British Eventing Awarded Charitable Status
In an exciting development for the sport, and after much behind the scenes work, British Eventing has created a new charitable arm; approval of the application was received yesterday (26th June).
The British Eventing Charitable Foundation currently has four trustees: Hugh Thomas, former Principal of Hartpury College Malcolm Wharton, Lady Madeleine Lloyd Webber and Mike Etherington-Smith. Lady Lloyd Webber is a past British Junior double silver medal winner (Poland 1984) and Senior team gold medal winner (Bialy Bor 1986), and mother to Junior level Event rider Isabella.
There is much work to be done. The aims of the Foundation include increasing the number and range of opportunities for individuals of all capabilities and backgrounds to participate in the sport of Eventing, as well as developing further training and education for amateur riders. This latter goal is a continuation of the work started by the Education and Training arm of BE, which launched in 2012. Last year alone 2,055 riders tried out 255 BE Accredited Courses, and in future these courses will be run through the Foundation.
Hugh Thomas, BE's Chairman, commented: “This is exciting news for Eventing, and provides us with an opportunity to open up the sport to a far wider audience, encouraging participation not just from riders and volunteers but by spectators and followers too.”