Wednesday, 17 July 2024
After some four years of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the equine industry, the British Ethnic Riders Federation (BERF) recently announced their official transition from a community group to a Community Interest Company (CIC). This change will help expand their reach and support more members while addressing racial discrimination concerns in line with the Equality Act 2010.
As pioneers of diversity and socio-economic support in the UK equine industry, BERF has detailed their mission as ‘to provide opportunities for people from ethnically diverse backgrounds to participate in equine and rural activities, focusing on urban areas’, something they’re actively developing under a strong leadership team which includes:
BERF operates with three key objectives:
Founded in 2020, the organisation has grown to nearly 500 members across the UK, providing a safe, encouraging platform for ethnically diverse riders to connect.
The Federation aims to provide a level playing field to enable riders from ethnically diverse backgrounds to be on a par with their peers through the British Ethnic Riders Activities Centre of Excellence (BERACE), a residential facility set up in the rural environment, providing an immersive atmosphere for equestrian pursuits.
British Ethnic Riders Federation thanked British Equestrian for supporting through Sport England’s Together Fund and for the help from Sported, who have been immensely helpful with assistance for BERF in getting to this stage.
For more information about the British Ethnic Riders Federation, our mission, and how to get involved, please visit their website at www.berf2020.co.uk or contact them at berfuk2020@gmail.com.