Talented young event riders, who are at the start of their evening careers and need a kickstart to take it to the next level, are invited to apply for the inaugural Georgie Campbell Foundation beneficiary.
Applications are open until 30 September for the bursary, which comprises two years of one-to-one mentoring, riding and training and financial support to build their business and eventing prowess.
Focus areas will include financial management, attracting and retaining owners and sponsors, marketing, and managing staff, as well as identifying and working with talented young horses.
The fund was set up in memory of five-star event rider Georgie, who died, aged 36, in a cross-country fall at Bicton Arena in May 2024.
The fund is working to support safety innovation in eventing as well as supporting young eventers.
Georgie’s husband, Jesse, said: “We set up the foundation to give back to the sport Georgie loved. In addition to working to improve cross-country safety, we will provide the help that would have made it easier for young Georgie to set up her eventing business.
“The first beneficiary is going to be incredibly well-supported, as on top of the network and resources we are building, we have received some fantastic pledges of support; from Cooley Farm’s Richard Sheane [a top sport horse dealer], the Equestrian Employers Association, horse feed, supplement and product companies, and more.”
Applicant criteria
Applications are open to riders registered with British Eventing, from all nationalities and those who are already affiliated with a national team.
Preference will be given to riders who have not received substantial support from programmes such as British Equestrian’s World Class Programme.
Riders need to be riding at three-star level and above and have an early-stage eventing business. Apply here.
Burghley preview event
The Georgie Campbell Foundation will be fundraising at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September).
Activities include a cross-country preview event between 5pm and 7pm on Friday 5 September in the Event Horse Owners Association tent with equestrian broadcaster Nicole Brown, international event riders Jesse Campbell and Tom McEwen, and Burghley’s assistant course designer, Andrew Heffernan.
Tickets for the cross-country preview event cost £38.62 and are available here.
Silent and live auction
There will also be a silent and live auction with lots of eventing memorabilia, luxury holidays, equestrian experiences, and lessons with top riders, a prize draw following its popularity at Badminton and a fundraising course walk with New Zealand 5* eventer Jesse Campbell.
Bids close at 8pm on Wednesday 10 September and can be made online here.
“We hope the eventing community and beyond will continue to support the Georgie Campbell Foundation so that we can help improve cross-country safety and pay it forward to aspiring young event riders for many years to come,” added Jesse.
Main image of Georgie Campbell riding Global Candy Boy at Millstreet International Horse Trials in 2022 © Libby Law Photography
