In order to take a coordinated approach to developing and improving facilities nationwide a single and comprehensive resource needs to exist that clearly defines and maps all types of equestrian facility across the country.
The BEF has decided to develop a National Facilities Database (NFD) to meet this need. This will detail locations, types and levels of facilities offered, services available, disciplines catered for, any accreditations/memberships, and contact details. Once developed the NFD will provide:
- A comprehensive source of information enabling riders, drivers and vaulters across the country to identify facilities and clubs best suited to their requirements
- An opportunity to promote the vast range of equestrian related activities to potential new participants, providing information on their nearest riding centres and clubs
- An effective means of analysing current provision, identifying and addressing any gaps and reviewing the effect of any facility/club related initiatives
- A tool for strategic development that will have the capacity to map existing facilities against riders, horses and wider demographic information
- A means to communicate consistently with providers of all types of facility and club, encouraging and supporting the raising of standards and alerting the industry to opportunities that have been identified
Current Status
The BEF has recently selected an IT Partner to conduct a full scoping exercise to clearly define system requirements for the NFD and provide advice on development options. Any company wishing to be considered for the development phase should contact Suzanne Genery (Head of Sport Development) at suzanne@genery.datanet.co.uk
