An update regarding the 2020 NCHA Futurity Show

The 2020 4Cyte Equine Futurity Show has been cancelled due to Coronavirus. The southern hemisphere’s largest and richest indoor sporting horse event was scheduled to take place at the Australian Equine and Livestocks Events Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth from the 26th October – November 8th.

 

Held over 12 days, the competition is one the biggest drawcards in the region, bringing an estimated $2.3 million to the local economy each year. Traditionally, the Futurity Show commences in May and concludes on the June long weekend, however this year the event was rescheduled due to Covid-19. With humble beginnings, the first Futurity was held in 1974 at Moonbi Showground, just north of Tamworth, with a total prize purse of $10,000 and 25 keen competitors. Today the event attracts more than 500 competitors, paying out over $700,000 in cash and prizes.

 

The NCHA Board made the decision to cancel this year’s Futurity after a meeting this week, and released the following statement on their Facebook page: 

 

“NCHA Board held a special meeting on Thursday August 6th to discuss whether the 2020 NCHA 4CYTE Futurity would be able to run in the current environment surrounding COVID-19.

Based on Government recommendations, border closures and the uncertainty of the next few months, it was decided that the 2020 NCHA Futurity show scheduled for October 26th – November 8th be cancelled.

The NCHA remains committed to crowning the 2020 NCHA aged division champions at the earliest achievable opportunity.

The NCHA has exhausted every avenue to provide its members, sponsors and the wider community an all-inclusive age event on the dates advertised; however, the health and safety of competitors, staff, volunteers and spectators’ alike remains of the upmost importance and has largely dictated our decision to cancel the scheduled event.

The NCHA and its board of directors would like to extend thanks to those who have supported the event for 2020, and look forward to working with them for an event in the future.

The NCHA office will advise of the process of entry cancelation and refunds as soon as possible.

We would like to assure all stakeholders that this decision was not taken lightly.

 

NCHA Board”