ORGANISERS of this weekend's Skipton Horse Trials have been forced to cancel the event because of heavy rain.

The event, which was to have taken place on Saturday and Sunday at Funkirk Farm, off the A59 between Broughton and Skipton, was cancelled after organisers decided heavy rain over the last few days, with more to come, could have posed a safety risk to riders.

In a statement posted on the event's Facebook page, Joint organisers Robin Bower, Tim Bennett and Sarah Nield, said: "The site is waterlogged following heavy rain over the past week or so and with a forecast laden with rain for the remainder of the week , in the interest of safety of both horse and rider , it was felt that this was the only sensible decision in the circumstances . We are all very sorry at this outcome but feel it is in the best interests of everyone concerned that the decision is made now rather than at the last minute."

The horse trials include the three equestrian disciplines of showjumping, cross country and dressage, and are held twice a year, in June and in August.