Ilam park visitors #GetHorsey

Teacher Tom Wright, watched on by his children, Ariana, five, and Raya, two, took the opportunity to get a feel for life in the saddle when the Take up the Reins campaign visited Ilam Park, encouraging visitors to #GetHorsey.


Mechanical horse RoboCob joined in one of the National Trust venue near Ashbourne’s summer Sporty Days as part of the initiative to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with horses by riding, volunteering to help out at local equine charities or attending horsey events to show their support.
Everyone who had a ride received a goody bag with a booklet containing helpful hints for those thinking of taking up horse riding, a £10 Equine Taster Experience voucher to put towards a riding session and a coupon that can be exchanged for a free pair of riding gloves when buying a first pair of jodhpurs and boots.


 “We were thrilled with the tremendous response from families,” said Take up the Reins coordinator Tina Hustler. “Everybody loved RoboCob and it was wonderful to see the smiles on the children's faces as they experienced their first-ever canter. Horse riding is a great activity for people of all ages and from different backgrounds.”


The Take up the Reins campaign was devised by the British Equestrian Trade Association and supported by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) to encourage greater equestrian participation among people of all ages and backgrounds.


For further information, visit takeupthereins.co.uk.
Photograph: Tom Wright and children Ariana and Raya.

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES...
Contact: Deborah Hayward, BETA Press Officer
Email: deborahh@beta-int.com
Telephone: 01765 635314/07812 374264