The BEF is committed to increasing participation and raising standards across equestrian sport. In 2007, following a successful application for funding to Sport England, the BEF has been able to begin implementation of a regional structure and re-organise the overall approach to Coaching and Participation.
The BEF has established a network of part-time Regional Development Co-ordinators (RDC's) who will co-ordinate and connect the sport by enabling better communication across the Member Body disciplines and with external partners. They will make it easier for Equestrianism to represent itself as one 'joined up' sport and to communicate with potential partners with one voice.
Club and Coach regional action plans will focus on:
- Increasing opportunities for participation in the urban environment by establishing links between schools and riding centres/clubs
- Enhancing the provision of coaching to disabled riders
- Providing increased opportunities enabling people to either "return to" or "have a go at" both Olympic and non-Olympic equestrian disciplines.
- Identification, support and development of athletes and horses demonstrating talent and potential
- Recruiting, retaining and rewarding volunteers
The BEF Development Team aims to work with BEF Member Bodies to increase participation and volunteer skills within safe and structured environments; more accessible and improved facilities, provision of equipment and supporting and developing the coaching workforce enabling provision of an ever higher level of coaching from grass roots to Olympic standards, to all ages, abilities, and across all BEF equestrian disciplines.
The Team is led by our recently appointed head of regional development, Maggie Still. You can keep up to date with developments in the regions and find the contact details of the individual RDC's in this section of the website.
Please note that parts of this section are still under construction, please bear with us while we continue to add information.
