ENDURANCE CANCELS ALL RIDES AS A PRECAUTION IN FOOT AND MOUTH OUTBREAK

As a result of the confirmed outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease in Essex this week, the Board of the British Endurance Riding Association (BERA), the Council of the Endurance Horse & Pony Society of Great Britain (EHPS) and the Committee of the Scottish Endurance Riding Club (SERC) have worked together to ensure that ALL events under their control to be held this weekend (Saturday 24 February and Sunday 25 February 2001) have been cancelled. This applies to both events in their official ride schedules and to training & pleasure rides being run by the local groups and regions.

The suspected outbreak in Tyne and Wear has been confirmed this morning, as indeed has a further outbreak in Essex. There is another suspected outbreak in Aberdeenshire, yet to be confirmed. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to five (as stated on the MAFF Web site today). BERA, the EHPS and SERC will review the situation again on Monday 26 February 2001 after which a further statement will be made. Our advice is that we are correct in making decisions on further cancellations on a week by week basis, so at the moment events planned for Saturday 3 March and Sunday 4 March 2001 have NOT been affected.

If you have any further questions please contact the central offices of BERA, the EHPS or SERC and we will do our best to help you.

For further information about the sport of endurance riding contact: The British Endurance Riding Association, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warks CV8 2RP (01203-698863) or at www.british-endurance.org.uk