The need for eventing to pull together to secure its future

From riders and owners to fans and organisers, everyone has to play their part for eventing to thrive

- LUCY ELDER

THE importance of the sport pulling together and why fans’ attendance is key in helping to support fixtures have been a talking point in eventing.

The cancellation of Gatcombe (news, 7 March) and the news that this will be the final year of international horse trials at Blair Castle (news, 28 March) sent shock waves through the eventing world.

H&H has also reported on challenges of running greenfield sites, with costs and insurance big factors in the loss of certain events (news, 15 February). Mark Phillips touched on the subject in his 21 March column, noting that “with insurance costs tripling, [Gatcombe] was unable to raise the revenue needed to make the event viable”.

The Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park (28–31 March), run by BEDE Events, was the opening international eventing fixture of the 2024 British season and was rewarded with strong fields and a record crowd (report, 4 April). It is the landmark, greenfield event that replaced Belton – its four-star sections incorporate the Grantham Cup and it serves as a milestone on the pathway to spring five-stars and championship selection.