WORLD’S TOP TWO HORSE TRIALS TO EMBRACE NEW CROSS COUNTRY FORMAT FROM 2006

British Eventing’s proposal for the world’s most famous Horse Trials, Badminton and Burghley to adopt the modified Cross Country format from 2006 has been agreed by both Events, after over a year of consultation and worldwide trials. BE chairman Michael Tucker said: ‘Last year we wanted to take time to evaluate the implications of the International changes of removing the Roads & Tracks and Steeplechase phases, and after much debate the new format has emerged as the preferred way forward for the sport at present. We feel that it is right to adopt the Olympic, World and European template to give our riders the best chance of medals in the future.’

He continued: ‘The production of horses to the level of skill required to compete at Badminton and Burghley takes years. Riders, trainers and organisers need time to plan ahead for what some see as a radical development, which is why we have to make decisions now for next year. It is for this reason that Badminton and Burghley made a deliberate decision to retain the existing format in 2005 while the new arrangement settles down at lower level Events.’

Director of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, Hugh Thomas added: ‘Our Trials were of course instigated as an Olympic preparation, and the sport of Eventing, as the consummate test of all round horsemanship, has been seen in many guises since it was introduced at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912. The gradual fine tuning of the shape of the competition requires evolution but not revolution. At Badminton from 2006 we will provide the fair but ultimate challenge in our sport, and as ever a fine spectacle for our visitors.’

Liz Inman, the incoming Director of The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials said: ‘These are the two greatest Events in the world at the highest possible level. By embracing the formula now in place for the International Championships, Burghley and Badminton will continue to be the benchmark for Events throughout the sport. Through the many Championships we have hosted, the site and organisation at Burghley has proved that it has the capacity to accommodate different types of competition with ease. We are looking forward to the challenge of presenting this new format in 2006 with positive and open minds.’

For further information on either Event please see their websites at www.badminton-horse.co.uk or www.burghley-horse.co.uk

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Note to Editors:-

From the Athens Olympic Games, the sport’s ruling body (FEI) dropped from International Championships the Roads & Tracks and Steeplechase phases which used to precede the Cross Country section of the competition.

For further information please contact:-

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (5th-8th May 2005) – Julian Seaman on 020 7385 0591 or email Julianseaman@gastein.fsnet.co.uk

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (1st-4th September 2005) – Candy Burnyeat on 01753 847916 or email candyb.hpim@easynet.co.uk

British Eventing – Winnie Murphy on 024 7669 8855 or email winnie.murphy@britisheventing.com