The organisers of the RDA National Championships have made the difficult decision to suspend the final day of the competition (Sunday 17 July) after the Met Office issued a severe weather warning of extreme temperatures. Friday and Saturday’s competitions will go ahead as planned – although at the hottest forecast times some classes will be moved to covered arenas or rescheduled.

In a letter to competiing RDA groups, Championships Chair Anne Coney said “For those RDA groups and competitors due to compete on Sunday, this will obviously be a huge disappointment, but we feel it would be reckless to ignore the specific amber weather warning of extreme heat across Gloucestershire and expose both horses and people to unnecessary risk.”

“I appreciate that participants, their supporters, and horse owners need to make their own decisions about participation in consideration of their own circumstances and situation, but do hope to see as many entrants and supporters as wish to and can join us on Friday and Saturday. I am sorry that once again we are to have a disrupted Championships, but I hope you will understand our need to make this difficult decision for the good of our horses and people.”