Eventing comes together to discuss the sport's future

After the wet spring wreaked havoc, a meeting was called at Thoresby on the way forward

- LUCY ELDER

EVENTING came together to talk about the future in a meeting at Thoresby following many withdrawals among the top-level classes.

England's dampest March in 40 years according to the Met Office has sliced through the eventing calendar.

At the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park, organisers BEDE Events, headed by director and coursedesigner Stuart Buntine, made a mammoth effort to keep the show on the road. They moved arenas, scrapped most novice and intermediate classes and rejigged the timetable.

The idea was to prioritise the classes for those using Thoresby on their five-star pathway. Many withdrew, but for the ones who stayed, the courses rode well.

Mr Buntine told H&H on the Sunday he was not pointing fingers or blaming anyone for withdrawing, but called the meeting with owners on Saturday to discuss the future.

“I think it’s probably been the toughest week I’ve had organising events in 35 years – and tough because we’re working in unknown territory,” Mr Buntine told H&H, referencing the fact this is the third time Thoresby has run.