3 - 6 September 2026

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3archive054 1965 Miss J Syme riding Burning Grass Copyright Cyril E2 Diamond

Bill Thomson Bursary

Bill Thomson pioneered cross-country design in Britain, establishing many of the methods still used today while his flair for creating challenging yet fair obstacles remains the inspiration for the sport’s leading designers worldwide.

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Aims

Following his death in 1993, the Bill Thomson Bursary was established to help new course-builders and designers learn their craft and to ensure continual safety developments.

The Bursary has helped more than 20 names become British Eventing-approved cross-country course-builders and designers, at all levels.

The Bursary aims to support training and development to all cross-country course-builders, designers and technical officials.

Role

The Bill Thomson Bursary focuses on two main areas:

  1. The awarding of financial bursaries to candidates to assist them in their training and development in their respective roles
  2. Facilitating role-specific training at subsidised rates through the bursary.
Archive116 1976 Jane Holderness Roddam riding Warrior Copyright Cyril E Diamond

Governance

The Bursary will be managed by a committee of experienced equestrian experts, headed by Adrian Ditcham – British Eventing Course-Designer, Builder and Technical Adviser, FEI Course-Designer, Member of British Eventing Sport Team, and Martyn Johnson – British Eventing Technical Adviser, FEI Technical Delegate, Burghley Horse Trials Director, Member of the FEI Eventing Committee.

Financial Bursary Process

  1. Applicants will be required to complete an initial online form and provide an up-to-date CV and overview of their experience.
  2. Submission of proposed training and development and the mentor they would like to be able to work with.
  3. The committee will consider all applications and agree in principle on the level of financial assistance to be awarded.
  4. The Bursary will be awarded upon evidence of training and development and feedback from applicant and mentor.

Training

The Bursary will consider specific training sessions and workshops aimed at course-designers, builders and technical officials to enhance knowledge across all roles and promote safety and innovation.

The aim would be to offer subsidised rates for candidates through the Bursary.

Application

To apply for the Bill Thomson Bursary, please click here.