RECREATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE
RIDING
Background
There are nearly 1 million horses in Great Britain and 2.4 million people
ride horses for leisure, either competing in one of the many horse sports,
or simply for fun. Britain stages some of the major international sporting
events such as Badminton Horse Trials and the Horse of the Year Show.
Brief History
People have ridden horses for pleasure for centuries, and riding is as
popular today as it has ever been.
Facilities and Equipment
Those who wish to ride but dont have a horse of their own can ride at
the 3500 riding establishments around the UK. Try to choose one of the
715 that are approved by the British Horse Society for their standards.
Essential equipment is a riding helmet to BSI: PAS015, EN1384 or ASTM
F1163 with a Kitemark or S.E.I. Riders should wear close fitting trousers
or jodhpurs and boots or shoes with a heel.
Benefits of Participating
Riding is great fun, good exercise, and suitable for all ages and abilities.
Men and women, young and old, compete together on equal terms. Leisure
riding and competitions take place in some of the most beautiful countryside
in Britain. Riders enjoy making friends, character building, community
benefits, wonderful challenges and pure sporting fun associated with the
horse.
Variations of the Sport
Equestrian sporting competitions include show jumping, eventing, dressage,
endurance riding, horse driving trials, equestrian vaulting and reining
(or western riding).
Contact Details
The British Equestrian Federation is the Governing Body of horse sports
in the UK, recognised by the Government and Sports Councils. The Federation
represents and coordinates the major policy interests of common concern
to its 12 Member Bodies: British Show Jumping Association, British Eventing,
British Dressage, The British Horse Society, The Pony Club, British Equestrian
Vaulting, British Reining Horse Association, Endurance GB, British Horse
Driving Trials Association, British Equestrian Trade Association, Scottish
Equestrian Association and Association of British Riding Schools. Through
these members the BEF represents over 165,000 recreational and competition
riders.
British Equestrian Federation
NAC, Stoneleigh Park,
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2RH
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The Pony Club
NAC, Stoneleigh Park,
Recreational Riding
The British Horse Society
Stoneleigh Deer Park,
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2XZ
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Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2RW
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Eventing three sports in one
British Eventing
NAC, Stoneleigh Park,
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2RH
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Show Jumping power, speed and control
British Show Jumping Association,
NAC, Stoneleigh Park,
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2LR
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Dressage poetry in motion
British Dressage
NAC, Stoneleigh Park,
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2RJ
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Horse Driving Trials fast paced, water splashing fun the ultimate
horsepower
British Horse Driving Trials Association
Deer Park Business Centre
Stoneleigh Deer Park
Stareton
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2LY
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Endurance the marathon on horseback
Endurance GB
NAC, Stoneleigh Park
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2RP
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Vaulting - Gymnastics on a cantering horse
British Equestrian Vaulting
47 Manderley Close
Eastern Green
Coventry
CV5 7NR
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Reining Western riding in traditional cowboy regalia
British Reining Horse Association
Nashes Farm,
South Godstone,
Surrey
RH9 8LY
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