IT’S easy to take things for granted. It was easy to assume, and assumption is always dangerous, that the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe, initially set up by the Princess Royal and I, would continue for another 40 years, with the next generation in charge. That this is not so is beyond sad.
Gatcombe, in order to put on the Festival experience, was not driven financially by entry fees, but by sponsorship and ticket prices. It had good sponsorship, but Gatcombe is a small venue and therefore limited in the number of spectators and tradestands it could accommodate. With insurance costs tripling, the venue was unable to raise the revenue needed to make the event viable.
Every venue is different, but I don’t foresee Gatcombe being alone among greenfield sites struggling for revenue in the next year or two. I am truly concerned about how this will change the face of the calendar.
I know a number of events this year are running without abandonment insurance. British Eventing (BE) have set up their abandonment fund for entry fees to help members, but this does little to aid organisers exposed to significant overhead costs.
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Denne historien er fra March 21, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
