This year’s Voltaire Design Liverpool International Horse Show has been cancelled, its organisers announced this evening (25 October).
A statement said the “very difficult decision” is due to the coronavirus pandemic after the recent announcements made by the Government and the Liverpool Health Protection Board, which oversees the city’s response to the pandemic.
“It is with huge regret that we have had to make the very difficult decision to cancel,” said a statement.
“With the ever-changing Covid-19 environment and with the recent announcements made by the Government and the Liverpool Health Protection Board, which oversees the city’s response to the pandemic, as event organisers the risk associated with responsibly staging an indoor event of this kind after Christmas, with respect to members of the public, and the knock on implication of this risk to our loyal partners, suppliers, retailers, riders and their guests, is just too high at this time.”
The annual show takes place over New Year — this year’s dates were 31 December-3 January — at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
Its founder, Nina Barbour, said: “We are naturally devastated to be making this decision and can only hope that our loyal supporters understand our genuine reasons for being forced to cancel this year’s event.
“The reality of the situation is that we have to measure the risks of moving forward with an indoor event in early January, with the facts and concerns that we currently face whilst having to carefully negotiate the ongoing uncertainty relating to this pandemic.
“We feel that the only responsible thing to do is to make this decision now, continued Nina. “It goes without saying that we remain fully committed to supporting equestrian sport moving forwards and we will be throwing our energy into making all the exciting events that we have planned for 2022 truly the best experiences that we can for everyone involved.”
Those with tickets for this year’s show will be entitled to a full refund including ticketing fees (administration, facility, and fulfilment) and will be contacted by their ticket agent via email.
