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‘Exceptionally wet ground conditions’ force cancellation of early British Eventing fixture

Pippa Roome Pippa Roome

    • Epworth Horse Trials, one of the first two events of the British Eventing (BE) season, has been cancelled owing to “exceptionally wet ground conditions”.

    Epworth (1) was due to run classes from GO BE80 to BE100plus on Saturday, 7 March. Poplar Park, the other fixture scheduled that weekend, is still due to run in Suffolk on both Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, with sections from BE90 to open intermediate level.

    The BE statement on Epworth Horse Trials’ cancellation described it as a “difficult decision” for the Lincolnshire event team.

    “Despite delaying the planned entries opening by a week to see if the situation would improve, ongoing and significant rainfall has left the ground too soft and unsafe to prepare to the standard required to run a competition in March. The organiser has confirmed that even with all available time and effort, it’s simply not possible to undertake the groundwork needed,” said the statement.

    “This decision wasn’t taken lightly and reflects very challenging weather conditions in the area. The unprecedented rainfall in November resulted in the final three months of 2025 being one of the wettest October to December periods on record for Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, with rainfall totalling 182% long term average.

    “Persistent unsettled weather and further rain have kept the ground exceptionally wet well into early 2026, making it unrealistic to safely prepare competition areas to the level needed for British Eventing fixtures.

    “The organisers still have two further scheduled events this season, but with a busy calendar of other commitments, it isn’t possible to reschedule Epworth (1). We know this will be disappointing, but member and equine welfare remains our top priority.”

    Entries are open for Poplar Park, as well as for Oasby (1) and Tweseldown (1) the following week.

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    Pippa Roome
    Pippa Roome

    H&H magazine editor and eventing editor
    Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
    Pippa Roome

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