UPDATED: OSBORNE HORSE TRIALS CANCELLED FOR 2019

The annual Osborne Horse Trials, organised by Bede Events, has been cancelled for 2019, it has been announced this evening (Sunday).

In what appears to be a ‘leaked’ statement shared to social media, it has been revealed that due to the lack of entries for the competition the organisers have come to the hard decision to call off the event.

Bede Events have said how they are devastated in making the decision to cancel the Horse Trials at Osborne House, which was due to take place between 23rd – 24th July 2019.

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A spokesperson for the event has said in the early-release statement:

“We do not feel that we can continue with the event if we do not have enough competitors to provide good sport for the two days.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and we are so upset after the support from English Heritage and the island community.”

Stuart Buntine, Director of the event, is quoted as saying:

“We are absolutely devastated to have to take this decision. Together with English Heritage, we have been working hard to ensure that this year’s event was as exciting as ever.

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“The island community has embraced the event and we are very sad that we are not able to bring the sport back to Osborne this year. Unfortunately, it is not possible to continue if we do not have a field of competitors.

“We apologise for the lateness of this, and we are grateful for your support of the event.

“We would love to bring the horse trials back to the Island, but we obviously need to assess how we do this to ensure we provide top class sport.”

Members of the public trying to buy tickets from the Bede Events website have been having problems and leaving comments on their social media page asking why they cannot buy any tickets.

UPDATE MONDAY – A spokesperson for English Heritage’s Osborne House has said:

“We can confirm that this year’s Osborne Horse Trials has been cancelled by organiser Bede Events due to lack of entries from competitors.

“We are sorry to disappoint visitors who were planning to come to Osborne for the event, it was exciting for the island to have top level equestrian sport here.

“Ticket holders should contact Bede Events to arrange for a full refund.”

UPDATE MONDAY – Bede Events have now officially confirmed that the event has been cancelled, although they hope to return in 2020.

Anyone who has booked tickets to the event will be refunded within the next couple of weeks, according to organisers. For further information on refunds, contact the box office on [email protected].