The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has released a statement regarding the 5* classification at Royal Windsor Horse Show for 2020.
Submission in respect of the classification was due before September 2018. Due to an internal error, the deadline was missed, leaving the 5* level of competition at next year’s show in jeopardy.
The statement reads:
Due to an administrative error at the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), the 5* application in respect of Royal Windsor Horse Show 2020 was missed being submitted to the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) before its September 2018 5* calendar deadline.
When the BEF identified the error it made a late submission to the FEI for 5* consideration. However, it is with enormous regret that we announce this was rejected by the two show organisers, who are also running top-level shows on the same date (La Baule and Madrid)
As a result, a further submission was put forward with both a 3* and 4* classification being approved for Royal Windsor Horse Show between 13- 17 May 2020. Future dates have also been submitted for 5* consideration between 2021-2026.
The BEF is deeply sorry for its error and has put new processes in place to ensure it will not happen again.
The BEF has been in discussions with Show Director of RWHS, Simon Brooks-Ward, since the issue came to light, and the entire BEF Board offers its extreme regret and apologies for its error, which it is well aware will have a significant impact on both Royal Windsor Horse Show and the sport as a whole.
The BEF Board would also like to publicly acknowledge and thank Simon Brooks-Ward for his professionalism and pragmatic approach to finding the best solution going forward.
To find out more about RWHS, visit www.rwhs.co.uk. Tickets for 2020 go on sale this October and can be purchased via the website.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.