Horse Riding Clubs in the UK: Benefits and How to Join

The Benefits of Club Membership

Riding clubs provide a social community of like-minded horse enthusiasts, access to regular training and clinics, affordable group insurance, and a structured pathway into affiliated competition. For new horse owners especially, the support network and practical help available through a riding club can be invaluable in the early months of ownership.

British Horse Society (BHS) Riding Clubs

The BHS Riding Clubs network encompasses over 700 affiliated clubs across the UK, each offering a programme of activities including dressage, showjumping, cross-country, stable management lectures, and social events. BHS RC affiliation includes third party liability insurance, access to the national championships at Hartpury, and discounted BHS membership. Find your nearest club via the BHS website.

Pony Club

For riders under 25 with their own horses or ponies, Pony Club membership provides structured training from beginner to advanced level, a comprehensive testing system from D-test to A-test, access to national competitions in every equestrian discipline, and the unique camaraderie of the Pony Club community. Pony Club has shaped generations of the UK's finest riders.

Getting the Most from Club Membership

Attend training days regularly to develop your skills in a supported environment. Volunteer to help at club events — it is an excellent way to learn and to build relationships within the club. Take advantage of training clinics with visiting coaches, which clubs typically offer at subsidised rates for members. Set goals using the club competition and testing programme to give your training focus and direction.

Online Communities

UK equestrian Facebook groups, Horse and Hound forums, and local WhatsApp groups supplement physical club membership with immediate access to advice, secondhand equipment, and local knowledge. The UK equestrian community is generally generous with advice and support to those new to horse ownership.