altPETER DURRANT, the chief executive of British Eventing, has been made redundant and is to step down at the end of the month despite the sport enjoying an increasingly high profile thanks to Zara Phillips (pictured).

 

After extensive consultation, the board of British Eventing has decided to implement the third phase of its current restructure plan and appoint a sports director to work alongside the general manger, Terry Bailey, at Stoneleigh.

The sports director will be responsible for overseeing eventing in the field while Bailey will be engaged in finance, administration, marketing and IT.

A spokesman for BE said: "The function of the chief executive has become redundant and after ten years of devoted and loyal service, Peter Durrant has chosen to pursue other interests and will leave on April 30.

 

"The recruitment for the new post is in hand and applications close on April 19."

 

An advert for the new role appeared in the latest issue of Horse & Hound, which was published on Thursday (April 5).

 

Phillips' success last year in winning the World Championship title and being voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year boosted the sport's exposure considerably.