ABRS+ Annual Conference to focus on equine wellbeing at riding schools

The Association of British Riding Schools, Livery Yards and Riding Establishments (ABRS+) has announced details of its 2025 Annual Conference, ‘Equine Wellbeing at the Heart of Riding Schools’. The event takes place on 20 October 2025 at Brooksby Hall in Leicestershire.

With horse welfare in the spotlight following the Paris Olympics, the programme will combine keynote sessions, expert panels and practical demonstrations, all aligned to the Five Domains Model and the Charter for the Horse.

Key highlights include:

• Keynote: Olympic dressage rider Dane Rawlins, whose career spans competing, international judging and developing riders such as Tina Cooke.
• Round-table: Ben Mayes (ABRS+ Trustee and Veterinarian), Roly Owers OBE (CEO, World Horse Welfare), and Lisa Ashton (Equitation Science Expert, Equicoach. Life) on welfare science and ethics.
• Applied learning: Demonstrations from Catherine Baker (President, Master Saddlers) and Louise Fitton (Operations Manager, Ryders Farm Equestrian Centre), plus Lisa Ashton’s An Ethical Approach to Horse Training.
• Presentations: Jim Eyre (British Equestrian Federation), Kate Hayward-Smith (Nutrition Advisor, SPILLERS) and Claire Dickie (Centre Manager, World Horse Welfare Somerset Centre).

Chair Jane Williams will open the day, setting the tone for an agenda designed to support riding schools in placing equine welfare at their core. Delegates will also benefit from networking, exhibitor access and CPD certification.

For more details and to register, visit: www.abrs-info.org/conference-2025