British Eventing (BE) has announced that the 2012 Chatsworth International Horse Trials has been cancelled due to waterlogged ground conditions after the recent heavy rainfall. Chatsworth is one of 12 events to be cancelled by BE since April 28, due to extraordinary weather conditions.

Disappointment

The event was set to run Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 May but added an extra day of World Cup dressage to the schedule on Friday 11 to take potential Olympic Eventing horses, rerouted after the cancellation of Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials just one week previously.

Talking about what this means for the British team preparations, Performance Director Will Connell commented: “The combination of the cancellation of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and Chatsworth International Horse Trials is a disappointment and not what we would have wanted.

"However, we will now sit down with the selectors, riders and coaches and make a plan – we will not rush in to announcing this plan as we must also take a view on what the weather has in store and what options we have."

Not time to panic

Mr Connell also stressed: “In 2001 foot and mouth played havoc with the spring programme but we still prepared for, and delivered, at the European Championships. It is not the time to panic or predict doom and gloom.”

Windsor reduces programme

The Royal Windsor Horse Show, another major equestrian event being held this week, has been able to continue despite the inclement weather, though the decision was made to cancel some of the classes on Friday 11 May to 'keep the horsebox park running'. 

The classes affected are the coaching marathon, working show horses, all cobs classes, all hack classes and the ladies side-saddle class.