British Eventing increases efforts to make the sport more affordable amid rising costs

Proving its commitment to listening to its members, British Eventing is trying to ease the impact of increasing costs on riders to ensure competing remains viable this season. What do you think of the changes?

With fuel prices soaring and inflation set to reach an all-time high, British Eventing (BE) has reduced the cost of its newly created pay as you go (PAYG) option, as of 28 April 2022. In a bid to do everything within its power to help members continue to enjoy competing in the sport they love, these reduced fees have been offered as a gesture of support.

While membership previously would have cost £60 (£30 each for horse and rider) plus a run fee of £15, the annual cost has now been slashed in half to £15 each for horse and rider with an additional fee of £10 per run. Members who’ve already bought PAYG memberships this season will be contacted and provided with vouchers in recompense.

“With the spiralling cost of fuel and rapid rise in the rate of inflation we very much wanted to help in any way we could to minimise the pressure this has put on our members,” said British Eventing, Chief Executive Helen West.

“Reducing the cost of the PAYG membership and associated run fee was something that we could implement immediately, and the Board were in resounding agreement when it was discussed with them earlier this week that it would be a good thing to do. We hope this goes some way towards helping and I want to reassure our members that we will continue to look at any other ways we can afford to assist further.”

Many members are commending BE for listening to its members and responding to low entries that are resulting in full or partial cancellations. Some riders who made the initial decision to go unaffiliated at the beginning of season claim to be tempted back to affiliated eventing by this gesture.

However, the changes weren’t met entirely positively.  Many riders who’ve already paid for full annual membership for themselves and their horses – who may have opted for PAYG membership had today’s prices been implemented at the beginning of the season – feel they’ve been ignored by the organisation and that they, too, need support.

Pay As You Go membership was introduced at the beginning of 2022 to offer a level of flexibility for members. It’s ideal for riders trying eventing for the first time, those exploring stepping up to the next level and those who only want to compete a few times per year.

For more information, visit britisheventing.com