Posted on 8th May 2026
With thanks to British Equestrian, the Association of British Riding Schools ABRS+ is delighted to be joining Stand 35 at this year’s Belsay International Horse Trials in Northumberland, on Friday 15th May alongside a wide range of member bodies showcasing the breadth and diversity of equestrian sport over the duration of the 3-day event.
This event provides a brilliant platform for ABRS+ to help drive members of the public to our centres, helping to inspire new interest and increase participation. Following the excitement of watching high level competition, we hope many visitors will feel encouraged to have a go themselves and take their first steps into riding and equestrian activity.
Visitors to the ABRS+ section of the stand will be able to meet ABRS+ board member Julie Pedley, owner of Follifoot Park Riding Centre. Julie will be on hand throughout the day to offer friendly guidance on getting started in riding and to help people find their nearest ABRS+ approved riding school.
Julie will also be running a special competition, giving visitors the chance to win a riding lesson at their local ABRS+ riding school, a fantastic opportunity for anyone keen to get started or return to the saddle.
We will also be providing a handy postcard listing all ABRS+ member centres within a 50 mile radius of the event, making it easy for the public to connect with a trusted riding school.
For ABRS+ member centres attending in person, do not forget to visit the stand to collect your exclusive gift, a set of six rosettes, perfect for your summer activities and events.
We are especially proud to highlight the work of Stepney Bank Stables, one of the official charities of Belsay International Horse Trials and a valued ABRS+ member.
Their connection with Belsay spans over two decades. Around 23 years ago, a pony was sold to Laura de Weslow, organiser of Belsay International Horse Trials, marking the beginning of a long and meaningful relationship. Since then, Stepney Bank has regularly attended the event with their young volunteers, offering them unique opportunities, including behind the scenes tours and course walks.
The charity’s links to the wider eventing world are equally inspiring. Former participants have gone on to successful careers in the sport, including their patron Adam Short, now a groom for Tom McEwan, and Jack Thomas Watson, a sports horse dealer with close ties to the Belsay team. Laura herself has remained a passionate supporter of Stepney Bank’s mission, even attending their recent 25th anniversary celebrations and selecting them as this year’s charity partner.
In the main arena, Stepney Bank Stables will take part in a special demonstration titled The Healing Power of the Horse, alongside the local RDA and KL Therapy ponies.
This powerful showcase will highlight the many ways horses positively impact human wellbeing. Stepney Bank will focus on the life changing skills young people develop through caring for horses, bringing along two ponies each day and a team of participants from their Changing Lives Through Horses programme, Pony Club and Young Volunteer Project.
Based in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, Stepney Bank Stables is a registered charity dedicated to improving the life chances of young people. Many of those they support face challenges such as poverty, mental health struggles and neurodiversity. Through horse care and riding, participants build confidence, emotional resilience, interpersonal skills and employability, helping them move forward into adulthood with greater opportunity and self belief.
As they put it,
“We are thrilled to be involved in the Healing Power of The Horse at Belsay International Horse Trials in Northumberland. It is a great opportunity to showcase the incredible benefits of spending time with horses and highlight the work done at grassroots level which underpins elite level sport.”
We look forward to welcoming you to Stand 35. Come and say hello, enter the competition, pick up your resources and celebrate everything that makes our riding school community so special.
