MARCH 7, 2008: Members of the Equestrian Access Forum have presented Jonathan Shaw,Minister for the Horse Industry, with a petition calling for increasedequestrian access.
Graham Cory, Chairman of the Equestrian Access Forum, and Forum members Caroline Clayden, Catriona Cook and Mark Weston handed over the petition which is signed by more than 23,000 concerned equestriansThe petition stated: “More opportunities for off-road horse riding and driving are needed now. We ask the Government to deliver a comprehensive network of off-road horse riding and driving routes now.”Mr Weston, the BHS’s Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: “This petition demonstrates the groundswell of support from grass-roots riders who are concerned at the lack of provision for equestrians in our Rights of Way Network.“Government and Local Authorities must think about and provide for the needs of equestrians in the same way as they do walkers and cyclists.’For further information and pictures, please contact: Hannah Brown, Executive, Access and Publications, The British Horse Society, 01926 707813 or h.brown@bhs.org.uk
