A POPULAR international horse trial held every year in the New Forest has had to be cancelled because recent wet weather has left the ground waterlogged.

The Brockenhurst Park Horse Trials will not go ahead this weekend after the organisers called a halt to the event at the last minute over health and safety concerns.

The trials ended into tragedy last year after rider Sherelle Duke was killed when she was thrown from her horse only for the animal to land on her.

Ms Duke, 28, a close friend of the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips, died after trying to jump over the ninth jump on the country course.

Earlier this month organiser of the show, which was attended by riders from nine nations last year, announced they had decided to remove the jump after last year's fatal accident.

Yesterday, however, those in charge of the event also admitted they had now decided to cancel the whole show because of safety fears, particularly concerns that ambulances would not be able to get onto the ground because conditions were too wet.

A spokesman said: "I am very sorry to inform you that Brockenhurst Park Horse Trials has been forced to cancel due to waterlogged ground.

"This is one of many events that have been affected this season due to unprecedented climate change. It is devastating for the new organisers and for the competitors who were planning to ride at the event as their final preparation before the European Championships and Burghley International three-day-event."

One such competitor, Jo May, who is long-listed for the British team, said: "It's a real nightmare. I only have one horse and really need the run as much as he does. I don't know where we'll go now because even the events abroad have been oversubscribed."

Organiser, Jeff Carpenter, said: "I'm really sorry. It's such a shame but we have to keep health and safety as our priority."