Bishop Burton College to host major international sporting event in run up to London 2012

publication date: Jan 8, 2009
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It is hoped that the events will raise the College's Amy Young on Whitewell Tribunal
profile at home and abroad and in turn enhance the reputation of the region as a serious sporting venue. Being selected as host for these two prestigious events will also increase the College's chances of being chosen as a training base for one of the equestrian teams for London 2012.

The College was approved as a training camp earlier this year and the brand new Bishop Burton Arena, part of the College's extensive equestrian unit, was opened by HRH The Princess Royal last month.

College principal Jeanette Dawson is delighted with these latest developments. She said:
"Playing host to these fantastic events gives the College the chance to show off its magnificent facilities, and further improve the standard of our own competitions. We hope in turn that securing these events will attract more sporting activity to the area in the run up to the Olympic Games and will show our students how international competitions are run."

The Pony European Championships will involve show jumping, dressage and eventing and will utilise the Colleges existing cross country courses. The competition will take place from the 27th July - 1st August 2010. This Year's championships were held in Switzerland, and Poland will host the 2009 event.

The College put a bid in for the Championship with the support of British Eventing regional director Chris Shaw, who oversees the College's bi-annual affiliated Horse Trials.

He said: "It is fantastic news that Bishop Burton College has been awarded the FEI Pony European Championships in 2010. It has been a pleasure to work with the team at the College to secure the Championships and it was particularly gratifying that such an influential bid was compiled.

"The College's recent redevelopment has provided the ideal platform from which to attract a major equestrian event, as Bishop Burton is able to offer the high quality facilities that are required to support a major Championship. With the on-site accommodation, catering and infrastructure that are needed; together with the superb specialist equestrian facilities that will also be in place."