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New venue awarded 2020 international fixture
British Eventing is delighted to announce that Thoresby Park in Nottinghamshire has been awarded the week five international fixture from 2020, following the loss of Belton International. The final part of the fixtures process saw four selected venues present to a Stakeholder Panel yesterday (Wednesday 26 June) and the organising team of BEDE Events allocated the fixture. The Stakeholder Panel was made up of the following:
“The key focus has been to ensure the sport selected the best possible venue to deliver such an important early season International. All of the final four applicants could have delivered this, but we are delighted to award this fixture to Thoresby Park and the BEDE team. “It was a very difficult decision and we fully appreciate that Bicton, Weston Park and Frickley Park will be disappointed. As a sport we, and our members, are incredibly lucky to have such fabulous venues that host affiliated competition and I’d like to thank all the organisers who applied for this fixture.” Helen Eshelby, Outdoor Events Manager at Thoresby Park, commented; “Thoresby Park are thrilled to have been chosen as the new home for the spring two, three and four star event. We look forward to welcoming the international riders in April 2020 and working with Stuart, Anna and the BEDE Events team on the horse trials for many years to come.” Stuart Buntine, Director of BEDE, commented; “We are thrilled to have ‘Belton’ back and look forward to taking it to further heights at Thoresby. We thank British Eventing for their confidence in the BEDE team and are well into planning mode for this great new venue.” About the process Following the announcement in April that the National Trust at Belton Park would no longer be hosting a horse trial, all organisers were invited to express their interest in hosting the replacement fixture. Seven venues applied for the fixture and from those, four venues were selected for a site visit by a Venue Assessment Panel, made up of Yogi Breisner, Paul Graham and Bruce Haskell. The four organisers were then invited to present to the Stakeholder Panel, who made the final decision. Some of the key considerations which led to Thoresby Park being awarded the fixture were:
Malcolm Wharton – Independent Chairman Malcolm has spent 39 years in the Land Based and Sports Education industry, and 22 years as principal at Hartpury College. He was instrumental in the development of the equestrian academy and facilities at Hartpury, including the introduction of the successful International event that runs annually in August. Malcolm has been a Director of the RFU since 2013. Paul Tapner Paul represents the Event Riders Association. An Australian International Event Rider, Paul has been based in the UK since 1999 and competed at every level of the sport all across Great Britain and Europe. He won Badminton Horse Trials in 2010 on Inonothing and went on to represent Australia at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA. Jan Cottam Jan is the Chairman of the British Event Organisers Association, Organiser of Goring Heath Horse Trials in Oxfordshire, a BE Steward, FEI Steward and FEI Ground Jury Level 2. Mark Corbett Mark is on the Board of the Event Horse Owners Association. Along with competing up to 3* level, Mark is a BE Accredited Coach and Under 18 Coach for the South East and currently sits on the BE Sport Committee. Sarah Bullen Senior Eventing Selector, former 5* competitor and coach, Sarah represents the Senior Performance Team. Update on the Strategic Fixtures Process Review The review of the Strategic Fixtures Process is ongoing and the next meeting of the Review panel is 1st July. More information will be released about the Review, and any outcomes in due course.
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The following is the response from the British Eventing Board of Directors to specific concerns that were raised in relation to the Strategic Fixtures Calendar 2020 and British Eventing (BE) communications.
This process, and the invitation to attend the board meeting, was seen as a very positive initiative by the BE board to address publicly raised issues by key sections of the BE membership that feel they are currently being overlooked. The session allowed a frank and open discussion and was an opportunity for the BE board to hear the views presented to ERA of GB, by BE members. The intention of the meeting was to seek an indication from the BE board as to what their overall future policy may look like in reaction to member dissatisfaction, as well as highlighting obvious deficiencies at all levels in the BE sanctioned FEI calendar beyond 2019. The response from the BE board as outlined below shows an acceptance that change is required and that BE is taking the views of the wider membership very seriously. Recent online engagement activity and open availability of BE board members at regional events also shows that a much-needed cultural change to “listen to members” is being undertaken. While more detail is required as to how the issues surrounding the Strategic Fixtures Calendar 2020 and BE communications will be resolved, we must accept that open acknowledgment of the problem by BE is a huge step in the right direction. It is very clear from all involved in BE that there is a willingness to change across many areas and as members we must continue to be involved in the process. Bruce Haskell Chairman of the Eventing Riders Association of Great Britain. British Eventing Board of Directors response: Strategic Fixtures Calendar 2020
British Eventing Website
Communications
After a valued partnership of 15 years with Bede Events, we can confirm that the International Horse Trials will no longer be hosted at Belton House.
The growth in scale of the event is unfortunately now at odds with the conservation management of the Grade 1 listed parkland we care for; preventing risks to the historic earthworks and buried archaeology through compaction and erosion, to the parkland wildlife, and to veteran trees and their root systems. “We recognise the significance of the Horse Trials and their place in Belton’s recent history, and have therefore not come to this decision lightly” said Ian Cooper, General Manager for the National Trust Belton House. “The core purpose of the National Trust is to protect this historic place for future generations, and we must honour that commitment.” Additional Frequently Asked Questions can be found at 20190429 Internal FAQs Horse Trials - FINAL.pdf Statement from The Eventing Riders Association of Great Britain (ERA of GB)
For many years’ riders have been requesting a review of the UK based FEI calendar to better suit the needs of the members. We have identified 3 main groups of British Eventing (BE) FEI competitors and have had the balance of each present or future group in mind when approached by BE to participate in decision making. Those 3 groups are: 1. Aspirational FEI eventers who want to compete at lower level FEI events as “something special” to aim for but not entering the qualification matrix. 2. Lower level FEI competitors. Those including pony riders, under 18, under 21 young riders and non-categorised seniors who wish to use the FEI MER matrix to progress 3. Senior riders with an FEI category. ERA of GB was approached in 2018 by BE to provide an experienced candidate to participate in the selection of future FEI events in GB based on a set of criteria. ERA of GB was not given access to those specific criteria or asked to participate in the creation of the criteria, however we 100% backed the intention and direction that BE was taking to create a more balanced calendar. The ERA of GB representative chosen is an extremely well rounded and experienced individual who actively competes at multiple levels in BE and FEI competitions. We understand that there has been a tremendous amount of work undertaken by BE staff and numerous volunteers to create the final list. We also understand that change creates un-rest and un-certainty for all stakeholders but back BE that some changes are necessary. This is the first time the FEI International Fixtures review process has taken place in this method and we acknowledge that not everything in either method, process or outcome will be perfect. It is however, extremely positive to see new venues events listed throughout Great Britain on the BE FEI fixtures list and specifically events in the North given FEI status. Following the release of the British Eventing 2020-2025 International calendar ERA of GB feels there are many favourable changes but would actively encourage the BE board to review the outcome specifically in relation to our riders in group 1 & 2. As the FEI (and BE) MER matrix forces competitors to enter a qualification network to progress up the FEI grades and allows senior BE FEI riders to bypass lower levels it creates an uneven balance whereby riders will either be forced to travel to FEI events further than they used to or simply not enter. Groups 1 & 2 BE riders need events that are locally accessible to them. To all riders and owners extra days off work, additional travel, accommodation, finding home care or stable cover, extra on site stabling as well as entries and start fees all add up to extra cost and may influence the decision to enter a UK based FEI event. Group 3 riders may simple not enter an event at distance due to cost to themselves or owners or number of horses they can physically compete. Compressing two different levels of FEI stared events at one location i.e. 2&3*short will increase the number of competitors which is great for the organisers, but it will split dressage over 2 days and most likely put SJ and XC on different days. The knock on for all owners and riders could easily be 3 days extra stabling, 3 days leave from work, 3 days stable or home cover plus diesel, food and accommodation. ERA of GB appreciates the process of review undertaken by British Eventing but as highlighted by direct contact from effected BE members, there are significant gaps in the South West and South East of England as well obvious FEI calendar clashes which fail to meet the needs of these members. Therefore, ERA of GB would ask the BE board to reconsider some of the decisions that have been made and view that the re-instatement of Nunney onto the calendar indicates they have an open mind to the views of owners and riding members. Bruce Haskell Chairman of the Eventing Riders Association of Great Britain. British Eventing announces International and BE Championship calendar for 2020-2025
As a result of the Strategic Fixtures Calendar Review, British Eventing (BE) is pleased to announce the 2020-2025 fixtures list for International and BE Championship classes. Why did we undertake the review? The overriding objective was to provide a balanced fixtures calendar, giving the greatest opportunities for members to compete and reflecting the changing needs of the sport. In addition, key considerations included sustainability, financial viability and geographical spread. What did we do? A robust process was carried out during 2018/2019 to which all organisers were invited to participate, the key stages were: · Invited tenders and received 60 applications · Scored and evaluated the applications · A stakeholder panel allocated the fixtures · Conducted an appeal process Please find full details of the process can be found on the British Eventing website In order to respect the organisers and the sensitivity of the information provided, BE have kept the details of this process confidential. Fiona O’Hara, Chair of the British Eventing Board commented; “I would like to thank all the organisers and their teams for taking the time to apply to host international and BE Championships fixtures. We were delighted to have received so many high-quality submissions. “As a result of a final review, we identified a geographical gap in the South West, and have therefore taken the decision to rectify this for the benefit of our members by an adding one additional fixture in this region. “The fixtures calendar will remain under constant review in order to ensure that we continue to maximise the opportunities for our members to compete. “We are really excited by the calendar and the introduction of new international and championships venues. This gives our members the unique opportunity to compete at a choice of familiar and much-loved venues along with some exciting new additions.” The setting of the National Fixtures is an integral part of the Strategic Planning Process; with the International and Championship classes now set, work now continues on the National fixtures which will be announced later in the year. EHOA, BEOA & ERA Response to the Statement by British Eventing of the request to call an EGM
Following the recent statement issued by the Board of British Eventing on Tuesday 2nd October 2018, EHOA, BEOA & ERA of GB thought it would be helpful to release the wider opinion of our memberships on the notice expressing no confidence in the Chairman and Chief Executive. Our associations fully understand the many concerns of British Eventing members and appreciate the level of feeling with regard to these issues. However it is of the utmost importance to protect the Sport and to continue with the deliverance of a number of vitally important projects, the continued day to day and strategic management of British Eventing and the continuation and timely completion of the BE IT project. Those that have called the EGM, in accordance with the Articles of Association, quite clearly feel strongly enough to alert BE of these issues. We support the right of the individuals to do so and encourage the active engagement of BE members in their sport. However experience and continuity in certain areas is paramount for the Sport both with the current projects taking place and within the management at BE and at Board Level. For any change to be executed, clear communication and transparency is vital. To date, there has been no report on strategy or proposals for the future from the group of members calling the EGM. This is an essential requirement for the wider membership in order to consider all the relevant facts, before reaching a conclusion. The notice requisitioning the EGM leaves our associations unclear as to what resolution is being put to the EGM. Given the wide and varied opinions within the Sport, without any evidence based single directive, our associations are unable to form any considered views about the concerns expressed by those 107 signatories. Our associations urge as many BE members as possible to attend both the EGM (to be held on Monday 22nd October 2018 at 2pm, The Loft, NAEC, Stoneleigh) and the AGM (to be held on Sunday 4th November 2018 at 12.30pm CV8 2XZ ) Chairs of BEOA, EHOA , ERA - Jan Cottam, Cathy Butler, Bruce Haskell 9th October 2018 Important notice to Athletes, Organising Committees and National FederationsThe FEI Veterinary Department draws your attention to the ongoing outbreaks of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV).
Please find relevant information and advice related to the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) outbreak in western France and also general biosecurity information that is applicable at all times everywhere, by clicking on the name of each document. By following this advice you will make a very important contribution to the protection of horse health and equestrian sports. For any further information please contact the FEI Veterinary Director, goran.akerstrom@fei.org. |
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