The British Eventing Support Trust’s annual Winter Ball, which took place on Saturday 29th of November, has once again brought the eventing community together to raise an incredible £185,000 to support the charity’s vital work.
Held at The Savoy Hotel in London, the Winter Ball is the Trust’s biggest fundraising event of the year, attracting supporters, riders, owners and industry figures from across the sport. The total raised includes proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction, as well as the live auction, raffle and donations on the night, all contributing to an evening of celebration and generosity in aid of a very worthy cause.
Funds raised will directly support the charity’s mission to safeguard the physical and mental health of British Eventing competing members. The Trust is on track to help 52% more riders in 2025 than last year, an achievement only made possible by the continued generosity of the eventing community and those who support its work.
Ian Stark, British Eventing Support Trust Chair of Trustees, said:
“It’s been truly humbling to see how wholeheartedly the eventing community continues to rally behind the Trust. In four years, we’ve helped so many competing members and the funds raised at the Winter Ball will make a real and lasting difference to riders who need our help.”
Lexi Hambro, Chair of the Winter Ball and one of the Trustees of the Trust added: “On behalf of all the trustees and staff I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to the committee and everyone who supported the event, donated prizes, or gave so generously on the night. You’ve helped make the Winter Ball a success and we couldn’t do any of this without you.”
The Winter Ball committee would also like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the amazing line-up of sponsors who supported the ball this year. The sponsors included: Hambro Sports Horses (drinks and champagne reception sponsor); Project Pony (entertainment sponsors); sponsors of the table centre decorations, Addo Events and Walkernova Sports Horses; Equine Bio Genie who sponsored the Heads and Tails; Hunter Laing and Ian Gibson (games sponsorship) and Bates Saddles who generously donated a saddle for the Prize Draw.