British Eventing (BE) has rebranded the Equine Affairs Grasshopper Series as the BE Jump Training Series.
The series, which has been running under the Grasshopper brand for eight years, is aimed at riders starting eventing or competing up to BE100 (pre-novice).
A BE spokesman said Equine Affairs was unable to provide the level of sponsorship required by BE.
Isla Boxall-Loomes, PR assistant at BE said: “All that has changed is the name. The competitions will run under exactly the same format.”
A spokesman for Equine Affairs said: “We have been aware that the series did not earn enough return for BE, and that they wished to make it more commercial.
“The figure for sponsorship for the new series is out of our range of investment. We are disappointed and surprised…but wish BE the best of luck.”
The competition is split into three phases: a conducted course walk, a guided warm-up session and two rounds of competition judged on style and performance, with advice and feedback from a BE-accredited coach.
From Valentine’s Day, there will be 10 qualifying competitions with the top eight from each BE90 (intro) and BE100 class going through to the final.
Riders must be over 12 years old, and horses/ponies must be at least 142cms and aged four or over.
Cost: £30 for members; £34 for non-members.
The dates are:
14 Feb Hartpury College, Gloucestershire, GL19 3BE
17 Feb Wellington Riding, Hampshire, RG27 0LJ
27 Feb Bishop Burton College, E.Yorks, HU17 8QG
7 Mar Osbaldeston Riding Centre, Lancs, BB2 7LZ
29 Mar Solihull EC, W.Mids B93 8QE
5 Apr Askham Bryan College, York YO23 3FR
6 Apr SNEC, W.Lothian EH52 6NH
10 Apr Forest Gate Farm, Cheshire WA6 6NF TBC
13 Apr MK Eventing Centre Bucks MK19 7HQ
17 Apr Ebbesbourne Wake HT Wilts
26 Apr SERIES FINAL Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell, CV35 9BL
