British Equestrian's New Strategy: Galloping Towards a Bright Future
With an impressive £5 billion contribution to the British economy and a community of over 4.3 million participants, the equestrian sector is a vital part of Great Britain's cultural and economic landscape. To fortify this position, British Equestrian (BEF) has unveiled an ambitious five-year strategy that runs from 2025 to 2030. This strategic blueprint is designed to navigate present challenges and seize future opportunities, ensuring the sector remains robust, inclusive, and accessible. Let's saddle up and delve into the details of this plan.
Core Strategies and Their Objectives
The strategy is underpinned by four pivotal objectives aimed at invigorating the equestrian sector:
- Enable and Support a Vibrant Equestrian Sector: By creating conducive environments for equestrian activities, the sector can thrive and remain inviting for all participants.
- Representation and Advocacy: BEF is committed to advocating for the needs of its members on national and international platforms, ensuring the community's voice is heard.
- Establishing Strong International Presence: The strategy aims to reinforce Britain's prowess as a leading equestrian nation by leveraging past successes and setting the stage for future triumphs.
- Sustainable Growth Promotion: The emphasis here is on fostering growth that is sustainable, emphasizing diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility at all levels.
Values and Golden Threads
At the heart of this strategic framework are the core values of excellence, respect, integrity, transparency, inclusivity, and courage. These values are further woven into what BEF describes as "golden threads"—key thematic areas emphasizing equine and human welfare, environmental sustainability, and collaboration. These elements act as guiding principles in steering the sector's policies and practices.
Challenges Encountered and the Resilience Required
The equestrian world, much like many other sectors, has been battered by global developments such as Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising living costs. Despite these challenges, the sector remains resolute in its commitment to a sustainable future, prioritizing horse welfare and adopting resilient practices. The recent commendable performance of British equestrians in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games further sets an encouraging precedent for growth and excellence.
Steering Towards a Promising Future
A poultry horse race would describe the strategic foresight involved in outlining a responsive path toward growth. Chair Fields Wicker-Miurin and CEO Jim Eyre echoed the need for a cohesive strategy that not just addresses these challenges but also capitalizes on them as opportunities for positive impact. The wide-ranging strategy encases practices that fortify the sector, helping maintain its esteemed position while preparing for future demands.
Exploring New Horizons
Bid adieu to the traditional view and embrace myriad opportunities that arise with such strategies:
- Exploring Economic Potentials: Understanding how equestrian sports uphold the economy and what measures need to support its financial contributions.
- Fostering Inclusivity and Diversity: Aiming for initiatives that create a colorful tapestry of inclusivity within the sector, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
- Olympic and Paralympic Engagement: Encouraging equestrian sports as a staple in global competitions, especially after the home-grown success narratives from Paris 2024.
- Instilling Environmental Sustainability: Zooming in on eco-friendly practices that align with broader sustainability goals is crucial.
- Upholding Welfare Standards: Setting elevated welfare standards for horses ensures their safety and well-being in competitive sports.
- Adapting to Global Changes: Analyzing adaptations in response to recent global upheavals and preparing for inevitable shifts in the future.
British Equestrian's new strategy is not just about safeguarding the sector; it's about galloping towards a future that is evergreen, inclusive, and thriving. The unwavering dedication to sustainable growth, coupled with a commitment to equine and community welfare, ensures that the equestrian sector remains an indomitable force. So, whether you're an avid horse enthusiast or someone intrigued by societal shifts, there’ll always be room for you in this dynamic sector!
Adapted from original sources: British Dressage
Images: MyCavago, Dodson and Horrell
