The British Horse Society (BHS) is delighted to have signed a new agreement with British Equestrian to access funding from Sport England’s partner investment scheme, supporting its Active Bridleways Project – a vital programme helping to protect England’s off-road access network and preserve safer rights of way for equestrians and wider communities.
The 12-month award, running until 31 March 2027, will support the delivery of additional bridleway and byway applications across England that are currently missing from the Definitive Map, as well as the training of 20 new Historical Research volunteers.
Protecting safe off-road riding
Safe off-road riding remains in short supply in many areas of England, with riders often having limited alternatives to busy roads. This makes protecting and expanding the existing rights of way network particularly important for horse owners.
Access to good off-road riding is also one of the key factors many horse owners consider when choosing a yard. Being able to ride directly from a yard onto a network of safe routes can make a significant difference to the experience of owning a horse, while a lack of suitable hacking can be a major drawback when choosing where to keep a horse.
The Active Bridleways Project is helping to address this issue by identifying and researching historic routes that are not currently recorded on the Definitive Map. Once successfully recorded, these routes become a permanent part of the public rights of way network, helping to protect valuable access for future generations.
Over the past eight years, the BHS has made significant progress, with more than 4,400 applications made across the country. However, there is still a huge amount of research to be done, with many historic routes yet to be investigated.
The new funding will help volunteers continue this important work, while also providing them with the skills and confidence needed to progress applications and navigate the appeals process with local authorities where necessary.
Alongside in-person training and webinars, new online training resources will be developed based on the Restoring the Record programme. These will help equip both new and existing BHS volunteers with the knowledge they need to identify, record and protect historic rights of way.
Benefits for all
The routes protected through this work will provide essential links within England’s often fragmented rights of way network. They can create safer opportunities for horse riders, walkers and cyclists, while providing free access to the countryside, opportunities for active travel and the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors.
For equestrians, improving connectivity between existing routes can also open up longer and more varied rides, helping to reduce reliance on roads and making areas more attractive places to keep and enjoy horses.
Every route successfully identified and protected is an investment in the future of off-road access. With many riders still facing a shortage of safe hacking, the continued work of the Active Bridleways Project will help safeguard valuable routes and ensure they remain available for generations to come.