Approved Riding Establishment Criteria

All riding establishments where horses are hired to deliver services must, by law, be licensed by the Local Authority under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (England) or the Riding Establishments Act 1964 (Scotland and Wales).

In addition to this council licensing, the ABRS+ conducts its own approval scheme, setting a high standard for the care of horses and requiring confidence that the instruction given is well presented and correct. The size of the facility is irrelevant, and there are member establishments of all sizes, with a range of facilities. Provided they meet the required high standards of care and attention to both horse and rider, meet the membership requirements and agree to abide by the ABRS+ code of conduct, they are happily accepted as members following completion of the accreditation process.

How else can membership benefit me?

As a member body of British Equestrian, the ABRS will represent you and your views, allowing us to communicate the needs and concerns of livery yard and riding school proprietors to local and national government.  This is vitally important in a currently under-represented industry to strengthen the voice for the owners of equestrian premises as a whole. It also means that the ABRS+ is a trusted source of information for our members.

One of the main aims of this scheme is to create a membership community of equestrian professionals managing equestrian establishments who can work alongside the ABRS+ for the long term benefit of improving the standards of the industry, raising the expectations of pupils, clients and horse owners, and to create a recognised ‘best practice’ for all riding schools and yards.

Riding school owners joining this scheme are investing in the future of the industry for the better.

Become a member and let us help you turn your riding school into a better business.

If you also offer livery at your riding school you can request approval for this within your membership for an additional £20. You can find information on the Livery Yard membership here.

What will my clients gain?

Your riding school will belong to a professional body representing hundreds of riding schools across the UK. These pupils and clients can be reassured that they are learning to ride, or continuing their equestrian education, at a professionally managed establishment where the ABRS have deemed an excellent level of skill, competence, management, and welfare are available to pupils, clients and the equines in the care of the premises. This includes the confidence that staff are appropriately qualified and trained, that the horses and ponies available are well schooled and suitable for all levels of rider and that the premises adheres to the recommended codes of conduct.

As an approved riding school, you can also offer your pupils and clients the opportunity to take a variety of practical-based ABRS graded tests in stable management and equitation such as the Equestrian Care Award and the Rosette Awards.