British Eventing formerly known as the British Horse Trials Association (BHTA), is the Great Britain

Great Britain

Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...

 governing body for the equestrian

Equestrianism

Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...

 sport of eventing

Eventing

Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...

, which combines a single rider and horse pairing competing in dressage

Dressage

Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...

, showjumping and cross country

Cross-country equestrianism

Cross country equestrian jumping is an endurance test, and is one of the three phases of the sport of eventing; it may also be a competition in its own right, known as hunter trials or simply "cross-country" - these tend to be lower level, local competitions.The object of the endurance test is to...

. The organisation both regulates the sport and organises nearly 200 affiliated events across the country. In Great Britain, the eventing season runs from March to October every year, weather conditions permitting.

British Eventing is responsible for Team GB selection for the Olympics and other international events. It forms part of the national umbrella body, the British Equestrian Federation

British Equestrian Federation

The British Equestrian Federation is the national governing body of equestrian sport in Great Britain and represents the country at the International Federation for Equestrian Sports .-Purpose:...

. Based at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, it has over 11000 members.

History

The organisation changed its name at the start of 2001, as the term 'horse trials' was gradually being replaced across the globe. Eventing combines three phases: dressage

Dressage

Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...

, showjumping and cross country

Cross-country equestrianism

Cross country equestrian jumping is an endurance test, and is one of the three phases of the sport of eventing; it may also be a competition in its own right, known as hunter trials or simply "cross-country" - these tend to be lower level, local competitions.The object of the endurance test is to...

.

Governance

BE consists has a Board and a Sports Committee responsible for such areas as major events, rules, training, safety and team selection. The body also employs four regional directors, each responsible for the events that take place in their respective geographical areas. The current chairman is Alexandra Fox. The management comprises Mike Etherington Smith, who is the Chief Executive, Mike Barnes the Marketing & Commercial Director and Wendy McGowan the Finance Director.

Since the change of name in 2001, the organisation has worked to expand the appeal of the sport and teach those wanting to compete and understand the sport.