This Girl Can Ride Campaign
Thursday 27 August 2015
Grab your friends and give horse riding a go!
- Empowering ‘This Girl Can Ride’ campaign launched in UK to get more women riding
- Backed by Olympic, European and World Dressage Champion Charlotte Dujardin OBE
- FREE sessions offered on 13th September in 40+ riding schools around the UK
Catching up with the girls may normally involve coffee, cake and a gossip, but women across the UK are being urged to try something different this September and give horses a go! Not only can riding help improve fitness, it also relieves stress and gets you out in the open air. And with the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) launching the first annual ‘Give Horses a Go’ day on 13th September 2015 – giving people the chance to get closer to horses and try riding for FREE - there’s no better time to discover all that a trip to the stables has to offer.
Statistics show some two million girls and women are already riding, proving the huge popularity of the sport. The BEF is hoping that even more women will take up the mantle and reap the many benefits of getting involved with horses. Whether it is taking lessons so that you can ride on the beach on holiday, hacking out with friends and having a gossip, or setting your sights on entering a competition: being with horses provides camaraderie, friendship and a real sense of achievement.
What’s more, horses aren't judgemental, so there’s no pressure to look good or to get all the techniques right straight away: you can take it at your own pace and figure out what suits you best.
That is what the BEF’s This Girl Can Ride campaign is all about. Endorsed by Sport England, under their popular This Girl Can campaign banner, This Girl Can Ride aims to get women aged 26+ to try something horsey. Whether it’s a simple visit to a participating riding school to meet some of the horses, or trying a riding lesson for the first time, This Girl Can Ride kicks off with a national ‘Give Horses a Go’ day on Sunday 13th September.
More than 40 approved riding schools are taking part, each offering FREE sessions. You don’t need lots of expensive kit, just sensible trousers and a pair of boots or shoes with a small heel. A full list of participating venues can be found on the BEF’s Hoof website www.hoofride.co.uk, and the website also contains tips on what to wear and what to expect.
And if you have ridden before, but had to stop, now might be the time to get back into the saddle and pick up the reins again. The Give Horses a Go days are open to returning riders as well.
World record holding British dressage rider, Charlotte Dujardin, who recently achieved double gold success at the European Dressage Championships in Germany, comments: “Horse riding can bring so many positive benefits to people’s lives. More than getting physically active, you develop an amazing bond together and that’s really special. It’s what I love so much about riding Valegro; he’s my Olympic team mate but more than that he’s also my best friend. Hoof’s This Girl Can Ride campaign is an empowering initiative that’s been created to encourage more women into riding. Absolutely anyone can give riding a go no matter what their background or ability is and I am happy to show my support to this inspiring new campaign.”
Speaking for the BEF, Head of Participation Anna Hall says: “Horse riding is a sport that anyone, regardless of their age, ability or background can have a go at. Whether you’ve never sat on a horse before, or if you are looking to get back into riding, it’s a brilliant way to socialise and learn new skills. You can also reap in the many physical and mental benefits that being around a horse can offer to you.
“Sport England is doing a great job in encouraging women to take part in physical exercise, and as part of the riding community we have an important role to play. Our great advantage is that horses really don’t care what you look like whilst you’re cantering around the arena and you’ll be too enthralled to care.”
New TV show
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
