The British Eventing Support Trust is delighted to announce that Jane Holderness-Roddam CVO CBE has joined the charity as a trustee. 

The charity was founded in 2021 to provide financial and practical support for British Eventing members who compete in a prompt and sympathetic manner, through difficult times resulting from an eventing accident or mental health issues. The British Eventing Support Trust also works to promote, research, develop and implement initiatives that will maintain the safety of the sport and the welfare of riders.

Jane is a British event rider who enjoyed a highly successful career at the very top of the sport. She won the Badminton Horse Trials in 1968 and 1978, topped the table at Burghley Horse Trials in 1976 and competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, winning team gold for Great Britain and becoming the first woman from any country to win an eventing gold medal. She has also written more than 20 books about equestrianism.

Jane comments: “Eventing has been a huge part of my life for many years, and I’m pleased to be able to support a charity looking after the riders who make the sport what it is. Horses are an extraordinary leveler and accidents can happen to anyone, so we want to ensure British Eventing riding members know that they can access help if they need it, no matter what level they ride at. I look forward to helping the British Eventing Support Trust evolve with a clear strategic vision for the future and ensuring we can support even more riders over the coming years.”

The Chair of the Trustees Ian Stark added: “Jane is a true legend of the sport, so we’re thrilled to have her on board. Her expertise, position and experience will be invaluable as we look to the next five to 10 years and what we want to achieve. The British Eventing Support Trust is growing, and we’re excited to be working towards a position where we can help all riding members who need our support.”

Jane joins a list of other influential names in the eventing and wider equestrian sporting community who give their time to shape the British Eventing Support Trust. 

Fellow trustee Ian Barrett also joined the charity in 2023 and is helping to shape strategy and aims for the future. Ian is a Partner at an international law firm which sees him representing a number of the world’s leading private equity firms. 

Learn more about the British Eventing Support Trust here: https://besupporttrust.org.uk