BETA returns as presenting sponsor of the Festival of British Eventing

The 2016 Festival of British Eventing marks the British Equestrian Trade Association’s 11th year as presenting sponsor at Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire.

“We are thrilled to be back and looking forward to three days of top-class competition and a fantastic opportunity to meet a clued-up audience of equestrian enthusiasts who love horses as much as we do!” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “Gatcombe promises to be even more exciting than usual, with Rio on the horizon and a heady sense of anticipation that an Olympic year always brings.”

The BETA Anniversary Trophy – introduced in 2015 as part of the trade association's celebrations to mark its 10 years of Gatcombe sponsorship – will be presented to the highest-placed rider taking part in the British Open for the first time.

As part of its commitment to all levels of equestrian sport, BETA will also sponsor the Pony Club Team Show Jumping once again, with prizes awarded to the three top teams and every competitor receiving a commemorative BETA stable plaque.

BETA will highlight rider safety throughout the event by offering free riding hat and body protector checks. All riders competing at, or visiting the event, are invited to bring their safety garments along to the trade association’s stand so that members of the BETA team can inspect both them and their fit. Everyone who receives this service will be given a discount voucher off the price of a new riding hat or body protector when bought from a participating BETA member retailer.

Visitors will be able to find out more about the 2017 BETA Business Awards – important accolades rewarding individuals and companies that have made a significant contribution to the equestrian trade. Three of the 10 awards are open to public nominations: Equestrian Event of the Year, supported by Henson Franklyn, for the indoor or outdoor consumer show deemed to work best with its tradestand exhibitors and give the best visitor experience; SEIB Retailer of the Year, for tack shops or feed merchants judged to offer great customer service; and the Haygain Nutritional Helpline of the Year, for feed companies providing exemplary service in nutritional advice to customers. Winners will be announced and presented with their awards during the 2017 BETA Gala Dinner, at the Motorcycle Museum, near Birmingham, on 22 January.

The trade association's two feed assurance schemes, designed to promote equine wellbeing, will be highlighted at Gatcombe. Leaflets and further information on the BETA NOPS Code, set up to help avoid feed contamination by naturally occurring prohibited substances, and  BETA's latest feed approval mark, created to help owners identify feeds suitable for horses and ponies prone to equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), will be available on the BETA stand.