Horse off course: May Expo Postponed

Directors of Beef Australia Ltd met yesterday to discuss the fate of Horse Australia 2008, which was to be held in Rockhampton, Queensland from the 1st to 4th of May 2008.
Though Queensland is due to be declared EI free sometime between March and June, organisers have decided to postpone the event until later in the year due to the continued uncertainty in the industry caused by the EI outbreak and general disruption to competition.
Beef Australia Ltd is currently reviewing the logistics of moving the Expo to coincide with Paradise Lagoons Campdraft that has been postponed until the 18th, 19th and 20th of July 2008.
To extend beyond July 2008 is not possible for event organisers who are also planning the Beef Australia 2009 Expo which is scheduled to run in Rockhampton from the 4th to 8th of May next year.
Event Manager Noel Landry said “It is also possible we might postpone the event altogether and instead have elements of the Horse Expo wrapped into Beef Australia 2009. We, along with government and performance and pleasure horse industry representatives are doing our utmost to ensure that there will be a Horse Australia Expo to look forward to.”
Event managers appreciate the support provided by sponsors and trade exhibitors to date and wish to reassure them that they will receive full refunds of monies if they are not able to accommodate a postponement.
Mr Landry said his staff would also be contacting suppliers, seminar speakers and others contracted to the Expo to work through any issues arising from the decision.
A firm decision on a final date should be announced at the end of the month.