Blow as UK shows cancelled

COMING days after the cancellation of the prestigious London International Horse Show at Olympia, the organisers of Liverpool International Horse Show yesterday (Friday) also announced the cancellation of their 2020 flagship show.

Irish riders are always to the fore of the big wins at both Olympia and Liverpool held over Christmas and New Year and both shows are a firm favourite with many in the Christmas calendar.

“It is with great sadness and regret that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel Liverpool International Horse Show 2020. Over the past six months, we have worked with the M&S Bank Arena to model a series of scenarios that would allow us to deliver a viable model for the indoor show in the current challenging circumstances.

“With the health and safety, as well as the welfare of the equestrian community at the heart of our decision-making, we must act responsibly. As a result, given the commercial implications and current government guidance regarding social distancing and mass gatherings, it is clear an event of this scale poses far too great a risk to host in what has already been a challenging year’’ said Nina Barbour.

However, Liverpool International will return in 2021.