Rain scuppers Chatsworth horse trials this weekend

The news follows the cancellation of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials last weekend, because of waterlogged ground.

Many of the would-be Olympic riders who were to have ridden at Badminton had re-routed to Chatsworth, and Chatsworth had rearranged its programme to accomodate as many extra riders as possible.

Well-known British riders who should have been competing this weekend include William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Zara Phillips, Pippa Funnell, Oliver Townend and Nicola Wilson.

Chatsworth had also been receiving requests for extra trade stand space from people unable to exhibit at Badminton, and over 100 stands were expected to be on site.

Attention for riders is now likely to focus on Bramham International Horse Trials which run in a month’s time.