Liverpool International Horse Show 2021-22 cancelled

Mini major at Liverpool International Horse Show — (L to R) Michael Pender & Saroise O'Neil (2nd), William Fletcher & Alfie Diper winners, and Anthony Condon & Eve McCoy (3rd) at the prize giving of the Mini Major Pairs jumping competition sponsored by Glenbrook Property at TheraPlateUK Liverpool International Horse Show held at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in the UK, between the 28-31 December 2019

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The organisers of the Voltaire Design Liverpool International Horse Show say they are “devastated” to have to cancel the 2021-22 event, but that it is the “only responsible thing to do”.

The event was due to run at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool from New Year’s Eve to 3 January. But organisers have announced, with “huge regret”, that they have made the “very difficult decision” to cancel.

“With the ever-changing Covid-19 environment and with the recent announcements made by the Government and the Liverpool Health Protection Board, which oversees the city’s response to the pandemic, as event organisers the risk associated with responsibly staging an indoor event of this kind after Christmas, with respect to members of the public, and the knock-on implication of this risk to our loyal partners, suppliers, retailers, riders and their guests, is just too high at this time,” a statement released last night (25 October) read.

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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.

‘The risk is just too high’: Liverpool International Horse Show cancelled

Show founder Nina Barbour said the team was “naturally devastated”.

“We can only hope that our loyal supporters understand our genuine reasons for being forced to cancel this year’s event,” she said.

“The reality of the situation is that we have to measure the risks of moving forward with an indoor event in early January, with the facts and concerns that we currently face whilst having to carefully negotiate the ongoing uncertainty relating to this pandemic.

All Liverpool International Horse Show ticket buyers will be contacted, and all will be eligible for full refunds.

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