Horse Trials, also known as eventing, is an equestrian sport involving horse and rider in a triathlon of 3 different challenges: Dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. The cross-country phase has always been and will remain the dominant and spectacular part of this sport. It is in the hunting field that many event riders and horses have learnt the fundamentals of safety, agility and sharp mindedness for this, the most influential phase of the sport.

It is one of very few sports in which men and women compete on an entirely equal footing.

Great Britain has an exceptional and consistent overall record of international success in European and World Championships and Olympic Games. At present it holds the current team and individual European Championship titles and is favourite for Olympic honours in Sydney later this year.

This country has pioneered the revival of Horse Trials since the war. It has developed into the world's most internationally sought after base for the sport, building up a remarkable network of 170 event venues throughout the country. Many foreign riders base themselves in this country each year to purchase horses, train and compete alongside the British.

Badminton and Burghley are the sport's two pinnacle events, both attracting large numbers of spectators. Badminton draws 200,000 people, an attendance figure surpassed only by The Indianapolis Grand Prix.

The sport has written into its charter to provide and aid the education of its participants. It actively encourages riders and horses to make greater use of hunting as the training ground to provide both with a stronger and safer base from which to develop their eventing skills.

There is no training-ground other than live-quarry hunting that can offer similar opportunities to develop the fundamentals of natural horsemanship. It is a unique cross-country schooling opportunity, which, by the very nature of the uncertainty of what lies ahead, develops the instinctive reactions in both horse and rider in a manner that no manufactured training is able.

Hunting develops courage, canniness, confidence and a love for jumping and crossing the country. It provides both with the opportunity to discover what they are capable of, when, in less exciting circumstances, few feel sufficiently inspired.

Hunting provides a sweetener for the more experienced horses and riders and an active and enjoyable retirement for both when past their peak.

Many farmers open up their land to hunting, which then, as a logical development, is frequently made available as event venues. Often the provision of cost-free labour accompanies the land, as over a third of the 170 events raise money for their local hunt. Horse Trials are reliant on benefits such as these for their viability.

Voluntary help to run events emanates principally from hunt devotees. A one day event needs between 50-100 volunteers and the 10 three-day-events, like Badminton and Burghley, require up to 350 each. The sport could not survive without these volunteers.

Many young riders have their interest for Horse Trials fired in the hunting field, through the thrill and enjoyment of galloping and jumping across country. There they learn the necessary appreciation, care and respect for their horses and for their fellow hunt members of all ages. They develop qualities vital for Horse Trials, without poring over a computer, in a healthy outdoor environment, governed by a code of conduct strongly linked with good manners and consideration for others.

The legacy of hunting has created a reservoir of home bred horses which has developed to supply both itself and Horse Trials. The soundness and suitability of brood mares proven in the hunting field, form the basis of this country's popularity as provider of internationally sought after Event horses. With 55,000 horses involved in hunting, specialist breeders are, importantly, provided with a broad outlet for their youngstock if they do not meet the necessary competition standard.

The abolition of hunting would see the bulk of the 55,000 horses made redundant. This is an extremely worrying number to rehabilitate, particularly when it is considered that the overall number of horses involved in the major equestrian sports - Horse Trials, pure Show-jumping and Dressage and Racing - totals just over 40,000.

Most riders would find it impossible to carry forward their sport, in either a professional or an amateur manner, if they could not find owners to support their horses' considerable cost and expenses. A large number of owners are recruited from the hunting field where their interest and subsequent devotion to cross-country has evolved.

In the unusual event of an equine fatality at a Horse Trials, it is the hunt that removes the carcass. Horse Trials rely totally on the local hunts to provide this service, free of charge, at every event in the country. It would prove an impossible financial burden to the sport if it was no longer available and had to be commercially replaced.

The hunt also affords the only opportunity for horses, who, like dogs, become characters to most of their owners, to be put-down in the familiarity of their own homes. Without this facility horses would have to be dispatched to abattoirs to be destroyed.

The countryside that is cared for and the habitats that are maintained for hunting, lend themselves ideally to the cross-country element of Horse Trials.

The infrastructure and social environment that Hunting provides, drawing together people from many different aspects of country and urban-life, is naturally progressed through the world of Horse Trials. The awareness that is thus developed for both the countryside and its care, is crucial to assure the preservation of the countryside.

Drag hunting is often considered a viable alternative to hunting. It is a completely different sport and unlike hunting it is rare to find a potential or current Event horse that can benefit from drag hunting without becoming over-excited and reckless. The sport is conducted at a maintained and faster pace than hunting, over a pre-arranged route, eliminating the element of unpredictability that so embellishes the learning of the skills required in Horse Trials.

The sport of Horse Trials is charged with the welfare and training of the horse and the development of the skill of the rider. It actively encourages hunting to develop the skills of both. Therefore, for the reasons set out above, it cares deeply about maintaining hunting.

Almost without exception every British medallist in Horse Trials has started out in the hunting-field. The abolition of hunting would remove a vital ingredient necessary for Britain to achieve international success and maintain its position at the top of the sport.