This year's Annual Exhibition - formerly known as the Ag Show - has been cancelled after Hurricane Fabian badly damaged the Botanical Gardens, according to a letter leaked to The Royal Gazette yesterday.

Calls to the Parks Department by The Royal Gazette to confirm the cancellation were not returned yesterday.

In the letter to the Bermudian Equestrian Federation (BEF) members, BEF president Michael Cherry said the federation had been advised on January 15 that the Annual Exhibition had been cancelled for 2004.

"We have been assured the Exhibition will go ahead as planned in 2005," he wrote. "The decision was made at Cabinet level and is not related to the management programme which was initiated last year prior to Fabian. The damage caused at the Botanical Gardens was extensive and many buildings were severely damaged, including the grandstand which was destroyed.

"The stables were damaged beyond repairs, and roofs were taken off many buildings, including the garage. Many trees were uprooted and are now supported by ropes and wires, which interrupt free movement around the grounds.

"No repairs have yet been carried out due to lack of funds, and the Parks Department personnel will be taking the opportunity to improve the park, including the re-building of the grandstand."

Mr. Cherry also said a one-day horse show held in conjunction with the SPCA was suggested, but the idea was rejected "for many valid reasons".

"The BEF board will now make a decision on what to do with the now vacant dates," he said. "It is hoped that members will understand the reason for the cancellation and will support the decision.

"We have had a number of meetings with Parks and Environment personnel over the last few months, and have worked with them to arrive at a positive solution. We are confident that 2005 will see the return of the exhibition."

Government previously said it would release a statement this week about the fate of the exhibition. Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield was unavailable for comment last night.