To download the booklet 'Individual Rider Sponsorship - Understanding the Regulations and Avoiding the Pitfalls' click here.
It is important that all competitors competing at international level are aware of the rules concerning personal sponsorship. As from 1 January 2008, it is vital whether you had an agreement or not under the old BEF system that you make yourself familiar with the new rules. It is the competitors responsibility to ensure his/her sponsor/s are aware of these rules.
The BEF rules state that: "Sponsorship agreements may provide riders with financial assistance for the preparation and participation in events. Such agreements must not contravene these rules, or those rules or bye-laws of the FEI, BOA, UK Sport or any Testing Authority or the provisions of any Team GB or Team GBR agreement." The full BEF rules can be seen here.
The BEF rules no longer state that, "any personal sponsorship agreement must be approved and signed by the Chief Executive on behalf of the Board." Consequently, riders/sponsors are no longer required to pay a levy charge on their sponsorship deals and the BEF will no longer draft standard agreements for riders to avoid clashes of obligations. Those who currently hold one of the old BEF agreements are strongly advised to insert provisions in their ongoing agreements with their sponsors.
The BEF has produced an advisory booklet, 'Individual Rider Sponsorship - Understanding the Regulations and Avoiding the Pitfalls'. The booklet provides guidance on these provisions as well as an abundance of useful information including Your Responsibilities, Avoiding Clashes with other Obligations, A sponsorship checklist, Drafting your Sponsorship Agreement, Rules and Regulations, The Olympic and Paralympic Games and Useful contact details. To download the booklet click here or to receive your copy of the booklet please send an A4 SAE marked: FAO: Joey Nesbitt, British Equestrian Federation, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2RH.
Useful contacts and links listed in the booklet can be accessed here:
FEI - Federation Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation)
IOC - International Olympic Committee
IPC - International Paralympic Committee
LOCOG - London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games
UK Sport
Olympic Symbols Protection Act
BEF Members Bodies contact details including the disciplines
A host of information on how to go about getting sponsorship can be found at the UK Sport website "Get Sponsored". For a variety of grants and schemes that can be utilised by competitors see here.
