Donna Elena and Maree Tomkinson.

© Roger Fitzhardinge

Victorian Dressage Festival strives to go ahead this December

By Equestrian Life

The 2020 Victorian Dressage Festival is planning to go ahead this December 10-15, and will make a return to Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre (WPNEC).

“Dressage Victoria’s premier event has been taken on by top equestrian and event management professionals who will deliver this all-important Championship in a new six-day format that complies with COVID safe practices,' announced event organisers via social media.

“The team at WPNEC is currently installing new Martin Collins Australia arenas and is working closely with the DF Event Management Team to ensure all classes are held on world-class surfaces." Last year, the event took place at Boneo Park on the Mornington Peninsula.

“The event will be hit hard financially. With limited class numbers, no spectators, no trade village and additional costs surrounding hygiene and COVID-19 practices, this is unavoidable. Unfortunately, Serata Equine Photography, a name now synonymous with the Dressage Festival, has been forced to withdraw their financial support for this year's event, as they suffer from the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.”

"Planning an event during these challenging times is very difficult," says Event Director Lizzy Schirmer. "The Dressage Festival usually takes many months to prepare for and requires the assistance of a large team. With so much uncertainty, coordinating preparations has been a complex process. However, I know how much this event will mean to the riders and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to deliver the 2020 Dressage Festival. I am very grateful to have a strong, professional team who have come together to make sure the event happens and also thank Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre for their support. Our hearts go out to businesses like Serata Equine Photography who are suffering. We truly appreciate the previous financial support they have given the event and encourage everyone to support this business wherever possible."

Fingers crossed for an exciting end to the year in Victoria!

More information on the event can be found here.

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