25-year-old Wiltshire based eventing rider, Ollie Thompson has become the inaugural Georgie Campbell Foundation award recipient.
The Foundation, set up in memory of the late Georgie Campbell, who died in a cross country fall in 2024, chose Ollie after an extensive review of the 60+ applications and interviewing eight short-listed candidates. At the end of the day, it was Ollie that won over the panel of Jesse Campbell, Georgie’s husband and 5* rider, Jonelle Price, 5* eventing rider, and entrepreneur and business owner, Dr Catharine Denning.
“He demonstrates a lot of the attributes that we felt were in line with ‘a young Georgie’” said Dr Catharine Denning “Ollie conveyed a strong work ethic, positive mindset, and real love for his horses and the sport of eventing. We therefore think he makes the perfect first Georgie Campbell Foundation beneficiary and are looking forward to seeing his journey unfold with the Foundation’s support.”
Ollie, who competes up to 4* with his top horse, Lagans Rice Star, says “I’m excited and grateful to have been selected as the first Georgie Campbell Foundation beneficiary. It’s such an amazing opportunity for me to grow my business and be able to reach my full potential. I’m keen to start learning from everyone involved, pushing myself this season and next, and making the most of all the support and opportunities ahead. I would like to thank the committee, and all involved for putting their faith in me moving forward.”
For the remainder of the 2026 eventing season and all the 2027 season, Ollie will receive bursary support, mentoring, and training from the Georgie Campbell Foundation and a carefully curated group of specialists.
Support will be uniquely tailored to him, structured around the development of an individual performance and business plan. Focus areas will include business planning, financial management, attracting and retaining owners and sponsors, social media marketing, and managing staff, as well as identifying and working with talented young horses.
Eventing riders of all nationalities, including those affiliated with any national team, who are registered with BE, have competed at 3* level, and have an early-stage eventing business were encouraged to apply for the Bursary with applicants asked to demonstrate their requirement for support, ambition to progress, and alignment with Georgie and the Foundation’s core values of loving horses and the eventing community, determination, resilience, and kindness. A preference was given to those who had not received substantial previous financial support or benefitted from programmes such as Great Britain’s World Class Programme.
The Georgie Campbell Foundation says it would like to thank everyone who applied and urges anyone that wasn’t successful this time or feels inspired to apply for the next round.
You can follow the Georgie Campbell Foundation on Instagram and Facebook and visit the Georgie Campbell Foundation website to keep up to date with Ollie’s progress and news of the second application window
