Bill Thomson Bursary

The original master craftsman in both building and design was Bill Thomson. In his memory the Bill Thomson Bursary was founded to create a fund to assist with the training of potential cross country course designers and builders. The Bursary is a registered charity and non-profit making organisation and has helped over 20 names become British Eventing approved cross country course designers and builders at all levels.

Bill Thomson understood that to encourage the necessary build up of confidence and experience for the horse and rider, development was needed in both design and building techniques. The Bill Thomson Bursary and British Eventing work hand in hand to broaden the base and understanding of both design and building technique from the grass roots of the sport up to the four star level.

Recently the Bursary has pledged its support to an exciting new joint venture between British Eventing and Hartpury College; the International Academy of Cross Country Build and Design. May 2006 saw the inaugural cross country design course, held at Badminton, for the International Academy. The personnel behind the academy are: Mike Etherington-Smith (Academy Director), Amanda Ward (Executive Administrator), Janet Plant (Development Officer) with Sarah Verney, Andrew Hunter and Sarah Hamlyn making up the team. The Committee managing the Bursary welcome your applications to attend the training that will be provided by the Academy in 2007.

Once again the Bursary is supporting a number of regional training seminars and course walks, open to all, where the expertise of highly respected designers and builders will be used to further develop the skills of those attending. The winter will see several training days, concentrating on the use of frangible pins and the design, building and use of portable cross country fences. The BE magazine and website will have full details of training and initiatives through the Bursary. The Committee managing the Bursary welcome your applications to attend training. Please contact Sarah Hamlyn, BE Training & Development Officer, 02476 698856.

These exciting and important developments need your support and more donations are required. Please forward any contributions to the BE Office, British Eventing, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2RN .