Horse & Hound

Membership scheme aims to benefit all

Pay-monthly schemes, evolving on feedback, could help centres and riders

- By ELEANOR JONES

A NEW show centre membership scheme created to help boost income during the coronaviru­s pandemic could also benefit all parties once normality returns.

The College EC, Keysoe, has launched the scheme, by which members pay £120 per month for unlimited use of all facilities. The cost is per rider, not per horse. Centre owner Simon Bates told

H&H the idea became reality as Keysoe has lost so much income since lockdown started and sport stopped, but the concept is older.

“I wonder whether the suggested start date of 4 July for sport is a bit optimistic but whatever happens, we need other options to tide us over,” he said. “We were thinking about this, and had done bits before, as we had a girl who lived in the next village with a stable in the garden, and paid for a DIY box here but didn’t use it, she just used the facilities.

“This is based on the current government guidelines.”

Mr Bates said the idea may evolve, based on demand.

“I don’t play golf but am quite an expert in golf courses’ terms and conditions; you might get discounted entries if a club you’re a member of runs a competitio­n, and it seems to work for them.

“A lot depends on what members want; if they want a training show every Tuesday, we’ll put one on – we’ll tailor it.”

Mr Bates added that Nick Skelton’s “excellent” comment in H&H (opinion, 14 May) sparked talk about the future of the sport, which is positive, and such schemes could be part of that.

“The profession­als who pay a lot for hire jumped at this but I think it works all round,” he said.

“For local riders, it would be £1,400 per year; cheaper than putting an arena in, and with maintenanc­e and jumps.

“It fits the situation we’re in but I think it would also fit in a normal competitio­n schedule; I don’t think it’s a short-term idea.”

Eventer Anthony Clark told H&H he jumped at the idea.

“It would save me a fortune,” he said, explaining that he has been taking six horses at a time for hire, which costs £150 in one go.

“As soon as Simon put it out, I said, ‘I’ll pay now.’ I’ve got lovely owners but I’m sure they flinch at these costs with no competitio­ns on. It’s a no-brainer to me.”

Anthony said Mr Bates is “very good at listening to riders”.

He added: “I think we all need to work together and support each other, and all horsey people are having problems.

“This is expensive but they’ve stayed open, and Simon’s invested a huge amount in the centre in the last 18 months, and we want to keep our centres.”

Anthony is also a member of Bury Farm Equestrian Village, Bucks. The centre charges £5 for membership, for which riders claim discounts on class entry, facility hire and livery.

“We must support each other – and I’m open to paying for things to save money,” Anthony said.

 ??  ?? The Keysoe scheme covers hire of all facilities
The Keysoe scheme covers hire of all facilities

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