The Punchestown international three-day event and country fair, scheduled to run under the IFG banner from May 17th-20th, is the latest victim of the current crisis.

Charlie Murless, Punchestown racecourse chief executive, announced the "indefinite" postponement of the Co Kildare fixture yesterday morning.

The decision to postpone was defended yesterday by event director Jean Mitchell. "I'm in total agreement with the decision," she said. "In the light of the arrangements that riders have to make regarding their horses' fitness and qualifications it was the right decision to make."

It is hoped the three-day event can be rescheduled during June, but dates have to be agreed with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). One possibility is June 21st-24th, which would clash only with a French international one-day event in Chantilly.

Talks with the FEI are ongoing about a new date and it is vital that Punchestown remains on the 2001 calendar as an application has been submitted to the FEI to host the 2003 European three-day event championships at the Co Kildare racetrack.

A decision on the 2003 championships is to be made at the FEI general assembly, which takes place in San Francisco between April 24th and 27th.