H&C is sad to report the demise of the British Open Showjumping Championships. Grandstand Event Management has advised that they will not be running the show in 2011. The British Open was launched in 2003 at the Sheffield Hallam Arena and relocated in 2007 to a larger venue, The NEC, Birmingham, where over the last four years Grandstand has sought to establish the show as a major event within the Equestrian calendar.

Grandstand's Managing Director, Helena Pettit says: ‘We have invested very heavily in the British Open Show Jumping Championships over the last eight years and within this time we have not had one profitable year. We have therefore had to take a close look at the event and at this time we will use a break to consider options for the show. Although we have a loyal audience base; for the show to be successful in the long term, we need to attract a larger number of visitors and also to increase our sponsorship."

‘We already have the perfect venue at the NEC and have trialled several new inclusions over the last few years. However, we believe we do not have the format quite right and intend to look at the show's content with the possibility of re-launching the show again in the future with a new look, feel and revitalised schedule."

This comes on the back of the announcement the BBC will not be covering the famous DFS Derby at Hickstead for the foreseeable future. Sky will broadcast the Derby (25-27 June) and the Longines International Horse Show (29 July to 1 August) at Hickstead for the next four years.

A BBC spokesman said: "With the increasing scheduling needs of an expanded sport portfolio it was felt the BBC could no longer give the event the coverage it merits."

H&C blogger and Hickstead organiser Daisy Bunn admitted that she had initially been very disappointed, but went on to say: "We are delighted that Sky Sports will be broadcasting all the action live and in its entirety — not just the Sunday as in previous years on the BBC, but three full days of all the action as it happens, as well as behind-the-scenes features."