British Dressage launches urban equestrian centre initiative

British Dressage has recently welcomed the first cohort of riders onto its pilot programme for urban equestrian centres at Summerfield Stables. 

A core principle of British Dressage’s strategy is to ensure that the sport is accessible to all, by removing the barriers to participation and creating opportunities for riders with limited access to the sport, particularly for those who come from less privileged backgrounds.

With this key objective in mind, we’re delighted to launch the pilot for our Urban Equestrian Centre Programme, in partnership with Birmingham-based centre Summerfield Stables, aimed at unlocking possibilities for under-represented communities in urban areas. 

Summerfield Stables is a community riding school in the heart of Birmingham offering an inclusive environment that provides access to horse riding for young people, as well as volunteering opportunities for those keen to learn and care for horses. Their ethos is to give everyone the chance to experience the special bond between horse and human, regardless of age, race, gender or disability, while demonstrating the important role that horses play in society, especially for those who may not be fortunate to be able to learn, interact or engage with equines in their daily lives. 

Following an initial selection process involving applicants who already learn at Summerfield, ten students have been shortlisted to take part in the pilot programme.  Those participating are all young people from a variety of different backgrounds, each sharing the passion to expand their equestrian knowledge, develop their riding skills and understand more about the sport of dressage. The level of enthusiasm displayed by these young riders impressed the selection panel and we are looking forward to following their progress over coming months.

Each rider will take part in a six-week training course at Solihull Riding Club in the West Midlands, led by BD Coach Jo Swain, with the goal of performing a British Dressage test in a competition environment at the end of the programme.  Students will also be able to complete Levels 1 & 2 of the BD Horse Care programme, helping to improve their all-round equestrian knowledge both inside and outside of the riding arena.  Awareness of equine welfare is a central tenet of the programme, and educating these new students at the very start of their dressage journey will be a major part of the development activities.

Due to the scheme’s popularity and the number of applications received, a second cohort will follow at Summerfield Stables, followed by further programmes elsewhere in the country, with two centres identified through the BEF Urban Equestrian Centre Network in London and the North East.  The programme is one of the Designated Funds projects aimed at increasing the level of diversity and inclusion within the sport of dressage.

Emma Bayliss, Project Delivery Lead for British Dressage, has been instrumental in developing the programme and commented on the importance of the opportunity: “Aside from learning about dressage and falling in love with the sport, it’s all about improving the confidence of these young people. The programme gives them the opportunity to learn from our coach, interact with each other, and develop valuable life skills that they will be able to take forward into the wider world.”

Georgina Urwin who runs Summerfield Stables and is an advocate for inclusion and accessibility to equestrian sports, commented: “It’s really important that all riders have the same opportunities as those who own their own horses.  We want to give this experience to as many young people as possible, so they don’t feel excluded from activities within the equestrian world. We don’t want them to have to deal with a huge financial outlay just to experience affiliated sport.”

“The programme has given our students a wonderful opportunity to experience these great facilities and give themselves a chance to shine, showing that they are as good as any other rider. Often, it’s assumed that riding school pupils can’t ride to a good enough level.  We have a variety of lovely horses and Jo Swain has commented that our riders already work to a high standard – it's great to have that affirmed, so they can move forward with more self-belief.”

Twelve-year-old Phoebe is one of the Summerfield students taking part and explained about how horses have a positive influence on her life: “I just love horses, I volunteer a lot, going after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays, along with getting to ride on Saturdays. Horses mean a lot to me, if I’ve had a bad day I can come to the stables, they reset me and allow me to be okay.” Phoebe expressed a keen interest in freestyle dressage as part of her motivation to participate in the British Dressage programme and hopes to have a go at this element in the sport in the future.

We will be updating members on the progress of our Urban Equestrian Centre Programme over the coming months and wish all participants the best of luck as they embark on their dressage journey. 

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