Britain’s national eventing championships will run at Burgham International Horse Trials (28 July- 1 August), in a “real celebration of equestrian sport at all levels”.
Following the cancellation of the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe, and a tender process, the Northumberland venue will run the British Open, the intermediate, novice and novice restricted championships, alongside the established CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S international classes, and national classes.
Burgham event director Martyn Johnson said: “It’s very exciting for the north, which sometimes misses out on big sporting events, that the British Eventing [BE] fixtures panel has trusted us with running these historic and important championships.
“I am delighted for all the Burgham team that all our efforts to put on the best events we possibly can have been rewarded, and we have so many ideas as to how to make this year’s Burgham even more special.
“In a year when so many of our big horse trials have gone by the wayside, Burgham 2021 will be a real celebration of equestrian sport, from the top level to grassroots. We are very much hoping that the public will be able to come and enjoy it with us.”
BE chief executive Jude Matthews said the organisation is “delighted” Burgham is hosting the championships.
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Organisers said ‘the financial risk of committing to an occasion of such magnitude and infrastructure during a pandemic is too
“We received some very strong tenders for the classes and are thrilled to be able to offer all of the classes at the same venue, which was an important consideration for the competitors,” she said.
Riders were represented on the fixtures panel by Eventing Riders Association of Great Britain president Bruce Haskell.
He said: “Riders at all levels were adamant that the British championships should stay together.
“Burgham was a clear choice as a venue that could deliver the championship feel needed for these prestigious classes. We are confident that this popular venue will be able to put on a brilliant championship for 2021. The riders would like to thank Martyn Johnson for stepping up once again to support the sport.”
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
