 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Press Releases
21st November 2008
CANCELLED – BALLYGRAFFAN INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS 2009
Ballygraffan International Horse Trials has been cancelled for 2009. It is with great regret that the Burgess’, hosts of the event, have to announce that the competition will not take place in 2009, due to insufficient financial support and unfortunate damage to the land.
“We have tried everything we can to close the significant shortfall
in funding for the event, but are unable to do so within the current timescale.
Also, with the unexpected damage which has occurred to the fields, we
are left with no choice but to cancel the event for 2009. We will not
run an event below the standard of previous years”
June Burgess, Event Host
In these times of considerable financial constraint, it has been necessary to re-evaluate the investment in this non-profit making event, and even with the substantial support of Ards Borough Council, who came on board for the 2008 event as a premium sponsor; the short fall on staging this high quality International event is still too significant to carry.
In addition, unapproved work, recently undertaken on the fields at Ballygraffan has left them unfit for the event within the timescale for preparation. This has seriously quashed the considerable efforts to overcome the financial issues, and left the hosts with no choice but to cancel for 2009.
“We want to thank all our sponsors, market village traders,
visitors, the Organising Committee, and of course the participants, for
the fantastic support they have given to the event as it has moved from
strength to strength over the last five years. But this is not the end
of Ballygraffan; we hope it will be possible to reform for 2010, if we
can deal with the outstanding issues”
Jim Burgess, Event President & Host
This is certainly not the end of Ballygraffan International Horse Trials,
event hosts Jim & June Burgess are committed to doing everything possible
to bring the event back in 2010. To stay updated with news on the event,
please check out the website: www.ballygraffan.com
 |
 |
 |