This summer is shaping up to be a busy and exciting one for the British Eventing Support Trust, with a fantastic lineup of events across the eventing calendar, from Badminton and Belsay to Bicton and the South of Scotland.
As our impact continues to grow, so too does the demand for our support. Every year, we help more British Eventing competing members rebuild their lives after serious injury, accidents, or mental health challenges, and fundraising events like these play a vital role in making that possible. Just as importantly, they help us raise awareness within the British Eventing community, inspiring more people to get involved, support our work, and host their own fundraising efforts.
With plenty already in the diary – and more still to come- here’s a look at what we’ve got planned over the coming months.
The MARS Badminton Horse Trials: 6th – 10th May
Badminton Horse Trials is one of the most exciting dates in the eventing calendar and we are thrilled to be putting on our Badminton Briefing, a rare chance to hear directly from leading riders and commentators. Taking place at Grittleton House on Wednesday 6th of May at 7pm, the night before the competition kicks off, it brings together an expert panel – Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt, Alice Fox-Pitt, Sam Watson and Nicole Brown – to talk all things Badminton!
Tickets are £50 and include a tasty chilli and a welcome drink, and you can expect a fun evening packed with insight about this year’s competitions, the courses and who we can expect to see in contention by show jumping day. Tickets are selling very quickly so if you’d like to join us then click the link below and snap yours up now.
Buy your tickets for the Badminton Briefing here.
Belsay International Horse Trials: 15th – 17th May
Then, we’re off to Belsay where we’re excited to be one of their official Charity Partners once more and already looking forward to a very special fundraising event… For anyone who adores man’s best friend, in particular the diminutive ‘sausage dog’, make sure you’re at the Main Arena at 5pm on Saturday 16th for the Dachshund Derby! It promises to be a funny and very sweet spectacle and, if you own a Dachshund and fancy entering them for a chance to be crowned Belsay’s ‘Supreme Sausage, entry is just £10 per pup.
The races will consist of heats with between six and eight sausage dogs lining up to compete over a 15-20 metre course, and we’ll whittle down the competition to a final round to find the overall winner. So, if you have a speedy Dachshund then come on down and join in at Belsay and enter now using the button below!
Enter your Dachshund in the Derby here!
Bicton International Horse Trials: 22nd – 25th May
We’re heading down to Devon for Bicton International Horse Trials and we’re over the moon to be their official Charity Partner for this year’s event. We’re busy putting the finishing touches on our fundraising plans for the week there, so keep an eye on our social media for more information, coming soon.
South of Scotland Horse Trials: 13th & 14th June
It is wonderful to see a new event thriving and we are delighted to see South of Scotland back for their second year in the British Eventing calendar and to be their Charity Partner. We’re very pleased to share the details of our fundraising events – two charity course walks on the 12th of June, hosted by our very own Chair of Trustees, Ian Stark.
A man who probably needs no introduction, but it would be remiss not to mention that Ian is a bona fide eventing legend, with multiple Olympic medals and three Badminton wins to his name. He’s also been course designer so, together with his fun and insightful approach, Ian is the perfect person to guide our course walk ticket holders through the challenges of this year’s South of Scotland courses.
There will be two course walks, the first at 5pm on the Intermediate course, and the second at 7pm for the grassroots course (BE90/100/105). Tickets for each course walk are £20 per adult and £10 for under 26s, and spaces will be limited so don’t hang about!
Get your course walk tickets here.
We’re incredibly grateful to all the events, supporters, and individuals who make these opportunities possible. Every bit of support, through attending, fundraising or sharing our work, helps us continue making a real difference.
We hope to see lots of you over the coming months, so do come and say hello and get involved in what promises to be a brilliant summer.