Another major event in the UK has fallen victim to the unrelenting weather conditions there. Australians Sam Griffiths, Emma Dougall and Catherine Burrell were to compete there this weekend in the CIC-W. The official Press Release advises;
"We regret to announce that the 2012 Chatsworth International Horse Trials has been cancelled due to waterlogged ground conditions after the recent heavy rainfall. The event was set to run Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 May but added an extra day of World Cup dressage to the schedule on Friday 11 to take potential Olympic eventing horses, rerouted after the cancellation of Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials just one week previously.
BE Chief Executive, Mike Etherington-Smith, comments:”One thing no-one can control is the weather but we are exploring all avenues to see what can be done to provide additional competition opportunities for our members and this includes rescheduling the Grassroots Championships.
“Several organisers have offered to put on extra days which is much appreciated and we are looking at what else can be done but we have to be realistic given the prevailing conditions. Losing major competitions certainly provides challenges for everyone but we should spare a thought for all the organisers who have worked so hard to organise their events only to have the weather tear apart all their efforts.”
Talking about what this means for the British team preparations, Performance Director Will Connell commented: “The combination of the cancellation of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and Chatsworth International Horse Trials is a disappointment and not what we would have wanted. However, we will now sit down with the selectors, riders and coaches and make a plan – we will not rush in to announcing this plan as we must also take a view on what the weather has in store and what options we have.
“In 2001 Foot & Mouth played havoc with the spring programme but we still prepared for and delivered at the European Championships. It is not the time to panic or predict doom and gloom.”
