ACCESS to safer off road riding and lower rates for riding stables are among the requests being drawn up by the British Horse Society for the next government.

With a General Election looming, the BHS is calling on the incoming government to consider the needs of the equestrian industry. Issues of particular concern include equestrian qualifications. The BHS wants it to become a requirement that all riding instructors hold recognised qualifications and that the Government should help fund training.

It also wants the next government to ease rates on riding establishments to bring them in line with new stables and also to include zero rating on premises used for horse breeding to enable Britain to compete with other European countries.

The BHS is also calling for the Government to put pressure on local authorities to fulfil their statutory duties with regard to rights of way and to encourage the creation of multi user routes. It also wants riders to be able to use cycleways. In a bid to cut the number of road accidents, the BHS also wants the Government to encourage riders to pass their BHS Riding and Road Safety test and also to provide funding for the test.