Telephone: (01736) 369440
Examinations/Tests: (01736) 365777
Fax: (01736) 351390

7he National Organisation for Professional Proprietors
Member of CCPR
Please address enquiries to the General Secretary

Lord Burns
PO Box 31010
London SW1 H 9ZL
14 February 2000

Dear Lord Burns

I am writing to you in my capacity as Chairman of the only organisation of professional riding school proprietors in the UK. As such, I represent a part of the equestrian industry which has been struggling financially since the imposition of the UK Business Rate in the early 1990's.

Within the riding school environment, livery for hunting and the hire of horses for hunting in many rural (and urban) areas is an essential part of business. The loss of this part of the business would be yet another blow to this industry.

You may not be aware that this Association, on behalf of the equestrian industry, recently completed a survey of riding schools. It pointed in its findings a dramatic decline in the number of schools in business, for example more than a third have closed in Scotland. The main factors for this decline, apart from the Uniform Business Rate are:

i) Increased cost of District Council Licensing fees

ii) Dramatic rise in veterinary fees

iii) Spiralling insurance premiums

iv) The cost of imposing new Health & Safety requirements and have all made life almost unbearable for our proprietors.

The removal of the hunting income from our businesses will add yet another nail in the coffin and most certainly will lead to further unemployment.

Surely the banning of hunting is against the principle that the Englishman should be at liberty to follow his chosen sport.

Yours sincerely

Pauline B Harris FABRS

Chairman Association of British Riding Schools

Back to top

Date uploaded to site 11 May 2000