Equestrian Legacy Plans unveiled at Olympia

The British Equestrian Federation [BEF] unveiled its London 2012 Hoof Legacy plans at the London International Horse Show, Olympia, on Friday 16 December.

The BEF were joined by key figures from the sporting landscape, Jennie Price, CEO of Sport England and Tim Hadaway, Equestrian Competition Manager for LOCOG, as well as riding centre proprietors and benefactors of the hoof legacy projects to date.

The presentation looked at legacy success achieved in the sport and unveiled exciting new developments to come, one of which is the launch of a new online ‘one-stop-shop’ portal in the New Year.

The online portal, which will go live in January 2012, will house information that can assist any ability of rider, from beginner through to seasoned professional, in helping to locate information about the sport - from volunteering, coaching or horse ownership, through to how you go about choosing the right riding centre for you or what to wear to your first lesson.

As well as signposting visitors to specific information, the portal will feature a ‘where to ride’ page, which will list riding centres throughout England in a bid to get more people off the sofa and into the saddle.

Andrew Finding, Chief Executive of the British Equestrian Federation commented; "I am delighted we have been able to launch the legacy at Olympia. There’s a great deal that is being done but what’s so important is that our legacy is seen to be broadly based and for the benefit of our industry as a whole.

Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England added; "Next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games presents us with an amazing opportunity to inspire more people to play sport. The British Equestrian Federation has really seized this opportunity and is putting in place strong plans to ensure they truly do deliver a lasting equestrian legacy beyond London 2012."

Also launching in the New Year is the first in a line of Hoof products - Take Back the Reins. The initiative is specifically designed to be easily accessible and inspire confidence and is suitable for those who may have ridden in the past as well as those new to the sport.

It involves a series of once per week riding lessons designed to support the rider through the initial steps to regular riding. The customer focussed experience is tailored to suit individual needs and the aim is for the rider to develop sufficient skills, whatever their starting level of ability, to be able to enjoy riding in open countryside. Along the way a participant should also improve their fitness and confidence as well as discover how enjoyable and affordable horse riding can be as a sport.

Piloted in seven centres during the autumn, the programme will be open for centres to register their interest to take part from 1 January 2012. Self confessed sports fan Ruth Vasse took part in the programme, delivered by Vauxhall City Farm and Park Lane Stables, and commented on her experience; "Returning to riding was something I fancied doing anyway, but Take Back the Reins really gave me the incentive to do so. It was an opportunity to combine fitness and being outdoors with getting to know new people. Getting to know different horses and what makes them tick is very similar to working with people; we have our own little quirks and preferences, just like horses."