Star-studded tour attracts equine newcomers

This year’s ‘Take Up the Reins Tour of Great Britain’ has attracted more than 3,300 potential horse riders, with events exploring the benefits of taking up riding.

The campaign, backed by stars such as TV presenter Kate Humble and Coronation Street’s Claire King, held 18 events over 31 days. Using mechanical horses, called RoboCob and Trigger, the events encouraged people of all ages to #GetHorsey.

Beginning in March, Take Up the Reins visited locations across Britain and attracted endorsements from athletes such as Daley Thompson and Beth Tweddle.

One event teamed up with Kate Humble’s annual Humble by Nature Big Day Out at her Wye Valley farm, while Countryfile’s Adam Henson tried out RoboCob at an event in Gloucestershire. Avid rider, soap actress Claire King, also backed the campaign: “When I’m really busy and things start to get stressful, I saddle up and go for a ride, just me and a horse– you can’t beat it!”

Devised by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), the Take Up the Reins tour aimed to promote the benefits of horse riding regardless of age or ability. “Seeing Charlotte Dujardin and Nick Skelton win gold medals at the Rio Olympics is encouraging for those who have thought of riding but never tried it,” said BETA executive director, Claire Williams, “The Take Up the Reins Tour has made thousands of people aware of the possibilities.”