#HorsesForAll - Response Report Released

In June 2022 British Equestrian Federation (BEF), together with its 19 member bodies, including the BGA, pledged to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the equestrian community.

As part of that pledge BEF commissioned AKD Solutions to carry out research surrounding the inclusion and accessibility.

Today BEF have released a response to the comprehensive #HorsesForAll report, a study into the lived experiences of underrepresented communities in equestrian activity.

The report is the result of four months of research across interviews, forums, experience days and a nationwide survey with over 800 respondents which gave a huge amount of data and insight. The resulting 89-page document highlighted nine key themes and set out 11 recommendations for BEF to consider.

In consultation with member bodies, the BEF has published a response document which addresses the recommendations with commitments which will be incorporated into an equality, diversity and inclusion strategy.

Summary of findings

Taking into account the data, lived experiences and comments from the responses, AKD concluded that:

- equestrian activity is socially, culturally and emotionally valuable
- representation and visibility matter
- meeting demand requires support
- race and class experiences are common
- fairness, equality and equity should be core values

Recommendations

AKD Solutions has extensive experience in the sporting landscape on how to address an imbalance in representation and, as such, were asked to provide recommendations for BEF, and member bodies, to provide a focus for the development of a strategy on equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI).

The following 11 recommendations were reviewed and revised by a body of EDI professionals and presented in the report:

1. A universal commitment to anti-racist and anti-classist equestrian environments

2. Open door complaints and grievance practices

3. Clear merit-based progression

4. Build strong partnerships with alternative structures and diverse spaces

5. Invest in urban equestrian centres

6. Keeping records of diversity indicators

7. Creating regular industry check-ins which promote diversity

8. Plan generationally

9. Lead from the front on diversity and make the changes you want to see

10. Address financial, structural and social barriers to engagement

11. Improve experience and generate new advocates

The BEF response

BEF took time to break down the report and take on board the data, comments and insight, in order to decide how best to use it as a catalyst to positively address the systemic inequalities highlighted.

Working with member bodies, the BEF worked through each of the recommendations to identify short, medium and long-term headline actions and made commitments towards embedding inclusive practices which are outlined in the response document.

 

Download the #HorsesForAll response report

A summary of the research into underrepresented communities conducted by AKD Solutions, their recommendations and BEF commitments.

Next steps

British Equestrian have started work on a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which will drive internal change. Concurrently, a wider Equality Diversity Inclusion strategy will be developed around culture, education and empowerment.

This is just the beginning of the journey towards building a more inclusive equestrian community that is reflective of Great Britain.

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