2020 A YEAR IN REVIEW
Photo ’ s first back-to-back win of the Cheltenham Gold Cup since 2003 , and Willie Mullin ’ s unwavering success as a trainer .
With lockdown measures enforced only 10 days later , the true impact of 2020 was soon to be realised . Major equestrian bodies , such as British Eventing ( BE ), British Show jumping ( BS ) and British Dressage ( BD ) hurried to identify the correct course of action , which ultimately resulted
Bolesworth ' s Fundraising
efforts trotted up a whopping £ 250,000 for NHS Charities Together ! in the cessation of all training and competition activity . It was BE who immediately cancelled all events , as the majority were classified as ‘ mass gatherings ’, including the prolific Badminton Horse Trials . BS and BD were able to hold a question mark over their most beloved events due to attracting smaller crowds . However , on the horizon was yet more guidance resulting in the need for further cancellations .
Other major equestrian calendar cancellations announced in March included the Grand National . With talks of the famous steeplechase being staged behind closed doors , the increasing dangers of the virus meant that organisers deemed it ‘ no longer appropriate to stage the event ’. The last time the Grand National was cancelled was in 1945 , during the final months of World War II as Aintree Racecourse was still commandeered by the Army . The final blow in March was the announcement that the Tokyo Olympics 2020 would be rescheduled for August , 2021 . The decision only echoed the fact that the UK , alongside the rest of the World , was truly entering an unprecedented period .
APRIL
One month into lockdown and even more equestrian event cancellations were announced . Following government advice , Hickstead were forced to cancel both their international events of 2020 ; the Al ’ Shira ’ aa Hickstead Derby Meeting , set to take place in June , and the Longines FEI Nations Cup in July .
However , good news was on the horizon . Harnessing the determined spirit of equestrians , major event organisers at Bolesworth launched their Equestrian Relief fundraising initiative .
The initiative raised urgent funds to support the struggling NHS service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic . A series was developed pitting top-riders against each other for fun , as donations were encouraged to help raise vital NHS funds . Olympic gold medallists , Carl Hester and Scott Brash joined in the action , along with Ben Hobday and William Fox-Pitt . A charity auction was also launched which was full to the brim with ‘ money can ’ t buy ’ prizes . Fundraising efforts from the Bolesworth team trotted up a whopping £ 250,000 for NHS Charities Together .
Along with the Bolesworth charity campaign came the SEIB Virtual Awards who named two equestrian charities as their winners for 2020 , awarding each
Equestrian Relief was launched by Boleswroth in April to support the NHS Heroes
Image Bransby Horses receiving SEIB Funds : L to R Jess Hester pony Miya Stef Leversedge
£ 15,000 to help continue their brilliant work . Working through challenging times , Redwings Horse Sanctuary and Bransby Horses both received the muchneeded pot of money to continue their work .
MAY
May , and the good deeds kept-on coming as equestrians continued to step up the pace as the Saddle Up 4 The NHS with Voltaire Design was launched to raise yet more vital funds . Meanwhile , NHS frontline nurse , Beatrice Vaughan , made the brave move to launch her brand-new business venture , Equestrian Giveaways , four months ahead of schedule . The new equestrian prizedraw website was launched by donating 100 % of its profits to the NHS Charities Together initiative .
Outdoor sport facilities re-opened in England during May as some equestrian activities were allowed to resume . However , the new ‘ norm ’ was soon made apparent with equestrian centres subject to strict social distancing measures .
With competition remaining off limits , the Royal Windsor Horse Show ( 13-17 May 2020 ) instead made its debut online . With record entries , organisers took to the realms of the worldwide web to host an event that would be one to remember . Entries from across the globe flooded in to stand before a panel of expert judges , all from the comfort of their own home . An onlineshopping village first was welcomed , with more than 190 brands displaying their products and services . With the astounding success of their inaugural virtual event , Royal Windsor went
12 • EVERYTHING HORSE : DECEMBER 2020