News

The status of the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve in the UK and recent government briefings indicate that a longer period of lockdown is looking increasingly likely.

The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is constantly changing and evolving with advice and help from the UK Government issued daily. Over the last 48 hours there have been a number of developments which we wanted to update stakeholders on.

Monday’s UK Government announcement to increase measures to combat the current coronavirus pandemic has effectively put the nation in lockdown until mid-April. As National Governing Bodies, British Dressage (BD) and British Showjumping (BS) continue to urge all members and stakeholders to adhere to this guidance and advice, particularly on social distancing, in order to help contain the spread of the virus and protect frontline staff in the emergency services.

The first British international of 2020 took place earlier this month at Keysoe CDI3*/CDIU25/CDIYJP in Bedfordshire (13 – 15 March 2020) before the unfortunate but necessary halt to the competition calendar due to the unprecedented situation around the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and British Dressage welcome the announcement by the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee that the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has decided that the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games will be postponed.

The British Equestrian Federation urges all members of the equestrian community to strictly adhere to the Government’s directive to stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary to travel. 

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) would like to thank the equestrian community for their current support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These are unprecedented times for society in general and we all need to play a part in helping to manage and restrict the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

All British Dressage members have been emailed this evening with an update on the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic detailing our status, plans and news of an FAQ document to help stakeholders through these uncertain times. 

The team at Bolesworth has been closely monitoring the status of the COVID-19 pandemic as events have unfolded Nationally and Internationally.  Following the Government public health guidance regarding social distancing, and the termination of non-essential travel, together with the statement that emergency services have been withdrawn from supporting mass gatherings, it is clear that events of this scale pose far too great a risk to continue for the foreseeable future.

Organisers of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which includes Royal Windsor Endurance and The Edwardian Pageant, have today announced the cancellation of the 2020 events following the Government’s announcements around COVID-19. Royal Windsor Horse Show was due to be held from 13–17 May, Royal Windsor Endurance on 15 May and The Edwardian Pageant on the evenings of 14-16 May.