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Removing barriers to encourage disabled people to ride horses

Autumn 2013 will see the launch of Accessibility Mark, a unique pilot project that aims to increase participation opportunities in horse riding for disabled people. Mainstream riding centres are being encouraged to attain this new accreditation that seeks to offer positive, integrated riding experiences to those with disabilities. The venture, delivered by the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in partnership with the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) legacy programme,  has been made possible thanks to Sport England funding.

Accessibility Mark recognises the high demand for horse riding provision in England for disabled people; research shows that many more disabled people would like to ride than currently have the facility to do so. Having the choice to take part through an RDA group or to ride at an approved centre gives disabled people more choice to participate in horse riding in the way that’s right for them.

Talking about the new project Ed Bracher, CEO of Riding for the Disabled Association, commented:

“We are really excited about the launch of the Accessibility Mark.  It will enable more people to have access to riding and to high quality support and coaching. Equestrianism in the UK leads the world in terms of providing access to the sport as both a competitive activity and as a simple form of exercise and therapy; this new product will ensure that this continues and that we are able involve more and more people.”

Riding has been shown to be effective both as a therapy and an enjoyable leisure activity for people with a wide range of impairments. RDA research conducted in 2013 tracked the therapeutic outcomes of its activities highlighting that 80% of riders surveyed experienced physical improvement, 90% demonstrated growing confidence and enjoyment and 82% demonstrated improved communication skills from equestrianism.

Equestrian is a fully integrated sport where disabled and non-disabled participants are able to compete side by side through British Dressage, British Showjumping, British Carriage driving and Endurance GB, the national governing bodies for these horse sports. This inclusive stance is also taken internationally; in 2006 the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) became the first, and is still the only, International Federation to govern and regulate a sport for both the able bodied and disabled athletes.

Sophie Wells, Paralympic Team Gold and double Individual Silver medallist at the London 2012 Games is in full support of the project.

“I never think of myself as having a disability; I think this is the same for a lot of people and the feeling of being labelled can be off putting when taking part in new things.  Accessibility Mark means that anyone can go into any riding centre and get involved in horse riding without making them feel different. Riding has given me something to focus on, more confidence in my everyday life and a group of friends outside my normal social circles. The mark will encourage people into the sport and let disabled and able bodied people ride in the same place, integrating our sport even more at the grassroots level.”

The project also has the support of the British Horse Society (BHS), the Association of British Riding School (ABRS) and The Pony Club (TPC) who will look to offer Accessibility Mark to their own affiliated schools and centres. 

Interested in riding? Click here to find out more.