Getting Started
Horse riding is a sport that anyone, regardless of age, ability or background can have a go at. The best piece of advice that could be given to a novice is not to be afraid to give it a go. Horse riding is one of the most versatile sports you can take up. Once the basics have been mastered there are numerous options to suit everyone from riding out in the countryside, to something more challenging such as polo or show jumping.
Lessons are important if you've never ridden before as mastering the basics will make riding safer and more enjoyable.
• There are 1.35 million horses in Britain
• They are owned or cared for by 720,000 people, or 1.2% of the UK population
• 4.3 million people have ridden in the last year
Kit you'll need
Apart from access to a horse, you will need a range of equipment to ride safely. The is plenty of support and advice available and to start out with you will only need the basics in terms of clothing as clubs and schools will provide the rest.
What's Good
Participation in equestrian sport is supported through a vast range of facilities and clubs including riding and equestrian centres, show grounds, livery yards, trekking centres and colleges, as well as Riding and Pony Clubs and a variety of discipline-specific environments.