Posted on 22nd October 2026
We are delighted to share that three initiatives involving the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS+) have been recognised in the National Equine Welfare Council’s Strategic Goal Recognition Awards 2026.
Presented at NEWC’s Annual General Meeting on 17 September, the awards celebrate outstanding achievements by individuals, organisations and teams working to improve the lives of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across the UK.
The recognition highlights ABRS+’s commitment to putting equine welfare at the heart of riding school education, promoting best practice and working collaboratively across the equestrian sector.
The ABRS+ Equicentric Futures Schools Welfare Project was recognised for its pioneering work to embed welfare-centred practices within riding schools through education, collaboration and youth engagement.
The BEF Qualification Development Group, which includes British Dressage, British Showjumping, The Pony Club, ABRS+ and other organisations, was highly commended in the Collaboration and Sector Engagement Award category. The group was recognised for its collaborative work to redevelop equestrian coaching qualifications and embed equine welfare throughout the coaching journey.
ABRS+ and Equicentric Futures were highly commended in the Education and Best Practice Award category for applying equitation science and practical welfare science within riding schools. Their work helps translate principles such as the Five Domains Model into education and practice.
These recognitions celebrate the value of collaboration, education and evidence-based approaches in improving equine welfare. ABRS congratulates everyone recognised in the awards and is proud to contribute to initiatives helping to shape a more welfare-centred future for the equestrian sector.
