Get more from equestrianism

There are lots of different options once you have started to be involved in equestrian sport, some of these require you have access to a horse whilst others you do not need to have access to a horse or pony.  

progress and diversify your training

If you have a specific goal for your riding or want to generally keep improving yourself and your horse, it's a good idea to continue having regular coaching. There are also many organisations you can join depending on your interest and age, which will open the doors to lots of training opportunities and competitions – some are discipline-specific, while others focus on multiple areas of riding and horse care. A coach can support you and your horse in taking up a new sport or activity, and we recommend you select a qualified coach with a specialism in the sport where you want to progress. These coaches may be based at or visit a centre with facilities, so you may have to travel to them if you don't have suitable facilties at your yard.  Coaches can be found online through the Member Body websites or through the British Horse Society  

Most organisations offer training and competing at a range of different levels, so you'll need to have a look around and see what suits you. The list below focuses on the main equestrian sports and organisations, but you may want find out about other sports such as reining, horseball and polocrosse.

organisations that offer training...

• The British Horse Society has regular events and training
• Your local Riding Club is also likely to have training opportunities and competitions at a range of levels, and includes membership for juniors
• Pony Club branches offer a range of training and competing opportunities for those aged under 25 with their own pony and transport. They also provide education on horse care and management as well as social opportunities. Training and competitions cover a whole range of different equestrian sports from dressage to polocrosse, pony racing and tetrathlon.   

If you want to specialise:

• British Showjumping (BS) have Academies for training, plus their Five Star Award Programme  
• British Dressage (BD) provide training, social and competitions for dressage riders – more information can be found on their Regional pages. For younger riders, BD Youth is the dedicated programme for dressage riders and supporters aged six–25 years old. It encompasses training, activities, teams (regional, national & international) and lots of fun things with dressage at heart
• The British Eventing Youth Programmes hosts training and competition opportunities for riders aged 12–21 years, from those just starting out on their BE journey to those aiming to represent Great Britain on the Youth European Championship squads. 

Riding Holidays 

Riding holidays in the UK and abroad can be a great way to enjoy the natural surroundings or take advantage of specialist facilities. Some centres will provide you with horses and a guide or coach, while others offer facilities for you to bring your own horse. Think about what you would like to do because some riding holidays are focused on improving your riding, while others are about exploring the countryside or coastline, or going on adventures. If you're looking for an overseas holiday, there are opportunties such as horseback safaris, mountain treks or working on cattle ranches, but these are often restricted to experienced riders. Be realistic about your experience and confidence because it will make for a much more enjoyable holiday if you're well matched with a horse.  

We'd recommend you go via a reputable firm that has good reviews for the type of holiday you are after. If you're going abroad and using a travel agent, look for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) logo – these travel agents need to meet certain standards and financial protection for your holiday.   

If you have your own horse and are looking to take them on holiday, have a look for Horses Welcome Bed and Breakfast accommodation.