Back in October, National Equine Show Partner British Equestrian proudly unveiled groundbreaking new research that, for the first time, put a clear monetary value on the impact of equestrian activity in the UK.
The findings reveal that equestrianism delivers £1.2 billion of social value annually, with each riding centre providing an average of £292,000 worth of value per year. Those who regularly interact with horses know the benefits well, but these figures provide measurable evidence of our sector’s role as a national wellbeing resource.
The UK government defines social or public value as “all significant costs and benefits that affect the welfare and wellbeing of the population” (HM Treasury ‘Green Book’, 2020).
The headline findings
- Total annual social value of equestrian activity in the UK: £1.2 billion
- 25% of this is generated by riding schools, with an average social value of £292,000 per school
- On-horse participation: £2,000 per year for an adult riding twice monthly; £3,500 per year for a young person riding weekly
- Off-horse participation: £2,000 per person, per year
- Volunteering: £2,100 per year for weekly volunteering; £1,000 per year for monthly volunteering.
Read the summary report: The Power of Horses: Social value of equestrianism
The stories behind the data
Jehmar Jonas – Ebony Horse Club
One member of the panel, Jehmar Jonas, spoke of his difficult experiences as a young boy growing up in a troubled area and losing his brother to knife crime. He found horses through Ebony Horse Club in London and now plays polo. Jehmar is now a youth worker and witnesses the special interactions even those most troubled can have with the horses.
“I feel like, in my journey of healing from a lot of the things that I’ve witnessed and a lot of the things I’ve experienced, if it wasn’t for those touchpoints of horses and places like Power of Polo and Ebony Horse Club, I wouldn’t be sitting here,” said Jehmar.
Khianna Lucas-Young – Riding for the Disabled Association
Khianna Lucas-Young spoke of how, after battling leukaemia and other health conditions that left her paralysed and blind, she now rides with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and is grateful for the incredible volunteers who help her every time she rides.
“It’s just a safe haven and it definitely did save me,” she said. “Mentally, physically, in every way, shape or form, I owe everything to the RDA.”
See more of Khianna’s story here.
Why it matters
This project marks a recognised way in how we understand and communicate the value of equestrian activity as a contributor to national wellbeing.
The findings demonstrate the crucial role of equestrian centres as local hubs with national impact. They are where the majority of new journeys into our community begin, where volunteers give their time and where careers are built.
Importantly, equestrianism reaches audiences often underrepresented in other sports, including women, older adults, people from lower socio-economic groups and disabled people. This positions our sector as a powerful and accessible way to bring the benefits of physical activity in green spaces to communities who might otherwise be excluded.
A turning point for the equestrian sector
This report provides the evidence base we need to amplify the extensive benefits of equestrian activity, champion our role in national wellbeing and ensure equestrianism is recognised as a key player in the future of sport, health and community development.
See it for yourself
Many of the brands around the National Equine Show and speakers you’ll see on the inspiration stage will relate to social value in some way – listen out for it and head over to British Equestrian to find out more about the power of horses.