BE Organiser and Yard Manager, Steph Buchanan, steps in front of the camera to thank the community that made this year’s event possible, and gives a preview of big plans for the 25th anniversary.
It’s rare to catch Steph Buchanan on camera. The BE Organiser and Yard Manager of Bovington Equestrian Centre is the kind of person who prefers to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes, quietly juggling an extraordinary number of responsibilities so that everyone else can enjoy the day. But this time, she had something important to say.
“I wanted to thank all of the people that have come together in the local community,” Steph said, singling out Julian Cranton, who arrived with a tractor at short notice to help prepare the ground, and Ben Gibbons from Knighton Countryside, who came in at around eight hours’ notice to carry out groundwork at the back of the course. “He did an amazing job,” Steph added.
“It’s not just putting the event together, it’s everything else that we have to do as well.”
The gratitude extended far wider, to liveries, clients, and the Pony Club members who have collectively contributed many hours of volunteer time over the past two to three months. Jump painting, course preparation, logistics — none of it happens without a small army of willing hands.
What makes Bovington’s story particularly remarkable is the sheer scale of what runs alongside the event. The centre is home to 70 horses and 80 Pony Club children, with regular adult tuition, upcoming BHS exams for staff, and the full day-to-day demands of running a working yard. Sarah Wilkinson has managed competitor deployment and communications, while Steph’s long-term colleague Sue — with whom she has now worked for 24 years, helps hold everything together.
Looking ahead to year 25
- A new cross-country route is being planned with course designer and builder Adrian Ditcham, who has worked with Bovington since its very first event
- The course has followed its current direction for four years; the 25th anniversary is the moment to go out “with a bit of a bang”
- A new rubber surface for the all-weather school is due to be laid following the BE in October — a six-week installation window was required
Steph first met Adrian Ditcham at Lulworth Horse Trials, when he was just starting out as a course builder. They have worked together ever since, a relationship that mirrors the wider sense of long-term loyalty and community that defines Bovington.
As for what she loves most about organising? Once the stewards and Technical Adviser have completed their checks, Steph says the pressure lifts and the day takes on its own rhythm. “You can sort of sit back and watch the day unfold.” She particularly values the chance for younger riders to see professionals compete on young horses, and the way volunteering becomes part of how a new generation learns what it means to be part of the sport.
If you haven’t visited Bovington, there is a full programme of training and clinics throughout the season. Steph, as ever, will be on site.
Interview by Sam Lewis