the use of the newly launched British Eventing Abandonment Support fund (ASF) for the first time. This fund aims to help out in the event of cancellation/abandonment of equestrian eventing fixtures due to extreme and/or weather conditions and will reimburse members who had already entered the event.
The fund arose in response to the problems faced during abandoned events during 2023; further information and explanations of how the fund works can be found here.
British Eventing CEO, Rosie Williams, stated on their website “this is so sad for the team at Epworth who have worked extremely hard with a view of trying to run. They have had three pumps running continuously for days but unfortunately, with the rain not stopping it, just isn’t having enough of an impact.
“Fortunately, their specific business model has allowed for a reduced financial risk to themselves and a result, Epworth have generously offered to top up the reimbursement that members will receive in addition to making contribution to the Abandonment Support Fund for the benefit of all members.”
The organisers of Epworth, John and Sharon Gibbons have commented on how devastating it is for them to have to abandon but they agree, there is no other option. The relentless rain has caused the ground to be so waterlogged that they are unable to rectify the problem in time for the event. They have, extremely generously, toppedup the amount refunded to competitors, statingthat this was “the best possible solution as it will not only assist those that entered with us, but also the wider sport”,
BE will contact all members concerned via email affected by this abandonment.
News Reporter, Everything Horse