• 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+ is the leading organisation in the UK representing riding schools, livery yards and equestrian centres.  Founded in 1954 as the British Association of Riding Schools, it operates Britain’s longest established riding school accreditation scheme.

    In 2020, the ABRS+ introduced a dedicated Livery Yard Approval Scheme to support livery yard owners.  This scheme provides professional representation, practical membership benefits and a recognised mark of quality.  Approved yards can clearly show that they maintain high standards of horse care, facilities and client safety, helping them attract new clients and strengthen their reputation within the equestrian industry.

    The ABRS+ is run by experienced yard owners and equestrian professionals who understand the everyday demands of managing a livery yard or riding establishment.  Membership is open to livery yards of all sizes and disciplines, and there is no requirement to operate as a riding school to take part in the scheme.

    Did you know?

    If you are an existing ABRS+ approved riding establishment you can add Certified Livery Yard membership for just an additional £25.

    Joining the ABRS+ demonstrates to clients that your yard offers excellent facilities, strong welfare standards and a clear commitment to health and safety. It gives horse owners confidence that their horses are receiving 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).
    • Livery Yard members 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 year’s membership.  Riding School members may have a Basic Listing upon request.
    • Livery Yard members have a reduction on ProYard Masterclass sessions for Livery Yard Management, Support and Development, at a cost of £45 per hour (usually £65).
    • 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

     

  • Join today to access enhanced cover on a range of insurance products

    When using the ABRS+ recommended Insurance Brokers, our member establishments will receive cover enhancements on certain insurance products. Offers subject to a minimum policy fee.

    Find out more about Ravenhall Rural Risk Solutions

    Or get a call back from one of their team 

  • 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 2025 – 2026

    Livery Yard Membership – £105

    Accreditation Visit

    Accreditation Visit (Advisors Time) – £120

    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

     

© 2025 The Association of British Riding Schools. Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No. 3186520. Registered Charity No. 1158748

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