British Breeder Magazine May 2020

NEWS - FROM THE DISCIPLINES
Update from
Jude Matthews,
British Eventing CEO
Firstly, I hope that you and your families are keeping well.
I thought it may be a good time to update you on the work we
are doing for sport recommencement. The announcement last
Thursday of a period of at least another three weeks of
restrictions was inevitable, but it also puts an increased focus on
the work we can do to ensure an appropriate sport
recommencement.
There remains a huge number of unknowns which means that
any plans will have to remain fluid, and we will need all
stakeholders to work together to get eventing back up and
running.
Sport resumption strategies
Unfortunately, it is inevitable that some of you may not be in a
position to compete in the way you would have planned prior
to COVID-19, but we know that there are others who are
desperate to get going again.
We are therefore looking at our
fixtures list to ensure it can meet a
potentially changing level and type
of demand.
We know that many of you are keen
to understand what the plans are for
BE Championships and we know how
important these are to all our members.
We are working on plans for each of
our Championships, this too takes time
and involves input from organisers
and sponsors. We will update you
as soon as we have any more
information. All of the above
requires significant work to
develop, and BE will continue to
work with all its stakeholders
over the coming weeks.
We are working on a number of strategies for
recommencement. Much will depend on both the
timing and the way that the government lifts restrictions.
However, we are currently working on the following:
•Hybrid competition formats –
Such as arena eventing or combined training, to bridge
the gap between relaxing of restrictions and full rider
and horse fitness for normal eventing. We know that
our different segments of member will have differing
needs and we will continue to discuss proposals with
all stakeholders as we get closer to a restart.
•Social distancing –
What measures can we take to limit close social
contact on event. We are planning on the basis that
some level of social distancing will be required for
some time. It is also likely that many people will feel
safer to compete again knowing we are putting these
measures in place.
•Restrictions on mass gatherings –
Restrictions on mass gatherings – what would a restriction in
numbers mean to how we can operate?
We know that there will be a number of key considerations, not
only restrictions. For example,
•Will we be able to procure appropriate medical cover?
•Will our volunteer base be comfortable and willing to take
up their roles again? We have to consider that they may not
want to volunteer until the situation stabilises.
•Will the contractors used to support events still be in business
and able to supply the services we need?
•Are there rules that we will need to review in order to enable
us to resume sport but maintain our high standards and resume
sport again?
We also do not know what demand for competition will be
when we can recommence, but we are carefully listening to
member feedback.
Working through
these scenarios also
provides us the
opportunity to really look
at how sport is delivered,
and ways that we can
make what we do more
efficient & cost effective.
We have committed to
you that we will look
at ways we can
reward the loyalty of
those who have
retained membership
with us during the
period of no sport,
which will also form
part of the work to
be done when we
know when sport
can recommence.
We do not know
what the future looks
like, but we will come
out of this, and the sport
will thrive again.
Take care, Jude
Tim Price
BRITISH BREEDER| 7