The show organisation of the 2022 CDI Bolesworth on 24 - 26 June has announced that the event as well as its Elite Dressage Auction due to take place on Saturday 25 June have been cancelled.
Bolesworth was marked by several British riders as their last team observation/selection trial for the World Championships in Herning.
Ticket Sales and Hospitality
"Our plan for this year was to replicate our successful show jumping shows for dressage, but sadly, with the rising costs of staging world class events, current circumstances have resulted in reduced numbers that affect the commercial viability of the show and, consequently, we have little choice but to cancel," the OC stated.
"While we did have plenty of interest and support from dressage riders who were keen to compete at Bolesworth, at both national and international level, our model for equestrian events is heavily reliant on public ticket sales and hospitality, not just entries, and the challenges of the current economic climate have inevitably affected both of these areas.
Condensed Version
Bolesworth is working closely with British Dressage and British Equestrian to see if there is a way of incorporating a condensed version of the CDI 3* Big Tour classes during the show jumping leg of the Bolesworth International Horse Show (29 June - 3 July) in order to retain this valuable opportunity for international riders.
"We are in consultation with the FEI and will be contacting those riders affected directly in due course," said the OC.
Jason Brautigam, British Dressage CEO, comments: “In partnership with Bolesworth, we will work with the BEF and FEI to determine whether we can reschedule the Big Tour classes, as we know these CDI opportunities are vitally important for our international riders competing for selection and thank Nina and her team for their support.”
Show Jumping and Young Horse Championships Will Take Place
Nina Barbour, managing director at Bolesworth said: “We apologise for those of you who have the Bolesworth Dressage event in your calendar and were looking forward to attending, especially those riders entered, who we know make plans well in advance, and really do understand the disappointment that this decision will cause. The Dodson & Horrell Bolesworth International Horse Show (29 June - 3 July), and the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships (10 - 14 August), are firmly fixed on the calendar. We look forward to welcoming riders, visitors, our sponsors, trade stands and supporters to both events.”
Jason Brautigam added: “We are of course incredibly disappointed that Bolesworth has had to take the unenviable decision to cancel this year’s International Dressage event, but completely understand that we are all operating in a difficult economic environment. These commercial challenges are currently being faced by event organisers across the sport, leisure and entertainment sector, so it’s certainly not specific to dressage, but unfortunately, we are not immune to those wider market forces beyond our control.
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