News
NEW: Learning Hub Module in Collaboration with Riders Minds
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:41
We’re pleased to release the latest addition to the BD Learning Hub, a three-part online course covering mental health and wellbeing, created in collaboration with Riders Minds.
On Random Acts of Kindness Day, we’re excited to release an invaluable learning opportunity to all members, with the introduction of the Mental Health and Wellbeing course to the BD Learning Hub offering.
The three-part online learning course covers all aspects of monitoring our own mental health and personal wellbeing. The aim is to equip members with the knowledge and tools to identify and recognise individual signs when they are ‘not OK’, whilst raising awareness of the importance of our mental health and the impact it can have on those around us. Mental health and equine well-being are intrinsically linked, and this module will also provide advice on the impact of our own mental state on our horses, as well as how we handle and care for them.
Following the launch of the three-part course, we will also be making further sub-modules available, offering role-specific education. These will be released throughout the spring and summer months, to include online support for coaches, youth riders and their parents, and competing members of all ages.
British Dressage CEO Jason Brautigam commented, “Mental health and wellbeing is such a vitally important topic, we want to be able to provide advice and guidance to BD members when necessary. We are proud to partner with Riders Minds to deliver expert training and education in this area, so we can provide members with the tools they need to support themselves and offer a helping hand to others.
“Horse people may have a reputation for being tough, but we need to improve the industry’s approach to mental health, by opening up conversations on this subject, breaking down any preconceptions or barriers, and providing the necessary support and knowledge for equestrians to recognise and ask when help is needed.”
Riders Minds is an online bespoke resource dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all, regardless of age, level or experience. We encourage members to make use of their 24/7 helpline and live chat service, where help and support from trained experts and counsellors is available to all.
Victoria Wright, founder and Chair of Riders Minds commented: “It is fantastic that British Dressage have recognised the importance of mental health and are pioneering the way with the development and launch of their brilliant online learning hub.
The equestrian industry is completely unique and can be incredibly tough with a far-reaching effect on mental health. We are passionate about bringing people together, raising awareness and signposting those in need to recourses that can help, and this is a hugely important and positive step forward for all equestrians.”
The content has been developed by the BD Training & Education team and Mental Health Coach and Riders Minds Consultant, Sylvia Bruce. Sylvia commented, “Riders Minds were absolutely thrilled when British Dressage approached us in November 2024 to collaborate on creating their truly groundbreaking initiative.
We’ve worked very closely to ensure this online learning delivered against its aim to appeal to everyone within the sport of dressage, those who ride, those who don't, and all riders from top level to amateurs who juggle horses around other commitments. We believe this is a ‘first of its kind’ in equestrian sport and are super proud of what we’ve achieved together to enhance participants’ wellbeing.”
BD Learning Hub
The Learning Hub is free to access and provides members with a stream of engaging, educational content for members at all stages.
To access the BD Learning Hub, members simply need to visit the landing page, available via the BD website and follow the instructions to create an account. Once the account is confirmed as ‘active’, you can begin working through the courses available – all included as part of your benefits of being a British Dressage member, benefits include a 20% discount on training modules on the Learning Hub.
