• Become An ABRS+ Certified Or Approved Livery Yard

    | WHAT IS THE ABRS+ AND WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN?

     

    The ABRS+is the British Association of Riding Schools, Livery Yards and Equestrian Centres.

    The ABRS, was founded in 1954 and runs Britain’s longest-established riding school scheme. In 2020, the ABRS+ added a new scheme for livery yard owners to its approval options. The aim of the new scheme is to represent livery yard owners and offer them a range of benefits. Most importantly, the scheme enables livery yards to demonstrate hallmarks of quality thereby raising their standing within the industry while providing assurance to existing and potential clients.

    The ABRS is an association run by yard owners, equestrian professionals or directors who have a passion for the equestrian industry and who understand issues faced by proprietors of equestrian establishments. We understand the challenges that running and owning a livery yard can bring. We also recognise that no two yards are the same. We welcome livery yards of all sizes, offering all types of livery packages from across all disciplines. There is no requirement to be a riding school to join the Livery Yard scheme. Riding establishments that are existing ABRS members may join the Certified Livery Yard membership for an additional £20.

    If you belong to the ABRS your clients can be satisfied that you offer high standards of facilities, that your clients health and safety are a priority and that horses and ponies in your charge are given the best possible care.

    Find out more about the ABRS+ here

     

  • As an ABRS+ Livery Yard member:

    • You will be promoted and listed on our website one of our Approved or Certified Livery Yards.
    • You can display the ABRS+ Certified or Approved Livery Yard plaque on your premises and the approved/ certified logo on your marketing and documentation.
    • You will have access to a range of professional advisors, support and specific resources to assist the administrative and practical management of your livery business.
    • Full membership to the Equestrian Employers Association to support all of your employment, HR, health and safety and business needs as well as a free legal helpline (£42.50 value).
    • You will be eligible for a complimentary 12-month Standard Listing on LiveryList Livery Yard Directory or a £30 credit on a 12-month Featured Listing to be used at any time during your years membership.
    • You, or your staff, can take part in conferences and training sessions designed to help your business reach its full potential including ‘Yard Owner Learning’ online sessions (Free to ABRS Members) and safeguarding training.
    • You will benefit from exciting ABRS marketing initiatives, including national advertising and editorial placement to raise awareness of the scheme.
    • Access to the Members Benefit Scheme  offering exclusive promotions to our members on products and services

    See the full list of ABRS+ Member Benefits here

     

  • Competitive Insurance Products

    15% discount for ABRS approved Riding Establishments and Livery Yards. When using the ABRS recommended Insurance Brokers – ABRS approved riding establishments will receive cover enhancements on certain insurance products. Offers subject to a minimum policy fee.

    Contact Leopard Risk Management on 01423 860205 or 07846 587801 for further information.

  • Certified and Approved Livery Yard Criteria

    Livery Yards can self-certify, through the use of the ABRS membership application form and by providing the necessary supporting documents that they meet the criteria for membership of the ABRS. Livery Yards that have self-certified may use the description ‘Certified Livery Yard’.

    Livery Yards may wish additionally to be accredited as an Approved Livery Yard. Accreditation provides independent assurance that the criteria for membership of the ABRS have been met. Livery Yards that have been accredited may use the description ‘Approved Livery Yard’. A Certified Livery Yard may seek ‘Approved’ status through accreditation at any time. It does not need to be requested at the point of initial membership application.

    The ABRS also offers, at Livery Yard owner or manager request, advisory visits. These visits enable the Livery Yard to benefit from best practise in safety, employee and client management and in horse welfare.

    It is important to understand that due to the large variance on the types of livery and livery premises, livery yards accepted onto the membership schemes are taken as a case-by-case basis as deemed appropriate to the facilities and livery packages or services on offer with the criteria and accreditation being amended to reflect the needs of the yard. The document below will give an indication of supporting documentation and aspects considered during accreditation

    How else can membership benefit me?

    You can take advantage of our communications network within the equestrian industry: the ABRS has close ties with other key national equestrian bodies. 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 yard owners 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 yard owners who can work alongside the ABRS for the long term benefit of improving the standards of the livery industry, raising the expectations of horse owners, and to create a recognised ‘best practice’ for all yards. There is also the opportunity to have a representative voice should the time arise for the consultation or preparation for the implementation of livery yard licensing.

    Yard 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 livery yard into a better business.

    What will my clients gain?

    Your livery yard will belong to a professional body representing livery yard proprietors. You will be able to use your approved or certified status to attract new livery clients.

    These clients can be reassured that they are keeping their horse on livery at a professionally managed establishment where the ABRS have deemed an excellent level of skill, competence, management and welfare are available to clients and their equines.

    For more details about the application or accreditation process, or to ask any other questions, please contact us.

  • How much does it cost?

    The ABRS Membership year runs the date of the application for 12 months and will continue if subscriptions are paid on the renewal date in subsequent years.

    Annual Membership Fees 2023 – 2024

    Livery Yard Membership – £99

    Accreditation Visit

    Accreditation Visit (Advisors Time) – £100

    Travel – Based on HMRC Mileage Rates – 45p/mile

    For Approved Riding Establishments

    Top-up for Join Livery Yard/ Riding School Membership – £25

    The Online Membership Application uses Google Forms and requires an existing Google login or the creation a Google Account.  This is needed because the form requires applicants to upload documents and photographs required by the application process.  If you do not wish to create a Google Account or login you can:

    DOWNLOAD A MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

    If you would like to arrange an Advisory Visit, or to discuss any aspect of membership, fees or the application process please email or contact the ABRS+ Office

    If you have not had confirmation that we have received your membership application within 7 days of applying, please contact the ABRS+ Office

     

© 2024 The Association of British Riding Schools. Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No. 3186520. Registered Charity No. 1158748

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