With COVID-19 currently sweeping across the world, a number of Arabian horses events have been cancelled and are being cancelled on a daily basis. We will endeavour to list all here for you – please e-mail articles@thearabianmagazine.com if you wish your event to be included.
CONFIRMED CANCELLED AS AT 2 JULY 2020
The majority of ECAHO shows have been cancelled through to the end of July. Please check their website for the latest news.
HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW CANCELLED
It is with great regret, that we must announce the cancellation of Horse of the Year Show 2020 due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus pandemic. The 72nd edition of the event will now take place from Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 October 2021, at the NEC Birmingham.
At the forefront of our minds has been, and will remain to be, the health and safety of all of those who come together to make Horse of the Year Show happen – the visitors, competitors, staff, officials, volunteers, partners, trade exhibitors and contractors – as well as our wider responsibility to support the efforts to tackle this challenge to our everyday lives.
Members of the public who have purchased tickets for HOYS 2020 will be offered the option to retain their tickets for the same day and seat for the 2021 event or alternatively they can claim a refund. Over the next few weeks, we will be working with our ticketing agent, The Ticket Factory, to communicate directly with all ticket holders, in addition to contacting trade exhibitors and sponsors.
We are sure that cancelling this year’s Horse of the Year Show will be as great a disappointment for you, our loyal followers, as it is for us. It has been your passion for HOYS that has made our event what it is today, and it is undeniable that without the support of the equestrian community HOYS would not continue to happen.
We’d like to thank all our valued partners, customers and stakeholders for their continued support during these challenging times.
Our thoughts remain with all those that have been, and continue to be, affected by this pandemic.
Horse of the Year Show will return in 2021. We look forward to welcoming you back for what promises to be a fantastic showcase of equestrian competition and entertainment.
THE NATIONAL ARAB HORSE SOCIETY SHOW CANCELLED
The British National Championships, due to take place in July, have been cancelled. The Arab Horse Society shared:
“It is with regret that Council have agreed that our National Show due to be held at the David Broome Equestrian Centre in July is to be cancelled. We have made a reservation with them to hold the 2021 National Show but are still in discussion with them to ensure we get the best date available for us for 2021 as soon as this is finalised we will let you know, we appreciate the support from the centre in honouring our deposit payments which they have agreed to carry forward to next year.
“We hope that all our members are keeping safe in these exceptional times and that we can all look forward to meeting again in normal conditions at our events in 2021.”
ALL NATIONS’ CUP CANCELLED
VZAP announced on 14 May that they have made the decision to cancel the All Nations’ Cup, including the German Nationals, due to be held over the last weekend of September.
For the full statement, click here.
US EGYPTIAN EVENT CANCELLED
The Pyramid Society has cancelled their flagship show, The Egyptian Event, for 2020, saying:
“As all of you are aware, countless events have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and difficult decisions have been required by organizations worldwide. It is with heartfelt disappointment we are announcing that the 2020 Egyptian Event at VHC, Lexington, Virginia USA, 30 July – 2 August, has been cancelled. This decision has not been made lightly and is a result of lengthy discussions with our board members, trustees, and those in the medical community who are familiar with the devastation and uncertainty caused by the current global Covid-19 pandemic. The Society also remains sensitive to the far-reaching financial and personal challenges to our members. We know that many of you have faced the unimaginable scenarios of losing loved ones, illness among your families and friends, and uncertainty regarding the future. Proceeding in this challenging time could also prove to have a negative financial impact for the future of the Society. We feel it is far better to prepare for brighter days while remaining focused on our mission and vision for the future.”
To read the full statement, click here.
ALMOST ALL ECAHO SHOWS FOR APRIL & MAY CANCELLED OR POSTPONED
Please check the ECAHO website for full details. Shows cancelled include:
APRIL
H.H. Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa 4th International Show Sakhir B Int, Bahrain
Spring National Championship Show, Israel
Oman 8th National Arabian Horse Championship
The 11th Saudi National Championship 2020, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The First Jordanian National Breeding Show, Jordan
Kerman Cup, Iran
Egyptian National Championship
Milan Arabian Horse Ornago B Int, Italy
MAY
Tulip Cup De Peelbergen B Int, Netherlands
Palermo Arabian Horse Cup Pietra dei Fiori C Int, Italy
Czech National Championship & Prague Intercup B Int
Arabian Horse Weekend St. Oedenrode & Arabian Horse Weekend St. Oedenrode C Int, Netherlands
Festival du Cheval Arabe Alsace-Grand Est Rosiéres aux Salines C Int, France
UK
The Northern Arabian Championships
The North West Arabian Alliance Show
As a committee, we feel that it is the right decision to cancel our North West Arabian Alliance Show. This is not a decision we have taken lightly but in the context of all that is happening, we feel that it is the right decision.
At this moment, the show will now be held Sunday 23 May 2021.
We thank all our sponsors for their support, all prizes promised will be being carried over to the new date as rosettes, garlands and sashes have already been purchased.
If later in the year it looks possible to bring the show forward to a 2020 date then we as a committee will of course discuss this option and keep you all updated.
We thank everyone for their understanding in this difficult time.
Royal Bath & West Show
Devon County Show
The Royal Cornwall Show
The Royal Three Counties Show
Endurance GB
Following the Prime Minister’s statement today [16 March] warning against both unnecessary social contact and non-essential travel within the UK due to the Coronavirus crisis, the Board of Endurance GB has taken the decision to cancel all rides with immediate effect.
Following an emergency meeting tonight, the Board agreed unanimously that in the light of the Government advice and in the interests of ensuring the sport placed no additional burden on the NHS or put the health and safety of members, volunteers and officials at risk, all ride activity would cease until at least the end of May.
Endurance GB Chair Phil Nunnerley, said the situation would be under constant review in line with latest Government advice with the aim of resuming the season as soon as it is practical and safe to do so.
In the meantime, he said Endurance GB’s strong community would provide a bedrock of communication and mutual support: “This is a very sad situation but I know that during the enforced absence of the sport from the calendar, our members will pull together and our community will be an important focus for us all. I must underline again our thanks to all our organisers, officials, volunteers and staff for their support during these unprecedented times. We will continue to monitor the situation, will be in regular communication and will reopen sporting activity as soon as we are able.”
Kerry Dawson, Communications Director added that the Board would be looking at ways to boost communication and participation across Endurance GB’s social media channels in the coming weeks including webinars and online training activity so that members can share experiences and maintain interest and focus on the sport.
This is going to be a tough few weeks, and we all need to support each other and help each other to stay healthy. Please do check in on your endurance friends, particularly those who are self isolating or poorly.
#WeWillRideAgain
Norfolk & Suffolk Arabian Horse Group Annual Show
Dear all, as a committee we feel that it is the right decision to cancel our Norfolk and Suffolk Arabian Horse Group Annual Show. This is not a decision we have taken lightly but in the context of all that is happening, we feel that it is the right choice.
All being well, our next show will be on Sunday 16 May 2021, with Stephanie Zebedee and Ann Aldham already confirmed as judges.
We thank you all for your understanding, and please continue to support the group during these testing times.
The NS AHG Committee
www.nsahg.org
British Eventing
In light of the government announcement today, the Board of British Eventing has taken the very difficult decision to cancel all events with immediate effect.
The government advice has been to minimise social contact and non-essential travel, and the restrictions on the support of the emergency services means that the responsible decision is to take all action necessary not to further burden the NHS or risk members’ safety at events.
We thank all of our members, organisers, officials, volunteers and staff for their support during these unprecedented times. We will continue to monitor the situation and will resume sporting activity as soon as we are able.
For those events that have passed ballot date, members will have their entries refunded under the abandonment insurance and those pre-ballot will be refunded in full.
We will update you all as soon as we have any further information.
www.britisheventing.com
USA
Arabian Breeders’ World Cup, Las Vegas
The Board of Directors of the Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance has determined, in light of the current situation with regard to COVID-19, it is in the best interest of all our friends in the Arabian horse industry to cancel this year’s Las Vegas Arabian Breeders World Cup Show 2020. We have closely monitored the new developments regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) and with the World Health Organisation characterising COVID-19 a pandemic, we made the difficult decision to ensure the health and safety of our industry.
We look forward to our 2021 show, and are happy to invite back our selected judges who have committed for the 2020 Arabian Breeders World Cup Show. We are happy to have additional Auction and Legacy classes in 2021 and look forward to the additional excitement that the extra prize money will bring. In 2021 we will also have The IntArah Auction class will be back with a $50,000.00 first place pay out.
The Board of Directors of the Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance wish all of you good health in the coming months and look forward to seeing you 8-11 April 2021.
www.arabianbreedersworldcup.com
2020 Darley Awards
Due to the elevated developments associated with COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Arabian Racing Cup has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Darley Awards event in Houston scheduled for Saturday 21 March at the Bell Tower on 34th. The health and safety of our Arabian racing community is of the utmost importance to us.
In lieu of an in-person event (or the corresponding AJC LIVE broadcast), we are working on a special virtual event that enthusiasts can watch and enjoy as we announce the Darley Champions of 2019. Stay tuned for times and viewer information!
www.texasarabianbreeders.com
EGYPT
The Egyptian National Arabian Horse Championships are suspended until further notice.
Sad but necessary ?. Thanks for keeping us updated on cancellations. My hope is the show circuit will be back stronger than ever when this is over!!