We’re tantalisingly close to the start of the eventing season now, and we know that lots of our followers will be chomping at the bit to get started! It’s been a long, cold and wet winter and we applaud every single person who’s been out there taking care of horses and training getting ready for the competitions to start. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for two things – a season that’s not interrupted by wet ground, hard ground or any other meteorological events, and a season where riders know we’re here for them if they need us.
The British Eventing Support Trust was set up to be there for British Eventing competing members in times of need. That might be after an accident at an event, during a mental health episode or because they were injured caring for or riding their horse at home. We’re so proud to have now helped hundreds of riders, and as our profile grows, so too does the number of people coming to us asking for help. In this month’s blog we’re sharing how to apply for our support, including the information you need to have before you start, and what the process looks like once you begin.
Check your eligibility
Let’s start with how to see if you’re eligible for our help:
- Check your BE membership status
Our support is open to BE competing members only, so you’ll need to be an introductory, standard or premier British Eventing competing member both now and when the accident or incident occurred. It doesn’t matter if you’ve changed levels in between the accident/issue and the point you’re applying for support, but you must still be a competing member.
- Have your number to hand when you apply
We will ask for your BE number when you get to the point of applying for our help, so please make sure you have it. It’s an important step and we can’t progress your application for support without it.
- The accident or issue needs to be equestrian-related
We support BE competing members who’ve been injured competing and when caring for their horse at home or exercising them. We’ve had beneficiaries who were injured getting their horse in from the field, training on the beach during a cold snap and schooling youngsters. The key factor is that the accident must be equestrian-related – for example we can’t help if you slip down the stairs at home or have a car accident on the way to the yard. We also support people who are facing mental health challenges.
- It must have taken place in the past 12 months
We can’t help you if the incident took place more than 12 months before you apply to us. It’s rare for people to ask us for help with anything older, but it does happen and unfortunately, we have to draw the line somewhere! So, only accidents, challenges and incidents from the past year will qualify.
How does an application work?
If your situation meets the criteria above, then it’s time to get in touch with us. You can either fill out the form on our website (click here to go there now) or call us on 0333 335 5604. For the latter, you may be asked to leave a message if our staff aren’t available or you call us out of office hours.
In either case, we will respond to your online enquiry or message within 24 working hours. If you contact us via the telephone, you will be asked to answer some questions so that we can collect the information we need. For those who have filled out the form, we will call you to ask for more detailed medical information to help us shape our support or plan out the next steps.
What happens next?
Once we’ve confirmed your membership with British Eventing and established that your situation meets our criteria, we open a case file and allocate a unique case number. Every enquiry receives one, even in situations where we’re unable to help, so that all communication is stored securely and clearly documented. From here, the next steps depend on the type of support you’re applying for.
Applying for physical rehabilitation support
If you’re applying for help following a physical injury, we’ll ask you to complete a full application form and provide medical information about your injury. This allows us to understand:
- The nature and severity of the injury
- The treatment you’ve already received
- Your current stage of recovery
- What further rehabilitation has been recommended
The more complete the information you send us is, the quicker we can move forward. In some cases, applicants are able to send everything through within hours. In others, particularly where injuries are complex or ongoing, it may take longer to gather reports and recommendations. That’s absolutely fine; we work with your circumstances and understand it can be a difficult time.
All medical information that you send us is always handled sensitively and securely. Access is limited to the Welfare Officer, the Executive Director and our Medical Advisors. Trustees receive only the information that they need to make funding decisions.
Once we have everything we need, we’ll let you know the timeline for review. Cases are considered by the Executive Director as the delegated authority or at Trustee meetings or at dedicated case meetings where required.
How decisions are made
Our Medical Advisors review the facts of the case and share their recommendations. Depending on the level of support required, decisions may be made by delegated authority (for smaller awards) or by Trustees at a meeting.
You will always be informed of the decision personally, first during a telephone call and then in writing via email. If your application is approved, we create a formal grant agreement which is signed by the Chair of Trustees. The funding is then arranged directly with your rehabilitation provider, and we track support carefully to ensure everything is recorded transparently.
What kind of support might be provided?
Support varies depending on injury and recommendation, but may include:
- Neuro-physiotherapy
- Specialist sports physiotherapy
- Rehabilitation programmes tailored to equestrian injuries
Where appropriate, we work with trusted providers who understand the demands of returning to riding. Our providers are asked to assess you properly and keep us informed if further sessions are recommended. If additional treatment is requested, that request is then reviewed by our Medical Advisors and either the delegated authority or the Trustees before a decision is made.
Throughout the process, we remain in touch and when your rehabilitation comes to an end, we formally close the case with confirmation from both you and the provider.
Applying for mental health support
If you’re seeking help for a mental health challenge related to equestrian life, the process is slightly different. We work in partnership with Sporting Chance, who run a confidential 24/7 mental health helpline. Once you contact us (or them directly), trained staff will:
- Triage and assess your situation
- Check your BE membership status
- Ensure the challenge is equestrian-related and if it was caused by an incident that can be pinpointed, it happened in the past 12 months.
Please note that if a caller is in crisis, their immediate health and wellbeing is always the priority.
Where support is appropriate, Sporting Chance will provide an initial block of counselling sessions delivered in person, via phone or online. They act as our delegated, specialist authority for this first stage of support. If further sessions are recommended by the counsellor, that request comes back to the Trust for review by the delegated authority or Trustees. All cases are anonymised when presented to the Medical Advisors and Trustees.
As with physical support, you will always be kept informed. All communication is securely recorded and handled sensitively.
Applying for financial support
In cases of hardship following an equestrian-related injury, we may also be able to offer financial assistance. Alongside the qualifying questions, we will ask you to provide detailed financial information so that Trustees can understand your circumstances fully and fairly. This is treated with strict confidentiality and reviewed only by the Welfare Officer, Executive Director and Trustees involved in the decision.
Once your application is complete:
- Trustees review the case
- A decision is made at a meeting
- You are contacted personally by phone
- A formal written decision follows by email
If support is approved, a grant agreement is created and signed by the Chair, and payments are arranged appropriately.
How long does the process take?
As we said a little earlier in this blog, we respond to every initial enquiry within 24 working hours. After that, the timescales can vary depending on:
- How quickly medical or financial information can be gathered
- The complexity of the case
- When the next case or Trustee meeting is scheduled
We understand that if you’re applying for support, you’re unlikely to be in an easy position, and that clear, timely communication really helps. We will always tell you:
- What information we’re waiting for
- When your case will be reviewed
- When you can expect to hear from us
And we will always speak to you directly about the outcome.
From receiving all the relevant information to presenting your case at the next Case Meeting can take a few weeks so the sooner you contact us following your injury the more likely we’ll have some rehab plans in place ready for your medical team giving you the green light to start your rehabilitation.
If we’re unable to help…
Occasionally, an application doesn’t meet our criteria. When that happens, we explain clearly and carefully why we can’t assist, and we signpost to other organisations who may be able to help.
Applying for support can feel daunting, and we know that. It’s a big step to get in touch with us but we’ve designed the process to be thorough, fair and supportive, and we hope it’s not intimidating. Our team is here to help you, so if you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, get in touch. A conversation costs nothing, and we would always rather speak to you early than have you struggle alone.