British Showjumping National Championships 2020 (3 – 11 August 2020) – Venue Change
Friday 10 July 2020
Following Grandstand Media Limited’s recent cancellation announcement of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on the 2nd July a second announcement shortly followed that the Stoneleigh Horse Show, which hosts the HOYS showing qualifiers and runs alongside the British Showjumping National Championships (BSNC), would also therefore be cancelled.
With the understandable cancellation of Stoneleigh Horse Show it goes without saying that the commercial viability of the BSNC, in the time that we find ourselves in, would be in a very different position to the one that it be normally with both shows sharing the existing infrastructure and set-up costs.
Having discussed it in depth with Grandstand Media, the decision was made to explore whether a permanent show venue, that could offer the same championship show experience enjoyed at Stoneleigh, would consider hosting the BSNC, the Just For Schools and Academy Show for this year. With this in mind British Showjumping are delighted to inform their members that Nina Barbour and her team at Bolesworth in Cheshire have offered to host all three Championship Shows across nine days of jumping between the 3 – 11 August.
The decision was made jointly from Grandstand Media and British Showjumping that it was the sensible one to make. Grandstand Media’s commitment to support and assist the smooth transition of the show is one that British Showjumping are extremely grateful for.
Iain Graham commented “We fully understand the cancelling of the Stoneleigh Show and the support we have had from Grandstand Media has been second-to-none. Their commitment to us as a sport and their offer of ongoing assistance so as to ensure the sports commercial viability as much as possible going forward during these unprecedented times is one that very much appreciate.
“With the number of competitors being reduced and the short window we have been given following UK Government advice in respect of being permitted to run, it would have put an inordinate strain on the financial bearing of the show. By moving it to a permanent venue where the infrastructure is already in place was most definitely the sensible decision and to have secured such a prestigious venue is something we trust our members will see positively.
“To have two of the largest show organisers in the country working together in this way to support our members clearly illustrates why the sport has been able to hit the ground running again in the way that it has. Our thanks and gratitude go to both Grandstand Media and Bolesworth for their ongoing support”.
Further details with regards to the show schedule and how to enter along with tradestand and sponsorship opportunities will be released on the British Showjumping website and on the designated Championships page which can be found here https://www.bolesworthyounghorse.com/national-championships/
