Festival of eventing at Gatcombe cancelled

[setterlover]

The Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing (2-4 August) has been cancelled this year as the current economic climate has made the event unviable.

“Following the adverse weather experienced at Gatcombe last year, which led to the abandonment of the event, and due to the ever-increasing costs associated with operating on a greenfield site, it has made the event unfeasible to run,” said a statement from the event. Event chairman Mark Phillips added that the rise in costs since Covid, particularly insurance, means “the numbers no longer add up”.

Sad to read this I hope the weather improves soon so as not to affect events this year .Badminton last year was a quagmire on the Sunday and Monday after it rained heavily all day Saturday.
The campsite was really difficult to get off on the Monday people were queuing up to get towed off some waiting hours .We were lucky our Landover defender did a great job of getting off under our own steam

 

[Rowreach]

The future of eventing will be in huge all weather arenas.

 

[setterlover]

The future of eventing will be in huge all weather arenas.

I think you are probably right unfortunately .I really love getting out to the big events. Sad I think the future of a lot of events not just equestrian hangs in the balance.
The Dorset steam fair was cancelled in 2023 another really good event

 

[Rowreach]

I think you are probably right unfortunately .I really love getting out to the big events. Sad I think the future of a lot of events not just equestrian hangs in the balance.
The Dorset steam fair was cancelled in 2023 another really good event

Our county show has just been cancelled permanently, citing running costs in particular insurance, and the vagaries of the weather.

 

[Needtoretire]

Our county show has just been cancelled permanently, citing running costs in particular insurance, and the vagaries of the weather.

Which show is that ?

 

[blitznbobs]

Umm and those of us entitled to free tickets for this year …

 

[Snowfilly]

Our county show has just been cancelled permanently, citing running costs in particular insurance, and the vagaries of the weather.

That is sad, county shows are the highlight of the year for a lot of people. Which one was it?

 

[Fransurrey]

The Dorset steam fair was cancelled in 2023 another really good event

That wasn't due to costs alone, although they didn't help. It's been cancelled permanently for other reasons and I don't blame them.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Our county show has just been cancelled permanently, citing running costs in particular insurance, and the vagaries of the weather.

Surrey county show was obviously cancelled in 2020 (it was May end bank holiday) and despite being a huge show, hasnt returned

 

[Abacus]

That wasn't due to costs alone, although they didn't help. It's been cancelled permanently for other reasons and I don't blame them.

Is it really cancelled permanently?

 

[setterlover]

Dorset steam fair
This is on their website

'unfortunately (despite our best endeavours), the current position is that the 2024 show will not be running. Nevertheless, the Event remains for sale and we remain hopeful that there may be a Great Dorset Steam Fair in 2025 '

I think as well as costs there was problems with disruptive behaviour in 2022 ( I may be wrong )
Looks like they are trying to sell the running of the event.
Such a pity it was a great event.

 

[Fransurrey]

Dorset steam fair
This is on their website

'unfortunately (despite our best endeavours), the current position is that the 2024 show will not be running. Nevertheless, the Event remains for sale and we remain hopeful that there may be a Great Dorset Steam Fair in 2025 '

I think as well as costs there was problems with disruptive behaviour in 2022 ( I may be wrong )
Looks like they are trying to sell the running of the event.
Such a pity it was a great event.

Disruptive behaviour, drug dealing and the straw that broke the camel's back - death threats. I doubt anyone will take it on, considering. It simply became too big to police and I doubt the landowners will allow it again, considering the police involvement. I know I wouldn't!

 

[MuddyMonster]

Surrey county show was obviously cancelled in 2020 (it was May end bank holiday) and despite being a huge show, hasnt returned

I loved the Surrey County show and am geniunely quite sad it never returned after covid

 

[Bobthecob15]

The Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing (2-4 August) has been cancelled this year as the current economic climate has made the event unviable.

“Following the adverse weather experienced at Gatcombe last year, which led to the abandonment of the event, and due to the ever-increasing costs associated with operating on a greenfield site, it has made the event unfeasible to run,” said a statement from the event. Event chairman Mark Phillips added that the rise in costs since Covid, particularly insurance, means “the numbers no longer add up”.

Sad to read this I hope the weather improves soon so as not to affect events this year .Badminton last year was a quagmire on the Sunday and Monday after it rained heavily all day Saturday.
The campsite was really difficult to get off on the Monday people were queuing up to get towed off some waiting hours .We were lucky our Landover defender did a great job of getting off under our own steam

It was absolutely horrendous wasn’t it?! We went Friday and Saturday…never see. Mud like it! We are going back just on Saturday this year but if it’s like it was last year not sure I’ll do it again…it just wasn’t any fun at all, even walking round the shops was impossible. Felt so sorry for the traders too as so much stock had gotten splashed with mud, awful

 

[setterlover]

It was absolutely horrendous wasn’t it?! We went Friday and Saturday…never see. Mud like it! We are going back just on Saturday this year but if it’s like it was last year not sure I’ll do it again…it just wasn’t any fun at all, even walking round the shops was impossible. Felt so sorry for the traders too as so much stock had gotten splashed with mud, awful

I felt sorry for the traders as well.
We really enjoyed the Thursday and Friday and managed to get around the shops fine as it was dry but Saturday was so wet we just stayed on the caravan with trips out to walk the dogs even Sunday cross country was ok but we stayed away from the shops area but Monday was horrendous mud everywhere just picked our way to the arena for the show jumping.
The campsite was a mud bath where vehicles had been towed on there were huge ruts full of mud and water just walking the dogs was a nightmare.
We got off the campsite under our own steam but had to high pressure hose the land rover and caravan when we got home.
They have apparently done a lot of improvements so let's hope it's better this year and the weather helps out by being dry.

 

[snowangel5]

I remember reading about this horse event coming to a close I remember a riding instructor telling me that one horse event she went to down south it was the royal horse event the event never happened again

 

[Jemima50]

The Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing (2-4 August) has been cancelled this year as the current economic climate has made the event unviable.

“Following the adverse weather experienced at Gatcombe last year, which led to the abandonment of the event, and due to the ever-increasing costs associated with operating on a greenfield site, it has made the event unfeasible to run,” said a statement from the event. Event chairman Mark Phillips added that the rise in costs since Covid, particularly insurance, means “the numbers no longer add up”.

Sad to read this I hope the weather improves soon so as not to affect events this year .Badminton last year was a quagmire on the Sunday and Monday after it rained heavily all day Saturday.
The campsite was really difficult to get off on the Monday people were queuing up to get towed off some waiting hours .We were lucky our Landover defender did a great job of getting off under our own steam

At least this will silence the critics that say that he's being bank rolled by the princess royal