Punchestown eventing postponed

The Equestrian Federation of Ireland have postponed May’s three-day event at Punchestown in response to the ongoing foot-and-mouth crisis.

The event was scheduled to take place between the 17th and 20th of May, fully 10 weeks away, but has fallen by the wayside amid fears that riders would be unable to prepare for the competition given the current situation.

The move also takes into account the possibility that the eventing may clash with a rescheduled Punchestown racing festival. This is still penciled in for the end of April but is subject to change.

A statement released today explained that the decision was "taken in light of the present foot-and-mouth restrictions, in Ireland, the UK, and abroad, bearing in mind that the Punchestown Racing Festival (the core business at Punchestown) may have to change its end of April date."

No alternative date has been set for the event but it is hoped it can be completed in 2001.