The dates for the SemaLease Camphire International Horse Trials and Country Fair 2022 have been announced as it's confirmed this year's event is cancelled.
The popular event will run over the Bank Holiday weekend Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 July 2022.
Organisers say they are hugely disappointed to have to cancel this year but "the uncertainties due to the Covid-19 pandemic over the last few months have made it impossible to deliver this much-loved international event".
"We have, throughout the last six months, striven to find an event scenario which would allow our competitors, followers, exhibitors, contractors and sponsors and volunteers to enjoy this annual highlight in its scenic Co Waterford setting. However, this unique Event in Ireland’s Eventing calendar runs on working farmland in conjunction with our generous landowners. The lead time and planning required to prepare the ground to the high standard which the organisers demand of themselves involve significant investment of time and expenditure. Unfortunately, the restrictions that the Covid 19 pandemic have imposed over the last six months have made this impossible to achieve.
"We are desperately sad for the sport of Eventing; our riders, owners and sponsors, our traders and many suppliers who have been so affected by the large-scale cancellation of events over the last 12 months. Whilst this year we will not see this increasingly popular spectator friendly event at Camphire with its multitude of family friendly activities alongside world class international competition attracting as it does competitors from all around the globe, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the event’s future. We are particularly grateful to all our sponsors, particularly our title sponsor Sema Lease, who have been so understanding and supportive throughout this period.
Paul Brady, Director of the Sema Lease Camphire International Horse Trials & Country Fair, commented:
“After careful deliberation we have come to the extremely difficult decision to cancel this year’s Sema Lease Camphire International Horse Trials & Country Fair. I feel for everyone whose hopes have been quashed - for the equestrian community in Ireland and around the world, for our local communities in Cappoquinn and the wider Waterford area, as well as all our suppliers, supporters, retailers, volunteers and visitors who will not be able to enjoy this glorious event this year. We will be focusing all our efforts on delivering a spectacular event in 2022."
