The Festival of British Eventing, a key event in the British Eventing calendar and held at Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park, has been cancelled due to rising operational costs and the financial challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Festival of British Eventing, held at Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park and a cornerstone of the British Eventing calendar since the 1980s, has been cancelled after four decades. The decision to cancel the event, founded by Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, was made due to increasing operational costs and financial constraints exacerbated by adverse weather conditions and the economic aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Peter Phillips, the event director and son of Princess Anne, expressed his disappointment over the cancellation, underscoring the festival’s importance in fostering a strong community spirit among participants and supporters. Captain Mark Phillips, reflecting on the festival’s inception and evolution, lamented the end of this tradition but noted the changing financial realities facing such equestrian events.
The festival’s cancellation represents a significant moment for British Eventing, signalling the end of an era that has been pivotal in the sport’s history. Despite the disappointment, there remains a sense of hope for the future adaptations and opportunities in the sport, as conveyed by organizers and participants alike.
