EquestrianEquestrian Industry UK Industry UK A Guide to British Skills & Expertise A Guide to British Skills & Expertise 1 A Guide to British Skills & Expertise Photo above: UK Equilibrium Products Front cover photos: Kit Houghton Thoroughbred Breeders Association Keith Rees Airowear Industry Champion Charles Owen Back cover photos: Left to right: Dengie Horse Feeds, Racesafe Equestrian 2 CONTENTS Welcome What is the UK good at? ORGANISATIONS .......................................................... p.6 LORINERY ...................................................................... p.18 A pivotal role An ancient craft Equestrian sport Fitting Equestrian trade Education Key contacts Key contacts SADDLERY ....................................................................... p.8 VETERINARY CARE .................................................... p.19 A rich heritage Prestigious vet schools Equestrian Supplies Esteemed academics Training Training Key contacts Key contacts FARRIERY....................................................................... p.10 HORSES .......................................................................... p.20 Training Quality bloodlines Apprenticeships Breeding Organisations Sales Supplies Bloodstock agents Industry Key contacts Sport horses Key contacts BODY PROTECTORS ................................................. p.11 Riding safely RACING ........................................................................... p.22 Standards The sport of kings Competing Flat and jump Manufacture Racecourses Key contacts Landmark races UK A governing body RIDING HATS & HELMETS ...................................... p.12 Commercial activity Head first Training Standards Key contacts World authority Key contacts EDUCATION .................................................................. p.24 A place of learning A Guide to British Skills & Expertise FEED & NUTRITION .................................................... p.13 Industry-focused Investing in quality Dedicated to training Working together Key contacts Under the spotlight BETA SPORT & LEISURE ..................................................... p.25 Up for discussion The lure of horses Key contacts For pleasure For competition EQUESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE & FACILITIES ...... p14 Disciplines Harnessing knowledge Iconic events Arena surfaces Key contacts Courses for horses Stables TOURISM ........................................................................ p.27 Key contacts Location, location, location Accommodation RIDER CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR ......................... p.16 Booked Cutting-edge design Key contacts New fabrics Precision footwear CONTACTS .................................................................... p.28 Key contacts HORSEWEAR & EQUIPMENT ................................. p.17 Innovation Research and design Key contacts 3 Welcome The British equestrian industry is highly regarded and respected throughout the world. It is underpinned by an extensive portfolio of skills, ranging from saddlery and farriery to the manufacture of riding hats and equine feeds. Education sits at the heart of this thriving sector and plays a vital role in helping to maintain and develop the UK’s broad bank of knowledge, craftsmanship and experience. It also provides a priceless legacy to pass down through the generations and a valuable resource to offer overseas. Fuelled by a history of rich traditions and modern innovation, it sets the pace to ensure that the equestrian industry remains a force to be reckoned with. Its success and enviable international reputation is keenly felt and has Photo: Horse & Hound resulted in the sector becoming a multi-billion- Claire Williams pound contributor to the British economy. Executive director, A Guide to British Skills & Expertise British Equestrian Trade Association Horse riding and equestrian sport in general continue to enjoy growing popularity on a global scale, leading to increased demand for British- made goods. UK This useful guide provides essential information for everyone wishing to learn more about what the UK’s equestrian industry has to offer. It gives a detailed overview of key categories and supplies handy contacts to help put you in touch. Industry Our thanks go to the Global Britain Fund and the British Embassy in Moscow for their assistance and support in helping us to reach out to explore a closer working relationship with the equestrian sector in Russia. Their advice and funding to BETA has allowed the publication of this guide and opened the door for many companies to Equestrian expand their markets into a new and developing market. 4 What is the The equestrian sector in numbers UK good at? The British Equestrian Trade Association’s National Equestrian Survey (2019) provides a powerful insight into the UK’s equestrian sector. It reveals: The United Kingdom might Value of equestrian sector – £4.7 billion per year. be a small group of islands, Privately owned horses – 700,000. but it has a vast wealth of Horse owning households – 374,000. skills and expertise at its Horses owned by professional sector – 141,000. fingertips, with some of the People who ride in a year – 3 million. finest craftspeople, skilled Regular riders – 1.8 million (ride at least once a month). Growth in use of the internet to make equestrian related purchases – 28% technicians, scientists and Cost of horsecare and upkeep – £3.37 billion. designers inspiring the Annual cost of care and upkeep per horse - £4,174. world with an exciting range Other costs of horse ownership – £742 million a year. of products. Annual amount spent on footwear – £227 million. Annual amount spent on riding hats and body protectors - £180 million 5 representing the interests of 3 million riders, ORGANISATIONS vaulters and carriage drivers in Great Britain via 18 independent member bodies The BEF works with the FEI on policy issues, A pivotal role coordinates the British calendar of international events, disciplinary procedures and doping control, Two organisations play a pivotal role in the UK’s and oversees the training of British international equestrian sector. One is the governing body of judges, stewards, vets and course designers. sport while the other represents the interests of its trade members. British Equestrian is responsible for distributing government funding to the equestrian sports. Funding from UK Sport and Sport England supports Equestrian sport British Equestrian’s work, from developing elite riders aiming to win medals for Great Britain to British Equestrian (BEF) is the National Governing encouraging complete beginners from a range Body for horse sports in the UK, affiliated to the of backgrounds to get involved. Working with its Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the members, it continues to drive participation in international governing body of equestrian sports. It equestrian sport, encouraging more people to exists to provide leadership, vision and purpose in discover horses and take up riding, vaulting or steering the direction of equestrianism. driving. British Equestrian is an umbrella organisation A Guide to British Skills & Expertise Photo: Stephen Bartholomew UK Industry Equestrian 6 Equestrian trade official media partner of BETA International, is packed with the latest news, features and hot topics The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) from this constantly changing and vibrant sector. has been supporting the industry of which it is an To find out more about the magazine to www. integral part for more than 40 years. It is recognised equestriantradenews.com where you can also sign as the official representative for the equestrian up to its weekly e-newletters. manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade by government and leading riding organisations. BETA has more than 800 member companies and is dedicated to promoting export trade. It organises regular trade missions to accompany groups of British companies to trade and consumer equestrian Equestrian shows throughout the world. It represents the trade on a number of bodies, including the British Horse Council, British Equestrian and BSI Standards Committee for hats and body protectors. Key contacts A respected training provider, BETA offers a wide Industry range of courses to retailers and members of the British Equestrian Trade Association riding public on hat and body protector fitting, (BETA) saddle fitting and bits and bitting (lorinery), as well T: +44 (0)1937 587062 as training to those wishing to sell certain animal E: [email protected] medicines as registered animal medicine advisors. W: www.beta-uk.org UK Commercial Services British Equestrian (BEF) T: +44 (0)2476 698871 BETA’s commercial arm, Equestrian Management E: [email protected] Consultants (EMC) offers a range of services W: www.britishequestrian.org.uk including event management, consultancy and A Guide to British Skills & Expertise publishing. Equestrian Management Consultants (EMC) EMC organizes BETA International, the world’s T: +44 (0) 1937 582111 leading trade fair for the equestrian, pet product, E: [email protected] country clothing and outdoor markets. It takes W: www.beta-int.com place every year at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire and attracts buyers and suppliers from the UK and overseas. For further information about exhibiting or visiting the show go to www.beta-int.com. EMC also offers a consultancy service to those wishing to expand into the equestrian industry. It is able to assist with market research, sourcing and lead generation. Alongside this EMC also publishes