Over recent years, the ABRS+ have lobbied on behalf of their members, and the riding school industry as a whole, to understand and reduce the huge business rates that are applied to these business premises. The COVID-19 pandemic has simultaneously reinforced the importance of sport, recreation and physical activity to the lives of individuals and communities but also highlighted how easy it can be taken away so it’s important to take swift action to continue to raise these issues.
It was encouraging to see that the ABRS+ was mentioned in a recent Horse & Hound article entitled:
‘You can’t pay bills with love’: the business of keeping horses must be made viable
A British Equestrian (BEF) spokesman told H&H industry viability is something the BEF has been working on with the British Horse Society, Association of British Riding Schools, Pony Club and Riding for the Disabled, as well as the EEA and BGA for some time – and that Sport England has found that the current economic situation is having a negative impact across sport and physical activity.
“Wages is one element but when you add running cost increases, declining facilities through lack of investment and so on, it is a concern,” she said.
“Via our ‘health of riding schools’ work and the insight it’s provided over two years, we’ve been working with member bodies in trying to support with wider education. As an example, we funded a session looking at income diversification through setting up CIC arms alongside the more traditional sole trader model so they can generate more income through grants. Through the survey and feedback, centres told us what help they need and we’re working to deliver that with member bodies.
“This work focuses on riding schools but our participation team will continue to work with member bodies on the wider concerns. We all want the equestrian sector to be a rewarding place to work in a variety of roles, and will continue to do what we can through support and education for employers and workers.”
The BEF agreed for some funding for ABRS+ CIC Workshop at Grove House Stables. We are planning another CIC workshop at Wellington Riding in Summer 2024.
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As a member dedicated association, the ABRS+ spend a great deal of time and resources on campaigning for riding schools and livery yards.
No better example is made than during the Covid-19 pandemic where the ABRS+ have been undertaking a huge campaign to update, inform and support their member yards with regards to clarification of guidelines, government support and financial assistance.
Below are some of the recent campaigns and actions undertaken by the ABRS+ on behalf of its members:
| INVESTIGATING THE CURRENT ISSUES SURROUNDING THE LICENSING OF EQUESTRIAN ESTABLISHMENTS
Further to new changes brought in to the licensing guidance in February 2022, the ABRS+ have been proactive in supporting their members in understanding and raising points at industry level. This has included lots of work from ABRS+ Director of Member Operations George Baber who created a document outlining these changes and hosted a discussion forum (open to non-members too) to inform and clarify these changes and what they may mean. This meeting brought up further points that were raised in a meeting with key industry figures at the start of March, as well as the George and ABRS+ Trustee and centre owner Paula Leverton of Four Winds Equestrian Centre being included in an article in Horse and Hound referring to the challenges the industry faces with these licensing concerns. George and ABRS+ Chair Jane Williams also met with British Equestrian CEO Jim Eyre, and Winnie Murphy British Equestrian Head of Communications on Friday 4 Mar 22 to discuss the issues identified by Members on Council Licensing.
| ABRS+ BATTLING BUSINESS RATES
| FUNDRAISING TO SAVE FAILING RIDING SCHOOLS
In an attempt to support desperate riding schools survive the most recent lockdown, the ABRS+ set up a Go Fund Me fundraising page to help raise funds to support riding schools in need to survive as best as possible until lockdown restrictions are lifted.
|ABRS CAMPAIGNING IN THE MEDIA
The ABRS+ have been campaigning hard behalf of members during recent lockdown restrictions to highlight the difficulties faces by equestrian establishments; Since the start of 2021, The ABRS+ have featured on BBC Television and Radio and in print in Your Horse, Horse & Rider and Hound and Your Horse. We are working to raise awareness of the financial difficulties Riding Schools in particular face and campaigning for increased support from the Government.
|RIDING SCHOOL SUPPORT DURING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS:
As part of the ABRS campaign for increased support for riding schools and a change in restrictions to allow them to trade, Jane Williams (ABRS Chair) wrote to the Prime Minister and her local MP – Jeremy Quin. This included subsequent acknowledgment from the DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) and DEFRA confirming the available support.
|COVID-19 RESOURCES FROM THE ABRS+:
During the heigh of the pandemic, the ABRS created and provided a range of resources to help our members and non-members exit lockdown safely and ensure the continued safety of their staff, clients and volunteers. As equestrian businesses enter the transition phase it is important for centres and yards to reassure clients that their facilities are a safe place to visit and that the correct measures and protocols are in place.
We created and published an ABRS accredited Certificated E-Learning Course on Safe Working Practices and Exiting Lockdown for centre owners and their staff. The online e-learning course assisted equestrian centre owners and their staff to ensure that they are fully prepared and feel confident in the transition phase.
The Covid-19 Risk Assessment is specifically created for exiting lockdown to enable you to plan how you can run your riding centres whilst minimising risks of infection for clients and staff and is still available to download from the members area.
