The future of the South West’s leading event centre, Bicton Arena has been secured by husband-and-wife team, Helen West and Andrew Fell who will jointly take the reins of the prestigious equestrian venue that offers a range of training and competition opportunities.

Helen and Andrew are synonymous with the venue’s popularity and success and have quite an esteemed equestrian background, so are perfect to be taking on this challenge. 

Helen rode professionally for many years, competing in eventing up to CCI5* level, dressage up to Prix St Georges level, and show jumping up to 1.50m level. She represented the British Junior & Young Rider 3 Day Event Teams as well as the Pony & Junior Dressage Team, achieving Gold at the Young Rider 3 Day Eventing European Championships in 2001. 

Helen worked for Clinton Devon Estates managing Bicton, for 8 years, from 2013 to 2021. Under her stewardship, Bicton progressed from hosting grassroots BE Horse Trials to gaining FEI status and hosting the Bramham 4* and Burghley 5* replacements in 2021 amid the Covid Pandemic, solidifying its position as a premier fixture in the sport.

In 2020, Helen was elected to the Board of British Eventing in a landslide vote by the membership. She assumed the role of CEO for BE in 2021, navigating the organisation through a challenging period and making tough decisions. BE recorded a profit for the first time in 9 years at the end of 2023, validating the hard work invested during her tenure. 

Andrew grew up in Ireland, surrounded by horses. He participated in Pony Club activities, hunting, and some eventing, but he never took a liking to dressage! His family home, Ballindenisk, has a rich history of hosting equestrian competitions, with the first Point to Point held in 1926-27 and the inaugural Horse Trials taking place in 1973. Recognising his aptitude for organising competitions rather than competing in them, Andrew ventured to the UK approximately 22 years ago.

Around a decade ago, Andrew met Helen, and for several years, he was involved in assisting Helen with the management of Bicton. However, in August 2021, just one month before the Burghley replacement event, he assumed Helen's role as Bicton Manager when she departed for British Eventing. This transition proved to be a challenging yet rewarding experience, quite a baptism of fire! Andrew has been overseeing operations at Bicton for over two years on behalf of Clinton Devon Estates. 

We recently spoke to Helen and Andrew about their future at Bicton.

How do you feel about taking over together?

“I’m just hoping I don’t murder him!” Helen teases, “Joking aside, I think the dynamic will work well as it plays to both of our skillsets. Andrew is extremely capable from a site and general risk management perspective and is far happier outside than he is stuck behind a desk. I am better placed to provide strategic oversight and as long as Andrew listens to me, it will be fine!”

Andrew adds “Honestly, it’s a bit daunting. You are judged on your last event and not many truly understand the complexity of running competitions in the UK - everyone has an opinion and when it is negative it can be quite disheartening.”

What are your plans for Bicton?

Andrew begins “We're transforming the May International Horse Trials into a vibrant countryside event showcasing the best of the South West. This year, we're focusing on increasing public attendance and emphasising a family-friendly atmosphere over catering solely to die-hard eventing fans. By teaming up with Bicton Park Gardens and Bicton College, we're expanding our offerings with more family attractions.”

On the competitions being planned, Helen adds “We are very keen to welcome the grassroots competitors back to Bicton Horse Trials mid-season for them to have an opportunity to ride around the cross-country other than at the October International when we host the iconic long-format three-day event at 90 & 100 level. 2024 will also see the introduction of the new GoBE (70cm - 90cm) in August.

We plan to build on the success of the Summer British Showjumping Tour, taking place in July, injecting some innovative new ideas including more fun classes, evening entertainment, and improving catering options for all.”

What do you think will be your biggest challenges? 

“Staying married!” Helen jokes.

“We simply cannot go into this and throw hundreds of thousands at it (although Andrew has promised to search the woods for a money tree!), so it will be challenging to a certain extent managing with what we have there initially and building the business up to enable us to invest back into the facilities.”

Andrew comments, “The biggest challenge I feel is to create a sound business plan. Equestrian sport is truly unique - big prize money is a draw not only for the competitors but also for the spectators. You wouldn’t watch someone putt a ball on the 18th hole for £50 but you probably would do if £5 million was at stake. This big prize money only comes when you have a huge number of spectators and fans allowing you, as an organiser, to get the big sponsorship deals. 

I think the biggest challenge is “selling” our sport to more people and to do this we, all equestrians, need to work together to do this within the social license.”

What are the highlights for this year and what are you most looking forward to?

Helen says, “The May International Horse Trials will be a real highlight being an Olympic year and the CCI4*-S set to be a who’s who of Olympic hopefuls. I am very much looking forward to designing the tracks for this event, in particular setting appropriate questions for the National Young Rider Championships which run at the CCI3*-L level as well as what is set to be a star-studded field in the CCI4*-S.”

“I am really looking forward to the October Horse Trials,” adds Andrew, “It is the only affiliated long format 3 day event in the UK and it is the best way to end an eventing season. The event is 5 days of madness, friendship and as we have had rain for the last 5 years, we must have a dry one this year!”

Visit the website www.bicton.com to keep up to date with all the latest news and updates and to buy your tickets for the Bicton May International Horse Trials (23-26 May).