Another event cancels due to wet weather

Tweseldown’s first British Eventing fixture of the year has become the latest casualty of the weather, with the 6-9 March event being cancelled.

Organiser Brynley Powell said: “After regularly monitoring of conditions at Tweseldown over the past few weeks and further to an inspection this morning, the previous spell of intense wet weather has led us to abandon the event due to take place on the 6-9 March.

“Current ground conditions and weather forecasts leave us insufficient time to repair the ground and prepare the event to the standard required.”

Half the 6 events planned for the first 2 weeks of the affiliated eventing season have now been lost, with Tweseldown added to the cancellation of Moreton and Somerford Park. Isleham, Oasby and Aston-le-Walls are currently still running, with Isleham giving a positive update on the ground conditions today.

Tweseldown is renowned for its sandy going and being able to run in all conditions, but last year opinion was divided over whether the event should have been cancelled after it continued on very wet ground.

The loss of this fixture will hit lots riders as it normally runs 4 full days of competition from BE90 to open intermediate level. Many Badminton-bound horses often have their first run of the year here and competitors will now be forced to re-think their plans.

BE has also announced that Stafford Horse Trials (21-23 March) is now looking to reschedule because of the poor weather and will not be opening its entries.

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.