New eventing post for Olympian Chris Hunnable

The appointment was effective at the beginning of the month. The Sports Committee's responsibilities include rules, training, performance, safety and fixtures.

"This is an exceptionally important committee at the very heart of the sport and I am delighted that Chris is taking on the role of Chairman," Mike Etherington-Smith said. "His experience in the sport as a rider and an organizer combined with his business background gives him a superb insight in to the issues that the Sport Committee has to consider."

The move also allows Etherington-Smith to concentrate on developing the business plan and direction of British Eventing as well as realigning the structures and operating procedures that started in 2009.

Hunnable has a long association with the sport and the equestrian world which started with showjumping and working hunter ponies at an early age. At 18 he trained with Richard Meade OBE and fell in love with eventing. He has been competing ever since, and in the past 27 years has ridden in more than 50 international events and represented Great Britain in Atlanta at the 1996 Olympics.

Hunnable was also was responsible for running the day to day business at Towerlands Equestrian Centre which was established by his parents. He also ran several successful horse trials and served on the Sport Horse of Great Britain board for four years.

For the past five years, Hunnable has been running an investment company trading in financial markets with his good friend, dressage rider Robin Hudson. In addition to this, Chris is also a Sport Horse Hunter judge.

"I am incredibly excited about the prospect of this role and really pleased to be invited. I hope that I can achieve and give the time and effort back to a sport that I owe so much to and love so much," he said.