Cancellation of the Senior Qualifier Show at Wales & West
Friday 21 August 2020
Earlier today, 21 August, the First Minister for Wales announced that the Welsh Government will not be lifting their COVID-19 lockdown measures for at least the next three weeks in respect of outdoor events.
During this three week period the Welsh Government will be conducting pilots of three small outdoor events, with no more than 100 people. If the pilots are successful, and provided the state of of Coronavirus allows, the Welsh Government’s intention is to extend the range of small-scale outdoor events in the next regulations round.
This means that all showjumping events, scheduled to take place in Wales during this period, will be cancelled from the competition calendar. This includes the Senior Qualifier Show that was due to take place at the Wales & West Showground between the 29 - 31 August.
British Showjumping will continue to work closely with all Welsh Show Organisers, the Welsh Sport Association and the Welsh Assembly with an objective of being in a position to introduce equestrian sport back into Wales at the earliest opportunity.
Iain Graham, Chief Executive for British Showjumping said “It goes without saying that we are all extremely disappointed at the news and it has come as a surprise when the rest of the country has been allowed to recommence sport with the correct protocols in place. We do however support and respect the Welsh Government’s decision and we trust that our members understand that these are unprecedented times and that we are doing all we can to give our Welsh members the opportunity to compete on home turf at the earliest opportunity.”
A key area of focus for both British Showjumping, and show director James Broome, will be on the rescheduling of the senior qualifiers before the end of the qualifying period should the next regulations round allow it.
Further information will be released as it becomes available. Our hopes are that we will be able to reschedule the show, should this not be possible additional qualifying places will be offered from the shows that have been able to run.
