Guide for Hosting a Speaker Event

We Are All In This Together

The mission of the Kevin Babington Foundation is to provide funding and support for show jumping athletes who sustain spinal injuries. Founded in 2019 following the life-altering accident of beloved Olympian Kevin Babington, the foundation has since grown to assist several other athletes facing similar challenges. Beyond financial support, the foundation is dedicated to promoting education and awareness among riders, trainers, and event coordinators by sharing the latest safety protocols aimed at reducing the risk of serious injuries in the sport.

One of the most impactful initiatives of the foundation is the Babington Benefit Class. Horse shows that choose to participate select one jumper class to serve as their Babington Benefit Class, with all or a portion of the entry fees donated directly to the foundation. This collaborative effort from the show jumping community has allowed the foundation to maintain a high standard of care and support for the athletes it serves.

We Want YOU to Join Us

Show jumping is a high-risk sport, and sadly, it’s not a question of if—but when—someone in our community will suffer a catastrophic injury. The Kevin Babington Foundation must be ready to respond swiftly when that moment comes. That’s where your support makes a difference. We encourage you to join our mission by hosting a Babington Benefit Class at your show. Here’s how it works…

What is a KBF Speaker Event?

In 2025, the Kevin Babington Foundation introduced a new initiative focused on equestrian mental performance: the KBF Speaker Event. A pilot event was successfully hosted during WEF 2025, featuring a professional mental performance coach. In partnership with the horse show, KBF handled ticketing, marketing, and event branding, while the show provided the venue, seating, audiovisual support, and refreshments. The result was a powerful and inspiring gathering that drew over 100 attendees and raised more than $15,000 for the foundation. Following this success, the Speaker Event is now poised to become a cornerstone of KBF’s broader mission to support equestrian athletes’ overall well-being.

KBF Speaker Event Structure

The Speaker Event is designed to be simple, engaging, and impactful. It is typically held during a selected week of the horse show, often on a Thursday or Friday, with a start time between 5:00 and 6:00 PM depending on the schedule. The structure includes a 15- to 20-minute introduction, followed by a 45-minute to 1-hour keynote presentation focused on equestrian mental performance. After the keynote, guests can interact directly with the speaker during a networking and discussion segment, creating an inspiring and interactive experience for everyone in attendance.

KBF Venue Requests

To ensure the event runs smoothly, KBF requests several key elements from the hosting horse show. These include a venue space such as a VIP tent or covered area that can accommodate 100 to 300 people, adequate seating for 100 to 250 guests, reliable audiovisual equipment (microphone, speakers, etc.), appropriate lighting for a professional atmosphere, and simple light refreshments to enhance the guest experience. With these elements in place, the event can make a lasting impact on all participants.

KBF Ticketing and Marketing

KBF takes the lead in managing ticketing and event coordination. This includes overseeing all ticket sales, handling guest check-in, and providing a full suite of marketing and promotional materials before and during the event. These materials may include branded writing journals, postcards for upcoming events, and other tools to increase guest engagement. KBF will also share the guest list with the hosting horse show to ensure seamless communication. By managing these responsibilities, KBF delivers a polished, professionally-run event that brings awareness, raises funds, and strengthens community ties in the equestrian world.