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A top venue’s viability concerns, the European Dressage Championships, and other things the horse world is talking about

Horse & Hound’s daily debrief, brought to you every weekday
Becky Murray Becky Murray

    • Major dressage venue steps back

    Somerford Park Farm has announced it will no longer host British Dressage premier league and high profile competitions after its May fixtures ran at a “major loss”. The Cheshire venue, which also operates as an eventing training facility, was one of BD’s seven venues on the 2025 high profile and premier league calendar. Somerford organiser Millie Heffernan told H&H that the May entries were “the lowest they’ve ever been” and that it was no longer sustainable to run. “Given the financial situation of the whole country, people are more conscious of what they’re spending their money on. People who used to compete fortnightly are perhaps competing monthly,” she said. Somerford Park will continue to host the LeMieux National Dressage Championships, taking place this year from 11-14 September.

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    The European Dressage Championships

    Excitement is building for the European Dressage Championships, which get under way in Crozet, France, on Tuesday (26 August). This week’s H&H magazine, out yesterday (21 August), is our full preview edition, including medal predictions and form guide. H&H’s dressage editor Oscar Williams will be on the ground in France bringing you all the action as it unfolds, but in the meantime check out our comprehensive online guide on how many medals are given, how they are decided, and more of your Euro questions answered.

    Find out more

    History-making rider eyes competitive return

    Khadijah Mellah will make her competitive return to racing today (22 August) having secured her amateur licence. Khadijah was the first British Muslim woman to ride in – and win – a race in the UK when she triumphed in the Magnolia Cup charity race at Goodwood in 2019. She returns to the venue at which she made history to ride the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Uncle Dick in the Gay Kindersley Memorial Amateur Riders Handicap at 5.15pm. “Riding back at Goodwood feels so special – it’s where everything began for me. So much has happened in the last six years, but the thrill of race-riding has never left me,” said Khadijah.

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    Becky Murray
    Becky Murray

    H&H senior news writer
    Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
    Becky Murray

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