British Eventing's Charity launches ahead of 2015 season
BE have announced that the The British Eventing Charitable Foundation is now live and in operation, already creating funds to help develop the reach of the sport and continue the work started by the Education and Training arm of BE, which launched in 2012.
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.
In 2014 alone, 2,055 riders tried out 255 BE Accredited Courses, and in future these courses will be run through the Foundation.
The Charity currently has four trustees: Hugh Thomas, Director of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, 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 (Poland 1984) and Senior team gold medallist (Bialy Bor 1986), and mother to Junior level Event rider Isabella.
Hugh Thomas who is also BE's current Chairman, commented: "It is wonderful news that our charity is now up and running. We hope to attract new donations from people wanting to support our education and training activities and also towards the vital research to support risk reduction in our sport."