Eventing

“A big step in the right direction”: Tri-Star Grand Slam Launches

29th January 2016

Last night’s launch of the ‘winner-takes-all’ Shearwater Insurance Tri-Star Grand Slam was hugely well received from the assembled guests not just because of the tempting £50,000 for any rider who can win three of the five CIC3* events, but also because of the commitment to the sport in both raising the profile of eventing and creating an opportunity for both amateur and aspiring riders.

Explaining how the new initiative will work, which sees Alec Lochore of Musketeer Event Management and Stuart Buntine of BEDE Events join forces for this exciting new CIC3* Grand Slam, Alec Lochore said last night:

“We want to bring profile to the sport, and we want to reward riders and owners with the money that they deserve for being involved in our sport. We know it is expensive, we know the returns are not what they should be, and this is a big step in the right direction.”

Jeremy Lawton, Managing Director of Shearwater Insurance, is a long-standing supporter of eventing, Shearwater Insurance famously owning 2004 individual Olympic gold medal winning Shear l’Eau as well as his 2000 Olympic team silver medal winning brother Shear H2O.

Jeremy’s in-depth knowledge of the sport ranges from horses starting out at their first events to those tackling the biggest competitions on the circuit.

“This idea came to me, not off my own back, but via Cathy Butler, Chair Lady of the EHOA, and with Stuart, to set up a scheme, which I think is a fabulous idea.

Having been an owner for quite some years now and benefitted from great success, we have been very conscious of the fact that there has not been enough money in the sport, which is a demanding sport, and also the costs keep increasing.

We felt we were well placed to understand the requirements.”

Swedish eventer, Ludwig Svennerstal who was there both as a rider and also as a representative from ERA, said:

“We are absolutely delighted for this new initiative and think that this will bring the sport forward. We feel it is what has been missing in England: it will create excitement and is a perfect example of the way sponsors and organisers can work together for the sports’ development…I myself am really looking forward to the £50,000!”

All eyes will be on the riders at Burnham Market in April to see the competition get underway.