FOR EMBARGOED
RELEASE - 0001 hours Thursday, 17th March 2005 
WORLD’S
TOP TWO HORSE TRIALS
TO
EMBRACE NEW CROSS COUNTRY FORMAT FROM 2006
British
Eventing’s proposal for the world’s most famous Horse Trials, Badminton
and Burghley to adopt the modified Cross Country format from 2006 has been
agreed by both Events, after over a year of consultation and worldwide trials.
BE chairman Michael Tucker said: ‘Last year we wanted to take time to evaluate
the implications of the International changes of removing the Roads & Tracks
and Steeplechase phases, and after much debate the new format has emerged as the
preferred way forward for the sport at present. We feel that it is right to adopt
the Olympic, World and European template to give our riders the best chance of
medals in the future.’ He continued: ‘The production of
horses to the level of skill required to compete at Badminton and Burghley takes
years. Riders, trainers and organisers need time to plan ahead for what some see
as a radical development, which is why we have to make decisions now for next
year. It is for this reason that Badminton and Burghley made a deliberate decision
to retain the existing format in 2005 while the new arrangement settles down at
lower level Events.’ Director of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton
Horse Trials, Hugh Thomas added: ‘Our Trials were of course instigated as
an Olympic preparation, and the sport of Eventing, as the consummate test of all
round horsemanship, has been seen in many guises since it was introduced at the
Stockholm Olympics in 1912. The gradual fine tuning of the shape of the competition
requires evolution but not revolution. At Badminton from 2006 we will provide
the fair but ultimate challenge in our sport, and as ever a fine spectacle for
our visitors.’ Liz Inman, the incoming Director of The Land
Rover Burghley Horse Trials said: ‘These are the two greatest Events in the
world at the highest possible level. By embracing the formula now in place for
the International Championships, Burghley and Badminton will continue to be the
benchmark for Events throughout the sport. Through the many Championships we have
hosted, the site and organisation at Burghley has proved that it has the capacity
to accommodate different types of competition with ease. We are looking forward
to the challenge of presenting this new format in 2006 with positive and open
minds.’ For further information on either Event please see
their websites at www.badminton-horse.co.uk or www.burghley-horse.co.uk
- Ends - Note to Editors:- From the Athens
Olympic Games, the sport’s ruling body (FEI) dropped from International Championships
the Roads & Tracks and Steeplechase phases which used to precede the Cross
Country section of the competition. For further information please
contact:- Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (5th-8th May
2005) – Julian Seaman on 020 7385 0591 or email Julianseaman@gastein.fsnet.co.uk
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (1st-4th September 2005) – Candy
Burnyeat on 01753 847916 or email candyb.hpim@easynet.co.uk British
Eventing – Winnie Murphy on 024 7669 8855 or email winnie.murphy@britisheventing.com
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