A Review commissioned by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has recommended that unless the BEF implements reforms during the next Olympic cycle, UK Sport and Sport England would be entitled to withdraw funding. The BEF appointed Sport Resolutions to compile the report in July last year, following the the resignation of CEO Clare Salmon, amid allegations of bullying, elitism and self-interest which she argued had made her job untenable.

The main reforms it recommends are as follows:

• A properly defined and stakeholder-accepted role for the BEF;
• The appointment of a strong leader who also understands the ‘traditional world of equestrianism’;
• Removal of the power of veto, in practical terms, held by the BEF founding members over the leadership of the BEF;
• The implementation of good governance procedures;
• The creation and implementation of whistleblowing policies;
• Adoption of a BEF Code of Conduct.

The Review (PDF below) found that ‘certain actions during the Relevant Period can in the Panel’s opinion be objectively viewed as bullying, elitist, and arising from self-interest but not corruption’. It found that having appointed Salmon as CEO to make changes, certain ‘senior figures’ within the BEF undermined her position.

It found that the BEF board and UK Sport supported Salmon’s new vision for the BEF. However, ‘the pace of the proposed changes, poor communication at times, and the then BEF Chief Executive being perceived as an outsider to equestrianism’ led to certain BEF member bodies becoming suspicious of her proposals and, ultimately, opponents of the proposals.

The Review found that Salmon was given an ultimatum at a 12 July meeting last year. The member bodies told the BEF that Salmon was to be dismissed or placed on garden leave, or they would not engage in discussing the mandatory Sports Governance Code (click here to download), which would jeopardise the BEF’s future funding. The Code was published in November 2016, and set transparency, accountability and financial integrity standards that UK sporting bodies who wish to continue receiving government and National Lottery Funding must meet.

It has been reported that unless the BEF implements the reforms suggested in the Review, it will lose £20 million in funding. This is because the Review sets out that UK Sport has awarded equestrianism £19.6 million over the four-year Tokyo 2020 Olympics cycle (2017-2020).