Late-night musings, lamenting another cancellation and a huge loss to our Eventing season.
It’s truly heartbreaking to see such a beloved event like Chatsworth International Horse Trials face repeated setbacks due to weather, particularly after the disruptions from COVID-19. The dedication of both organisers and participants is evident, and the potential loss of this event would leave a significant void in the equestrian community.
Considering the challenges of organising the British Eventing (BE) calendar, we know that there won’t be a simple solution but perhaps there may be the opportunity to move Chatsworth to a later date on the calender. There may be some scope for a “rejig” from next season, with the gap left by Blair over the August bank holiday weekend, we assume there are likely to be some scheduling changes. Running Chatsworth during summer months (but not clashing with their Country Fair) could mitigate the risks posed by early-season weather conditions and offer a prime slot for an event of such stature.
We understand that rescheduling is complex and involves multiple logistical considerations, qualification impacts, etc. We also understand that Chatsworth was not the only weather affected event this season, so the calender needs consideration in its entirety so all events have the best shot at running. We also know that we don’t have control over the weather, but with back to back washouts it’s fairly safe to say that mid-May is not the opportune time for Chatsworth to run.
We hope the importance of preserving the legacy and continuity of Chatsworth will be a significant factor in the decision-making process. We can only hope that all possible options to ensure that Chatsworth continues to be a highlight in the eventing calendar for years to come will be explored.