First the Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai was supposed to take place at the same time of the Worldcup competition in Helsinki. Now the organisation of one of the major indoor competitions has decided to cancel their event.
"The Helsinki International Horse Show, and the Longines FEI World Cup Leg, moves to October 2021. The 36th edition of the biggest annual indoor sports event in Finland is hit by the Covid-19 crisis, and faces too many challenges with regard to the upcoming event in October 2020," reads a statement from the organisers.
“It’s with great regret that we are forced to announce our difficult decision to cancel this year's Horse Show,” says event director Tom Gordin in the statement. “Having all facts currently available, and estimations based on discussion with numerous experts on health issues, as well as sports people, we face a scenario which has too many extremely high risk consequences,” Gordin continues. “Late cancellation due to new restrictions, on travelling, border crossing and especially restrictions on visitor numbers allowed in same tight indoor venue, are only a part of the high-risk factors. Additionally sponsors and exhibitors withdrawing or decreasing input play a big role in the event budget. Less ticket sales, due to social distance challenges or lack of vaccine are essential risk factors too,” explains Gordin.
“We have discussed this delicate matter with both the Equestrian Federation of Finland and the FEI. Both organisations are in understanding of our painful decision. We are now focusing totally on 2021, with the new 3-year contract of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup TM starting. We are convinced that we are able to produce a high-class 36th Helsinki Horse Show on October 20-24, 2021,” ends Gordin in the statement.
"The Helsinki International Horse Show, and the Longines FEI World Cup Leg, moves to October 2021. The 36th edition of the biggest annual indoor sports event in Finland is hit by the Covid-19 crisis, and faces too many challenges with regard to the upcoming event in October 2020," reads a statement from the organisers.
“It’s with great regret that we are forced to announce our difficult decision to cancel this year's Horse Show,” says event director Tom Gordin in the statement. “Having all facts currently available, and estimations based on discussion with numerous experts on health issues, as well as sports people, we face a scenario which has too many extremely high risk consequences,” Gordin continues. “Late cancellation due to new restrictions, on travelling, border crossing and especially restrictions on visitor numbers allowed in same tight indoor venue, are only a part of the high-risk factors. Additionally sponsors and exhibitors withdrawing or decreasing input play a big role in the event budget. Less ticket sales, due to social distance challenges or lack of vaccine are essential risk factors too,” explains Gordin.
“We have discussed this delicate matter with both the Equestrian Federation of Finland and the FEI. Both organisations are in understanding of our painful decision. We are now focusing totally on 2021, with the new 3-year contract of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup TM starting. We are convinced that we are able to produce a high-class 36th Helsinki Horse Show on October 20-24, 2021,” ends Gordin in the statement.