Mike Etherington-Smith is to stand down from his position as chief executive of British Eventing (BE).
Tough decision
Mike will leave next spring in order to spend more time designing cross-country courses.
“It’s no secret that my first love is being out and about on cross-country courses and I have been offered some more designing opportunities, including at the Adelaide four-star in Australia,” he said.
“It was a really tough decision to leave BE, but I feel that now is a good time for someone else to take over the reins.
Outstanding job
Before taking on the position with BE in 2009, Mike was event director at Blenheim and Chatsworth. He also designed the cross-country courses at the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games and at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
BE chairman Hugh Thomas said Mike has done an “outstanding job” and will be missed by the organisation.
The position will be advertised in due course.