New Grassroots Team Challenge Launches

British Eventing is excited to announce the full details of a new team competition for adult riders at BE80(T) and BE90 Open level for the 2020 season. Teams will have the opportunity to compete in any of the ten Team Challenge Qualifiers to win a place at the Team Challenge Championship at Weston Park (2) this October sponsored by Rowen Barbary.  

With the Rider Working Groups, in conjunction with ERA of GB, the 2020 Team Challenge launches with some exciting changes, including the introduction of Team Challenge Qualifiers and self-selecting teams. Teams of up to four can compete in Team Challenge Qualifiers, taking place between June and August this year, and the winning team at each Qualifier takes a spot at the Team Challenge Championship.

Olivia Szajna, Head of Marketing, Communications and Commercial commented; “Last year’s Regional Team competition, supported by Rowen Barbary, was brilliant and the riders that took part thoroughly enjoyed the competition at Weston Park. The overwhelming feedback last year from our eventing community was that they would love the opportunity to take part with their friends in self-selected teams, and that the eligibility criteria should be relaxed. We have taken this feedback on board with the aim of giving more members the chance to experience this new team competition opportunity.
 
“From the feedback the most significant changes made have been to introduce BE80(T) level competition, expand the BE90 class to BE90 Open, remove the selection process and allow riders to form their own teams and introduce Qualifiers. Over the past few months we have worked with the Sport Team, Rider Working Groups, our Regional Coordinators and Event Organisers to create the new format, rules and eligibility, taking feedback along the way to make amends that best suit the needs of our members. 

“Our sport is all about community, so we are really excited about bringing this opportunity to our members. We hope that this will not only give riders at BE80(T) and BE90 Open level a real aim for the season and the opportunity to compete with their friends, but encourage new people into the sport with a fun, friendly and supportive competition. 

“We hope that the new competition will be well supported, and we are thankful to our Event Organisers for hosting the Qualifiers and the Championship. As with anything new, this pilot year will be a learning curve and we will continue to take feedback in order to evolve the competition going forwards, including looking at the introduction of BE100 sections.”

How to Take Part

• View the rules and eligibility criteria HERE.
• Get your friends, family or yard buddies together, appoint a team manager and think of a team name! (Teams must be made up of at least three and a maximum of four combinations).
• View the Team Challenge Qualifiers and the dates for when online team applications open.
• Once you have decided which qualifier(s) your team want to compete at submit your team via the application form. Applications will be based on a first come first served basis – so make sure you apply early. You can apply to compete in as many qualifiers as you wish.
• Get training – keep an eye on the BE Training Courses page for specific Team Challenge training in the run up to the Qualifiers. 
• Once applications are closed a British Eventing Regional Training and Education Administrator will notify your team manager whether your team has got a place in the Qualifier or not.
• If your team has been accepted you can go ahead and make your entries to the Qualifier. 
• Go and have fun!

View the 2020 Team Challenge Rules and Eligibility
To help our members connect with other riders looking to become part of a team, answer any questions and generally get excited about the Team Challenge, join the official Team Challenge Facebook Group HERE.

If you have any questions please contact sport@britisheventing.com.

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