Aston-le-Walls horse trials has become the latest casualty of the start of the eventing season. The organisers have abandoned all this weekend’s competition (1-2 March) at the Northamptonshire venue due to “prolonged wet weather and heavy overnight rain”.
However, the event has already been rescheduled for the end of next week (7-8 March). The primary reason for the abandonment is a “waterlogged lorry park”, and therefore access to the event, rather than the cross-country course itself.
“The course is looking good,” said organiser Nigel Taylor. “It’s more of a concern that all the cars and lorries would have to be towed out of the lorry park, which would lead to lots of mud on the road — which is dangerous. But with a few dry days and a bit of wind, it should dry out quickly.”
All entries will automatically be transferred to the rescheduled date. Competitors who are unable to compete next Friday or Saturday should inform the entries secretary by 5pm on Tuesday 4 March, to be refunded their full entry less the abandonment insurance fee.
British Eventing chief executive Mike Etherington-Smith said: “We would like to thank Nigel and Ann Taylor and the team at Aston-le-Walls for their support and flexibility with regard to rescheduling their event and giving members the additional opportunity to compete following the recent spate of abandonments.”
