The company behind the poorly attended HorseWorldLive show has gone into receivership, following low ticket sales for the event.
Suppliers and top riders who gave masterclasses at the show at the ExCel arena in east London (16-18 November) are owed money.
Show director Karena Cooper had billed the show as a “Your Horse Live for the south-east”, with demonstrations and a shopping village.
But a fraction of the 30,000 spectators Ms Cooper predicted turned up and many tradestand holders failed to cover their costs.
Emile Faurie who, with Sharon Hunt and Geoff Luckett, gave a demonstration on the Sunday (18 November) said he was contacted by show organisers Equidae a few weeks ago.
“They simply sent an email saying they are unable to pay us because of a lack of money.”
Sharon Hunt said the email was “a nasty shock”.
She told H&H: “I’ve written it [the money] off in my head. This has never happened to me before; next time I’ll make sure that I get paid up front.”
William Fox-Pitt and Pippa and William Funnell are also thought to be owed money.
Tanya Larriga performed with her miniature horse long-reining team at HorseWorld Live.
She said: “In over 30 years of presenting worldwide, I have never had this happen.
“I have taken legal advice but I cannot afford to throw good money after bad.”
Equestrian suppliers to HorseWorldLive are also owed money.
Alan Beaumont of Andrews Bowen — which put down the surface — said: “We are owed money and it has also become apparent that, while we paid HorseWorldLive our sponsorship for the Andrews Bowen under-18 showjumping championship, the winners have not been given their prize money.”
H&H was unable to contact show director Karena Cooper.
But she emailed a former member of her staff — who is still owed money by Equidae — to say that the company had ceased trading and has appointed a receiver.
Ms Cooper said: “In the meantime, the company has no funds available to make payment to any creditor, apart from the recovery fees in the cost of liquidation.”
This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (20 December 2012)
