Equestrian Sport Cancelled As Part Of ‘Drastic' Coronavirus Measures

Eventing had been called off with immediate effect on Monday while other disciplines looked unlikely to go ahead

- Eleanor Jones

All eventing has been cancelled and the immediate future of other equestrian sport in Britain was uncertain as H&H went to press, as the population was urged to avoid non-essential travel and social contact.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced late on Monday (16 March) that “drastic action” was needed to lessen the impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus, as the UK approaches the “fast growth part of the upward curve” in the number of cases. By Monday, more than 1,500 people had been diagnosed in this country.

As H&H went to press on Monday evening, British Eventing said its board had made the “very difficult decision” to cancel all events with immediate effect.

“The government advice has been to minimise social contact and non-essential travel, and the restrictions on the support of the emergency services means the responsible decision is to take all action necessary not to further burden the NHS or risk members’ safety at events,” said a BE statement. “We thank all our members, organisers, officials, volunteers and staff for their support during these unprecedented times. We will continue to monitor the situation and will resume sporting activity as soon as we are able.”

British Dressage said on Monday evening it would “review the immediate impact on our events, competitions and activities as an urgent priority”, and work fast to update stakeholders as soon as possible.

The FEI emailed federations on 13 March to ask them not to run FEI events, while the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) and the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) had that day called for all federations to halt competitions until the end of April.

The FEI said the situation had “taken a rapid turn for the worse”.