Horses For All: A Year of Progress Towards True Inclusivity in Equestrianism
In December 2023, British Equestrian launched Horses For All, a bold and necessary commitment to fostering an equestrian community where everyone—regardless of background, ability, or circumstance—feels valued, safe, and truly belongs. One year on, we take stock of the progress made, the challenges ahead, and the momentum building towards a more inclusive future for the sport.
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
This strategy didn’t emerge in a vacuum. It was shaped by pioneering research into the realities of underrepresented communities in equestrianism—voices that, for too long, have been left out of the conversation. Add to that an independent cultural health check and a deep organisational review, and what we now have is a clear vision for change: an equestrian sector that reflects society as a whole, not just a privileged few.
The past year has seen British Equestrian and its 20 member bodies step up to deliver meaningful action. The Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), finalised in September 2024, outlines short-term, actionable steps to dismantle barriers to participation. But this is just the start—because inclusion isn’t a box-ticking exercise. It’s a fundamental shift in culture, structure, and opportunity.
What’s Changed? Real Progress, Real Impact.
The past 12 months have delivered tangible change, proving that words on a strategy document mean nothing without action. Here’s what’s been achieved so far:
✅ New British Equestrian Rulebook – A stronger stance on discrimination. The revised rulebook—soon to be implemented—reinforces anti-discrimination policies across the entire federation.
✅ Urban Equestrian Centre Network – Equestrianism isn’t just for the countryside. A new initiative is connecting and empowering urban riding centres, enabling them to share best practices and improve accessibility. An updated ‘Find a Centre’ tool now makes it easier than ever to locate these facilities.
✅ Safe to Play Platform – Making safeguarding simple and effective. The Safe to Play campaign has streamlined reporting procedures, ensuring that concerns are addressed quickly and consistently across the sport.
✅ Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Training – Change starts at the top. An 18-month federation-wide training programme, delivered in partnership with Inclusive Employers, has equipped board members, leadership teams, and staff with the tools to embed inclusivity at every level.
✅ Data That Reflects Reality – Membership systems are being updated to track diversity indicators, ensuring that future policies and initiatives are shaped by real representation.
The Work is Just Beginning
This is more than just a progress report—it’s a statement of intent. Mandana Mehran Pour, Head of Participation and Development at British Equestrian, sums it up best:
“We are incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made over the past year and deeply grateful to our member bodies and the EDI Working Group for their dedication in driving this work forward. Together, we are taking meaningful steps toward a more inclusive equestrian community where everyone has the opportunity to experience the incredible impact of horses. While there is much to celebrate, this is just the beginning. We remain committed to making lasting change.”
Equestrianism: A Sport for Everyone. No Exceptions.
At Equitas, we believe in breaking down barriers and building up communities. The progress made under Horses For All proves that real change is possible when the industry stops talking and starts doing. But it also highlights the work that still needs to be done—because true inclusivity isn’t about single initiatives or box-checking policies. It’s about an industry-wide shift towards justice, fairness, and equity for all.
The conversation doesn’t stop here. It’s up to all of us—riders, trainers, officials, governing bodies—to ensure that equestrianism becomes a sport where everyone has a place.
Are we there yet? No.
Are we on the right path? Yes.
Now, let’s keep going.
