The stallion parade at Badminton Horse Trials has been cancelled as a bio security precaution in the wake of the recent EHV-1 outbreaks.
Last month the Beaufort Hunt stables — which will be used to house the four-star horses at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials — were emptied to allow thorough cleaning and disinfecting, after the equine herpes virus (EHV-1) was confirmed in the stables.
But now further precautionary steps have been taken by the event leading to the cancellation of the stallion parade, which was due to take place after the dressage on Saturday 4 May.
“The need is to guarantee that as far as possible there will be no close contact between the elite competition horses in the international three-day event and any other horses in Badminton Park,” said Badminton organisers. “Sadly this means that the normal stallion parade, organised by Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain, will now not take place.”
The stallions would have had to warm up for the ridden display and use the same collecting ring and surrounding facilities as the event horses.
Ten stallions were due to be paraded — five of which were Grade 1 eventers themselves: Opposition Heracles, Weston Justice, Up With The Lark and Catherton Liberator, as well as Primitive Faerie Tale, who still competes at top level.
Badminton added that it fully intends to run the stallion parade again in 2014.
All other activities will continue as normal.
For more information visit: www.badminton-horse.co.uk
