Shows' challenges as British international event cancels

The dressage festival at Hickstead will not run in 2025 as it could not be made viable, highlighting issues shows face

- ELEANOR JONES

THE FEI said it “recognises the challenges” faced by organisers, after Hickstead was forced to cancel the All England Dressage Festival as it could not be made viable.

The event grew from a Premier League show in 2021 to a six-day CDI3* and CPEDI. But Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn said the numbers did not add up.

“The timing of the event in May made things challenging due to the weather, but the main reason is that we cannot make it economically viable,” she said, having thanked all those who had supported the event. “The costs – particularly of judges and officials – at over £50,000 are exorbitant and, despite our best efforts, the event still ran at a loss.”

Olympic rider Richard Davison, who was dressage technical consultant for the Bolesworth and Windsor CDI4* events, told H&H the cancellation “reflects what has been known for some time”.