Lack of Equestrian Sponsorship Causing Cancellations
As more and more Equestrian Events are cancelled it seems the economic situation is becoming a little grim for Equestrian Sponsorship.
It's not just local shows but well established annual events are cancelling due to a lack of sponsorship; because of the the inclement weather or due to a lack of funds because of the cancellation of the previous years event.
It would seem that equestroian event organisers may have to start thinking about what horse riders can afford in the current economic climate.
- Auchinleck in Ayrshire, has cancelled three years running.
- Gleneagles horse trials on 20 September has been cancelled as organisers didn't feel able to approach sponsors in the current financial climate.
- The 30th Spring Hill Horse Trials and Country Fair, billed as the United Kingdom’s biggest one-day eventing show, has been cancelled as it could only raise £3000 of the £12000 running cost.
- Salperton (27-28 June) was cancelled due to a lack of sponsors.
- Hutton International (22-23 August) was also cancelled because of a lack of sponsorship.
And it's not just in the UK, top events in the USA are also suffering because of a lack of sponsorship.
- The seventh annual Beacon Hill Grand Prix was cancelled just weeks before its June opening date.
- The New Jersey, Garden State, Combined Driving Event was cancelled with both sponsorship donations and entries down.
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is the governing body for equestrian sports, and USEF sanctioned events are penalized if they cancel within three months of an event. However, USEF Competitions Director Leigh Anne Claywell says that due to this year’s extraordinary economic climate the USEF has waived penalties for some cancelled events.
So, it seems horse owners and riders are being more selective when choosing what events they’re going to, instead of competing in all the equestrian events they can.
It just may help organisers if they take a serious look at class entry costs if they wish to attract entrants.
No riders means no spectators and no spectators means no income for trade stands or food outlets.
No Comments » | August 22nd, 2009

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