Whether you run an existing equestrian business or club looking to expand and upgrade its facilities, or are looking to develop a new business or club requiring equestrian facilities, there is plenty of advice, support and guidance available. This section aims to point you in the right direction.
General information - A number of reference books are available covering all aspects of developing facilities and running equestrian facility based businesses. A good selection is available through the British Horse Society's Bookshop. Furthermore there is much relevant information available through Defra's 'Horse Gateway' on matters including planning and land use (see below), business support, farm diversification, business rates, insurance, tourism and much more.
Type of facility - Are you looking to generate more revenue by diversifying your business? Perhaps you own some land that you want to develop for equestrian use. Our sport is incredibly diverse with many different activities and disciplines being catered for across the country. For ideas take a look at the case studies on page 14 of the BEF Facilities Strategy. In addition peruse the websites of our Member Bodies.
Facility Specification - In considering what facilities to develop you may find it useful to know what each equestrian discipline is looking for. On page 25 of the Facilities Strategy you will find detailed venue specifications covering many of these disciplines from the Olympic sports of dressage, show jumping and eventing to the growing disciplines of equestrian vaulting and reining. For further information and to learn about the requirements of some of our newer disciplines such as Horseball and Polocrosse we suggest you head to the relevant organisation's website.
Planning - Achieving planning permission can be challenging and frustrating at times. Below are a number of links to information that will guide you through the process.
Defra's 'Horse Gateway' provides useful advice and guidance on all aspects of the planning process.
The Government has also developed an online 'One-Stop-Shop' Planning and Building resource called the Planning Portal.
Beyond general advice you may find it useful to seek independent professional guidance and services from a planning consultant with experience of the type of project you have in mind. One of the following bodies may be able to help in this regard:
Suppliers - The equestrian industry is currently worth in the region of £4bn to the national economy and the number of suppliers of products and services is significant. Whether you are looking for a company to build stables, indoor or outdoor arenas and horse walkers, or suppliers of show jumps, ground machinery and yard equipment, you will have plenty of choice. You will find what you're looking for through general web searches, reference to the classified pages of magazines such as the Horse and Hound, or by contacting the British Equestrian Trade Association to obtain a copy of the British Equestrian Directory, a comprehensive listing of over 18,000 equestrian service and product providers across 250 different categories.
