Well there’s been an awful lot of water under the proverbial bridge since I write the 2020 season preview back in February 2020 - the obvious lingering black cloud that is COVID-19 which has bought much change and uncertainty...
But it hasn’t all been bad. Yes there’s been cancellations aplenty but there’s also been triumphs - events put on at short notice, organisers moving heaven and earth to keep the show on the road and the two big major events managing to get approval for postponement in the Tokyo Olympics and a monumental Phoenix-from-the-flames salvation of the Europeans.
Ones to Watch in 2021 - Yasmin Ingham & Banzai du Loir, winners of the Fairfax CIC4*S 8&9 Yr Old class 2020
Whilst some packed their steeds off for a long holiday, others knuckled down and made the most of the shortened season.
Whilst we only managed one five-star in the whole world last year, it was worth the wait - Laura Collett & London 52 delivering a pillar to post victory amidst the backdrop of the Pyrenees. Click here to read the Pau Review
Five star winners: Laura Collett & London 52 victorious in the world only 5* in 2020, Les 5 Etoiles de Pau, October 2020
But enough reminiscing, time to look forward - it’s been a wobbly start, with several versions of my Eventing calendar already in the recycling bin and several boxes of tissues used up on catching the tears when first Badminton was lost then Bramham, Chatsworth and Rockingham.
Behind the scenes much activity has taken place to get the Elite Pathway athletes up and running and now that Boris has rubber-stamped the go ahead on 29th March, the season can begin again, albeit behind closed doors for a while longer.
There has been a monumental effort happening over at BE headquarters to get the show back on the road - credit where it’s due; increased communication, lots of emails and a swift process for offering up the chance for others to host classes lost through cancelled events.
Thanks to Organisers such as Alec & Team Musketeer and Helen West & Team Bicton, replacement fixtures are being confirmed and there’s hope that we’ll get a near full season in the diary.
Fingers crossed that somehow they manage to host Tokyo, I really feel for all those that have put so much hard work into making the event happen - and we have such a strong hand, it would be such a shame if they didn’t get their chance to go for gold.
Great news last week from the FEI that the European Championships will go ahead after all this year, with Avenches stepping in to host the Championships in September.
On the podium, medal winners, FEI European Championships, Luhmuhlen, September 2019
There’s 160 entries already in the CIC4*S class at Burnham Market International in a couple of weeks to get the mouth watering and some very exciting British entries at Kentucky to look forward too. And hopefully with lockdown restrictions slowly being lifted once safe to do so, here’s to hopefully welcoming spectators back to Eventing by the Summer.
Oliver Townend & Cillnabradden Evo; winners of the CIC4*S class at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials 2020, will Oliver retain the title in 2021?
So, although it’s a later start than we’re all used to, we’re all standing in the start box and the countdown is on - good luck to all competitors, owners, grooms, officials, volunteers and ‘togs.
There’s lots to look forward to and some very exciting combinations to keep an eye on (check out the Ones to Watch Blog here)
Eyes up, heels down and kick on!
Here’s to a safe, continuous and successful season to you all and hope to see you all out on course soon.
Now to charge up the camera batteries and remember what all the buttons do....