The 5-star CSI Greenwich Grand Prix was called off Saturday in the face of torrential rain that led to wet conditions at the Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut.
The fixture began in 2021 as one day of 2- and 3-star show jumping competition.
“Our vision is to host a European-style show focused on international sport,” said rider/entrepreneur Kent Farrington, explaining at that time why he came up with the idea for the show. He was its honorary president this year.
For 2023, Greenwich developed into a four-day feature that also included a leg of Major League Show Jumping team competition. The $650,000 5-star grand prix, scheduled for Sunday, was to be the highlight of a show that attracted such big names as McLain Ward, Nayal Nassar and Margie Goldstein-Engle.
Saturday’s competition was called off because of the soggy conditions on the grass field and elsewhere on the grounds, but organizers assured ticket holders that the Sunday grand prix would be held.
Howeer, on Saturday morning, the Brant family, Major League Show Jumping and FEI officials discussed the situation with organizers and made “the difficult decision to cancel the event due to unprecedented and ongoing rainfall in the region. We have arranged to immediately refund all ticket purchases.
“The Greenwich area has experienced eight inches of rain accumulation, leading to flooding in the week leading up to CSI Greenwich. With the additional rainfall yesterday and the further expected rain and flood watch presently in effect, the conditions on the ground will not be up to our standards to host a high-level international competition with the safety and of horses and riders being at the forefront.”
But things could be different next year.
“Going forward,” said a statement from the show, “the team at CSI Greenwich, the Brant family, and Major League Show Jumping are committed to having a world-class venue and event here in Greenwich and will be investing in new infrastructure for (the) venue, including adding upgraded stabling and an all-weather sand arena.”
That all-weather arena is important for an outdoor show, since there is no time of year when the weather can’t be a factor.
The day wasn’t a total loss for Polo Club founder Peter Brant, however. He may not have grand prix luck, but he had racing luck. His Gina Romantica beat In Italian at Keeneland to win the Grade I First Lady Stakes.