Calls for law change to save riding schools
The Government has been warned centres may not survive any future restrictions if the rule on indoor arenas remains
CAMPAIGNERS for riding schools are calling on the Government to amend the law in relation to indoor schools, or risk mass closures should restrictions tighten again.
Pammy Hutton, of the
Talland School of Equitation, Gloucestershire, and Tim Downes of Ingestre Stables, Staffordshire, have written to MPs to “highlight the extreme plight of riding schools in England, which are currently being victimised by legislation that is not in line with other industries and commercial ventures”.
H&H has reported on the perceived inconsistency of Government coronavirus legislation, under which initially last year, indoor arena use was banned in line with that of other indoor sports facilities.
The Government then agreed that owing to their agricultural and airy nature, indoor arenas counted as outdoors for the purposes of the law, but in the legislation announced days before the 29 March sport restart date, this had changed.
It is hoped indoor arenas will be allowed to fully open on 17 May, but Pammy and Tim, who have been campaigning for full use to be allowed on behalf of riding schools, are concerned about possible future restrictions.
“If legislation does not alter and the allocation of funding is not re-evaluated, if further restrictions become necessary, there will be no facilities left in England for the general public to participate in recreational riding,” the letter states.
Pammy told H&H that although she is hopeful of a 17
May reopening, she is taking nothing for granted, especially given the new Indian variant of Covid-19.
“I won’t rest until the law is changed,” she said.
“Let’s say 17 May comes and everything goes back to normal, but what if what happened last year happens again?” she asked.
“We’re still just about in the place we were last year and I’m not waiting until September to find that law’s still there.”
Pammy is hopeful the letter will get to high places as Tim Warren, a former council leader who now runs Shelford Warren, helping clients “navigate national and local government”, has flagged it to MP Jacob Rees-Mogg and chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Mr Warren, who was alerted to the issue by his friend and Badminton course-builder Eric Winter’s wife Lizzel, told H&H Mr Rees-Mogg is his MP.
“He’s very helpful and diligent, and will always do what he can,” said Mr Warren, who also runs a business importing and selling young horses. “MPs get thousands of emails but I can ring Jacob and hopefully he’ll pass it on.
“It seems ridiculous you can go into shops but not indoor arenas, and if I can help, I will.”
Defra and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport refused to comment.