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BEMA Bulletin - Issue 2

Danielle Longotano

Welcome to the second issue of the BEMA Bulletin, a very busy one indeed as you’d expect in an Olympic summer.  The aim? To produce a quarterly newsletter with BEMA committee updates, news about members, new member information, any info from shows and riders you may have missed - generally content to enhance your BEMA membership. It won’t be a directory of names and numbers, or event PR. You can get that elsewhere.

Thanks for all the positive feedback on issue 1. Enjoy reading it, and do send any tidbits or useful  information for other BEMA members to me, charles@charlesruncie.co.uk.

BRAVO, BOLESWORTH 

A number of BEMA members enjoyed a day out last month at the Bolesworth International horse show near Chester, including a chat with Show Director Nina Barbour. The venue is quite some place, which Nina’s poured a lot of her energy not to say a lot of money into. The results are magnificent, with a perfect jumping surface and well-equipped spectator and hospitality areas. 

I met BEMA member and photographer Diane Volpe, asking her for her impressions of both the show – and BEMA itself: “What a wonderful day was had by all at Bolesworth International with BEMA. BEMA is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and has undergone many changes over the past year including a name change and listening to their committee, members and supportive equestrians. 

"I personally have met so many new faces since I joined BEMA, which has created a much wider audience for me. Anyone associated with the media will benefit from joining this forward thinking organisation for just £25 per year. Please contact two members, a proposer and seconder, and if asked sort out a showcase of your work. Promoting equestrian sport is paramount, all equestrian disciplines, from grass roots to the Olympics.”   See Diane’s work at http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/dianevolpephotography

AGRIA ROYAL INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

Press Officer Victoria Goff writes : Media accreditation for the Agria Royal International Horse Show, 23rd – 28th July,  closes on Friday 19th July. For the first time commercial content creators and online influencers are also invited to apply. This event is your only chance to see British riders compete as a team on home turf, in the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain on Friday 26th July, the first independent Nations Cup to take place at Hickstead for decades. Several Olympic showjumpers are due to compete at this show. 

www.hickstead.co.uk/press-media/press-accreditation/

EVENTING – BEMA INVITATION 

Caroline Moore, founder of the Performance Mentoring Programme (www.performancementoringprogramme.com) which advances the training of young professional riders to excel in Eventing - invites BEMA members  to lunch and an opportunity to meet and watch the riders in training at Lyneham Heath Equestrian, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 6QQ on Wednesday 17th July. For details email cmoorefbhs@gmail.com to reserve a place and enable Caroline to cater accordingly.

OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS

Winnie Murphy from the BEF writes: "Here are the media arrangements for Team GB equestrian teams in Paris. There is an info hub on the BEF website covering both Games with plenty of info to help – timetable, how to watch, rider and horse biog info including personal bests. If there is anything missing, please let us know and we will do our best to add it. We will be updating with more on our para squad in due course. "

Hub link: Overview of the Games - British Equestrian

Winnie will be the Team GB Multi-Sport Media Officer covering equestrian in Paris for the Olympics. She will be onsite from 23 July for the duration, to include Modern Pentathlon. Rachel Dyke and Josie Richards will support from home. 

For the Paralympics, Rachel takes on the Paralympics GB MSMO role for equestrian alongside badminton. She will be onsite from 26 August for the duration and Winnie and Josie will be back up in the UK. 

E | winnie.murphy@teamgb.com or winnie.murphy@bef.co.uk
M | 07809 826842 or 07967 186556 (24/7)

E | Rachel.dyke@bef.co.uk
M | 07583 947665

There is a media WhatsApp group you’re welcome to join where the team will post mixed zone quotes, updates, and news from both Games. https://chat.whatsapp.com/LrTs4Oaxrb7ApHuFkFTrSj.

Daily images will be supplied from the Games for restricted media use for editorial purposes only. We ask you credit British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media. There will be watermarked copies for use on social media. There is currently a selection of images from the Olympic team announcement day including individual headshots, should you need them. Access via: 

URL: www.befpress.co.uk
Password: BEFmedia2024

A reminder of a few Games ‘rules’:

  • Any media approaches/requests for team athletes, grooms, personnel should come via the Media Officer, not directly, please. 
  • Accredited Team GB people cannot function as journalists, be paid for content, or provide exclusive content (interviews, commentaries, or appearances).
  • The IOC has guidelines on the editorial use of Olympic properties by media organisations, please familiarise yourself with them if you’re covering the Games in any media.
  • If you work with athletes and brands, Rule 40 will be in effect during the two Games periods, please make sure you abide by them – Team GB or ParalympicsGB. The BEF comms team has a briefing document to help, please drop them an email if you would like a copy. 

The squad for the Paralympic Games is due to be announced on 18 July, and we will be supporting with images and interviews/audio. 

BLENHEIM HORSE TRIALS – BEMA INVITATION

Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (BPIHT) has kindly invited BEMA members to enjoy a get together at this year’s fixture on Friday, 20 September. The rough outline of the day is: 

  • Meet at 11.30 AT the BPIHT media centre – tour with the press & PR team
  • Meet and greet with Event Director James Gower and Event Organiser Katrina Midgley
  • Tour of the BPIHT/feature course walk with rider
  • Afternoon tea

Numbers will be capped. Please RSVP to April Coate on april@coatepr.com


“A CLEAR ROUND WITH …” 

In each issue we spotlight one of our BEMA members, to find out a little more about them and their equestrian life.  For this issue we travel to Wales and meet equestrian photographer Danielle Longotano, photographed above..  

  • What 3 words describe you? 

 Personable, passionate, creative

  • First horsey memory? 

⁠My parents told me we were going to see a man about a dog when I was about 4.  They took me to our local riding school for a lesson on a flea bitten grey called Dinky. 

  • How and when did you start working in equestrian sport?

⁠I have always had horses, and competed since the age of 4 in all disciplines. I started grooming for a few people, but soon found there weren't enough hours in the day to fit it all in, and I had no time for my own horses. My husband bought me a camera as a wedding present, and I started taking photos of horses, then people offered to pay me to photograph their horses.  It’s grown to be my full-time career. 

  • Favourite memory from our sport?

Watching Milton’s retirement at Olympia, when as a surprise Tina Turner came out and performed whilst John rode round. Olympia was the highlight of the year for a little girl living in on the coast of Pembrokeshire. We would get on a bus at 4am, drive up to London to Olympia, then sing carols on the 5/6 hour journey home.  

  • Name someone you’ve admired in the equestrian world. 

Mary King, for her dedication and hard work coming from a non-horsey family, and making it to the top with home bred horses and owners' horses. Also how she managed home life and riding all the way through with a young family to the present day, where it’s so obvious she is Emily’s number one fan. She has always been so kind, and always takes time for everyone she meets. It seems like she is always smiling and putting the horse first.  

  • What’s your current equestrian work?

 ⁠I currently spend most of my working week at equine events, working on business branding or capturing classic and timeless photography for horse owners and families to cherish. Framing memories that mean so much to the client is a huge part of my day to day. When I’m not behind the camera I’m editing, marketing, taking bookings, building relationships and looking for the next opportunity. 

  • What one change in the sport would you like to see?

In my job you really get to see how much love and care there is for the animal at all levels. This should be portrayed more prevalently, to protect the future of any equestrian sport.

  • Describe life away from collecting rings, media centres and PR releases.

Pretty much horses. I have a home-bred and an ROR at home that I enjoy working with and competing. In the rare time between horses I enjoy spending time with my husband and dog Lily. I also love to cook, so can often be found hosting dinner parties. There is nothing better than home cooked food, drink and good company.  

  • Tell us a little-known fact about yourself.

 I was an international swimmer when I was younger 

  • Who’d play you in a Hollywood movie?

⁠Tough one!  Maybe a young Elizabeth Taylor. I'm thinking National Velvet thoughts! 

www.longotanophotography.co.uk


BEMA CO-OPERATION – A GOOD NEWS STORY

This is a lovely ‘BEMA members support each other’ story from Ruth Gregory at BBC Sport:

I work for the BBC Sport digital team, and in the build-up to Paris have been working alongside BBC Sport senior journalist Katie Falkingham. She’s been assigned to report on the equestrian disciplines, but isn’t horsey, and has been absolutely brilliant in welcoming my ideas. As a result we’ve had a number of original pieces successfully commissioned that otherwise wouldn’t have been. I’d like to thank those who’ve actively collaborated to help me get these commissioned, and in the national press. 

A big thank you to the press team at Kentucky and Michelle Dunn for allowing the photos to be used. This story stayed on the BBC Sport front page alongside global stars Ronnie O’Sullivan and Erling Haaland for the whole of that Monday. 

A team effort from us pitching the idea, to the TV team at Badminton feeding us back to interview and then Badminton’s press office for efficiently providing the photos. A comeback story that would’ve otherwise gone unnoticed, but got an in-depth written piece and then TV footage on the highlights show. 

Luhmuhlen coverage was initially lined-up and ready to go, with a story on a third 5* victory for Ros Canter. But when she dropped out of pole position I had a quick rethink, and successfully managed to get Yaz’s story commissioned instead. A massive, massive thank you to BEMA members Tilly Berendt for sending quotes back to Salford, and Hannah Cole for being awesome and sending another super photograph.

Multiple members within BEMA have been awesome in supporting and contributing to this coverage, real team work.  I really I hope we can continue to keep these kind of stories in the public eye during Paris and beyond. 

Ruth Gregory: gregoryruth36@gmail.com
 

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW – BEMA INVITATION

HOYS has kindly invited BEMA members to the Thursday evening performance on 10th October, with a view to introducing members of the media to HOYS, this year celebrating its 75th Anniversary.  The evening will include:

  • Dinner provided in the VIP hospitality 
  • An exclusive course walk of the iconic Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Championship.

For details and to register your interest please email debra.hargrave@grandstand.co.uk by Monday 9th September.  For further information about the HOYS please visit www.hoys.co.uk.  To keep up to date with the latest news and receive press releases please email Debra Hargrave  debra.hargrave@grandstand.co.uk.


MEMBERSHIP NEWS

A reminder to ensure your membership is up to date – don’t wait until the Christmas scramble then forget. Treasurer Lynne Reid says, “could you remind members to pay their subs.”  The Membership form can be found at www.bema.org.uk.  

JB PROMOTIONS CHANGES TO COATE PR

BEMA member April Coate has been in touch to say that long-standing equestrian PR agency JB Promotions has now been rebranded to Coate PR. Located in Cirencester, April took it over in 2022 from Bridget Jennings. She adds “My email has now changed to april@coatepr.com and our new website is www.coatepr.com  The agency represents brands and events including Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, British Horse Feeds, The Game Fair, The Golden Paste Company and Bicton."


AGM DIARY DATE

It’s never too early to put in your diary that our AGM (11.15 am) and awards lunch (12.30 for 1pm) will once be held at the London International Show, on Wednesday December 18th. Last year’s was excellent, with many new contacts being made by BEMA members.


That’s it for this BEMA Bulletin.  Feel free to send me any comments on it, or anything you think other BEMA members ought to know. The next issue will be around the end of October.

Best wishes

charles@charlesruncie.co.uk

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