Equestrian shows held at the weekend may turn out to be the last for quite some time, with cancellations now coming in thick and fast due to Coronavirus.

It’s hit the big as well as the small, with British Eventing and the Royal Highland Show among the first to declare. British Dressage and British Showjumping have cancelled events for the next four weeks, including The Pony of the Year Show.

At the time of writing there are many calls for the mighty Horse of the Year Show to be cancelled this year, since it’s not going to be possible to hold qualifiers beforehand.

British Riding Clubs has contacted all its members strongly recommending that all Riding Club activities should cease until June 30 to reduce pressure on the NHS.

Most clubs also say they won’t be able to offer training during this period as BRC insurance is unlikely to be valid.

Endurance GB has cancelled all rides until at least the end of May.

Local venues have also now cancelled events for the next few weeks.

So these will probably be the last results for the time being. At the Sparket Equestrian Show at Newton Rigg, thirteen year old William Howard pupil Georgina Mallinson won with both her ponies and then took the Championship with her own Hardendale Rosie who she bred and broke herself. The first In-Hand Championship of the day went to Jason Lancaster with Atkins Silver Storm with Catherine Mason and ex-racer Balty Boys in Reserve.

Louise Younger and Wellbrow Norman won the next Silverware with Bethany Cousins and Dalewin Uptown Girl in Reserve.

In the Ridden section, there was a section Championship for Michelle Cuerden with Del Boy, and the Reserve went to Sophie Barker with Paintball Racheal May.

In the Show Ponies section, the Champion title went to Molly Metcalfe with Waitwith Finola and the Reserve to Tess Lowe with Dykes Blueberry.

Organiser Ellen Jones says the SPARKLE Championship show will definitely go ahead this summer but the date is not yet known.

At the BSPS Area 2B at Myerscough, Sarah Gemmell and Geordans Oliver won the Novice 133cm WHP then took the Novice Section Championship. The pair then went on to win the Open Restricted 133cm Workers and Open Championship.

In the Mini Event at Greenlands, Kate Edgar won the Beginners, with Estelle Purdham taking both second and third places. In the Junior section, the 45/55 went to Olivia Doyle with Lucy Benson second. The 65/75 was won by Olivia Singleton with Heidi Batey second.

Maria Guesli won the Seniors class ahead of Emma Heron. Olivia Singleton and Heidi Batey won the Pairs class with Olivia Doyle and Emily Doyle second.

The upcoming period is going to be very tough on everyone, and our community will have its own particular problems and issues to cope with. But I will continue to report on equestrian news, and take the chance to feature local riders, producers, organisers and owners of horse-related businesses.

If you have any tips or story ideas, please email: gilly.fraser@gmail.com