There might be no dressage competitors at Hickstead subsequent 12 months, because the occasion can’t be made financially viable.
The All England Dressage Competition on the West Sussex showground ran as a three-day Premier League present in 2021, after the cancellation of the Dressage at Hickstead collection, and grew to a six-day CDI3* and CPEDI fixture by this 12 months.
However the determination has been made to not run the competitors in 2025.
“Regrettably, we’ve made the troublesome determination to finish our operating of our dressage fixture, however we want to thank all our sponsors, particularly ICE Horseboxes, in addition to organiser David Crockford, and all of the riders and house owners who supported the fixture over the previous 4 years,” stated Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn.
“The timing of the occasion in Could made issues difficult as a result of climate, however the primary purpose is that we can not make it economically viable. The prices – significantly of judges and officers – at over £50,000 are exorbitant and, regardless of our greatest efforts, the occasion nonetheless ran at a loss.”
A spokesperson for the All England Leaping Course at Hickstead stated the venue has lately invested in a brand new £1.5m stabling advanced together with onerous standing for 40 horseboxes, permitting use of the showground all 12 months spherical together with for hires, clinics and camps.
“It’s important that any extra occasions are financially sound,” added Lizzie. “This 12 months we added the British Younger Horse Leaping Championships to our fixture checklist in August. This was an enormous success, and we’re trying ahead to growing this occasion even additional for subsequent 12 months.”
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H&H information editor
Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Enthusiastic about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all points of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, wherein she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by to worldwide championships.