Holding a memorable and successful event at Greenwich Park will bring the powerful legacy of a stronger place for equestrian sport within the Olympic and Paralympic Games 'family'. However, it is also important to capitalise on this by leaving a more substantial, physical legacy in terms of facilities, participation and general interest in equestrian sport.
The BEF is one of the first sporting bodies to present its plans for a lasting legacy and launched "Hoof - Ride London" in 2007.
The Hoof website has been created for people interested in and supportive of riding in London and Hoof will provide the umbrella for the promotion of a series of initiatives and activities aimed at increasing awareness of, and participation in riding and equestrian sport.
The key aims of the Hoof legacy project are:
- Provide more opportunities for children & adults in London to ride by:
- Increasing the opportunities for children to ride through their schools and seeking funding to support this programme
- Supporting new/developing riding establishments
- Develop more equestrian events in London, potentially including the introduction of a London Festival of the Horse
- Engage the London riding community via a London Horse Network
- Support these objectives with a sustained PR programme which promotes opportunities to ride, challenges perceptions about riding, champions equestrian sport in a wider political landscape and supports the existing riding community
You can read about the history of the project via the following press releases:
With the success of Hoof in the London region the BEF is now launching the England wide Hoof regional networks, which are supported by Sport England.
The regional networks have two clear objectives:
- Raise participation
- Empower local equestrian businesses / organisations to grow
Hoof regional network launches:
East Midlands - 26 June, Moulton College
East - 5 July, Newmarket Racecourse
South West - 13 July, Hartpury Festival of Dressage
South East - 27 July, Royal International Show, Hickstead
North East - August 2011, TBC
The following regional networks have already been launched and are welcoming new members:
London, North West, Yorkshire & the Humber, West Midlands
Please contact your regional reprepsentative for further information
