British Riding Clubs - Equetech Bursary Finalists

VOTE FOR YOUR RIDING CLUB NOW *

Vote For Your Riding Club Now! Our judges have whittled down the finalists to these five worthy riding clubs for the public vote. Whether you want to support your local club, your region or the riding club's plan if they win the bursary, this is the place to cast your vote. 

Don't forget to share - there can only be one winner!!

Voting will close 01. 08.25 11.59 GMT. One vote per person. 

Find out more about each of the club finalists below!


Witheridge and District Riding Club

 

I think Witheridge Riding Club deserve to win because the members regularly participate in training of all disciplines organised by the Club, and subsequently compete in Area qualifiers, often to qualify for the BRC Championships. 

 

Non competing members are also very welcome at all training events and often join in too. Witheridge have been very successful at Championships, and usually are in the ribbons, and they even produce fabulous Quadrille performances! 

 

The Club supports members competing at champs and team members also organise various fundraisers towards costs of travelling and stables etc, they work very hard to run events such as members competitions, informative talks, social events like ferret racing, and even raffles. There is a fabulous sense of team spirit and many members enjoy getting involved. 

 

I think the prize money would be wonderful reward and could be used to subsidise some of the Club training to benefit both competing and non competing members, and help towards some team costs, perhaps to provide WRC branded saddlecloths and clothing to look super smart and uniformed.




Gipping Riding Society

 

Gipping riding society is the best! I was a member 35 years ago and when my daughter started riding four years ago it was the first club I joined her, as they offer mini member training sessions.

 

It was a lovely way for her to start her pony riding journey and make friends. I have since started riding again after 20 years and went to the club's summer camp. This allowed me to get back into riding and meet new friends and also meet up with old friends I rode with years ago. 

 

The club has encouraged Harriet's and my riding club journey culminating in us both riding at the Winter Dressage Championship in the Gru and the minions quadrille ride. To be able to ride under the spotlights with my daughter and two other fabulous Gipping ladies is something I will hold dear for a long time. 

 

With Gipping it really is about the fun, we had so much support, lots dressed as minions! So for me Gipping really is the best, the best for the younger members, the improvers, the competitive members, the members who want to ride with like-minded riders! 

 

It is a club that supports and encourages all it's members whatever their personal goals are, exactly what a riding club should be!!




Mid Sussex Riding Club

We are a small, friendly riding club that prides itself on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our members. Despite our size, we have been performing exceptionally well in competitions, showcasing the talent and dedication of our riders and volunteers. We have recently been extremely fortunate to win at the National Championships, all of which was self-funded without sponsorship.

 

As a committee we are made up of a true mix of different ages, rider abilities and a passion for a variety of equestrian disciplines. This varied team allows us to make sure we are offering opportunities for all our members as well as the encouragement to new people joining. Members are not pressured to compete or to be part of a team event but can take part in as many or as few or our training opportunities as they like.

 

What truly sets our club apart is our keen sense of community and support. 

 

We are deeply committed to encouraging riders of all levels, offering everyone the opportunity to grow, gain experience, and compete as part of a team. Whether someone is just starting out or aiming for higher levels, they will find the support and encouragement they need here.

 

We previously have supported our members with talks and training around Dressage to Music as per member feedback and this year we are looking to run sessions to help upskill our members in stewarding and dressage writing for those who have fed back that they haven’t felt confident to volunteer at club events as they are unsure of how to do these things to fully perform such task on the day of an event. We hope this will help our members to then become more immersed in our events as a club as they will have the skills to be further involved in more than competing as well as being able to encourage others.

 

Over the rest of the year, we will be looking at adding more Biomechanic riding lessons, welfare talks and Mechanical horse sessions into our calendar. 

 

We particularly like the ability to include the Mechanical horse as this opens our training to those whose horses may currently be out of action or they themselves do not have a horse of their own to ride frequently.

 

A bursary would help us continue to provide these valuable opportunities, support our teams, and ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of participation and progress. With your help, we can continue to thrive and support the equestrian journey of every rider who joins us.

We thank you for your consideration.

 

The team and members of Mid-Sussex Riding Club.




Cwmaman Riding Club

 

Nestled in the heart of the Welsh valleys, Cwmaman Riding Club is more than just a place for horse lovers — it’s a thriving community that brings people together through a shared passion for horses, friendship, and personal growth.



Founded on the values of inclusivity, support, and opportunity, our club opens its arms to riders of all backgrounds and abilities. From the young child meeting their first pony to the retired rider returning to the saddle, Cwmaman is where confidence is built, skills are sharpened, and memories are made. We are proudly run by volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to creating a warm, welcoming environment for everyone.


In recent years, we’ve worked tirelessly to grow the club, organizing affordable clinics, friendly competitions, and educational events to encourage continuous learning. Every penny we raise is poured back into the club to improve facilities, keep entry fees low, and ensure our events are accessible to all — especially during these challenging financial times when so many are struggling.


A £500 bursary would make a real difference. It would allow us to:
• Subsidize entry fees for young or disadvantaged riders,
• Invest in safer, more durable equipment for our shows and training days,
• Fund educational sessions that promote horse welfare and responsible riding.
We believe in the power of horses to change lives. Whether it’s helping someone overcome anxiety, inspiring a child to set goals, or simply giving someone a place to belong — that’s the true magic of Cwmaman Riding Club.


We’re not the biggest or the most well-funded. But what we have in abundance is heart, dedication, and a deep belief in the difference our club makes every day. 
Thank you for considering us.


Quantock Riding Club

 

We are a small Club located in the heart of the Quantocks in Somerset. Currently we offer a training programme for all our members and have lessons every week for all disciplines with excellent instructors and venues. 

 

Our club is renowned for its 'family' approach in welcoming new, old and existing members to all events - our ethos is to have fun! Our training has supported members in achieving many aspirational goals for those that want to compete at National Championships to just wanting to become more confident in hacking out. 

 

We have had success at representing the club at many BRC National Championships - our members love to wear our QRC colours at these events. We are one BIG family supporting each other. 

 

Our lessons are subsidised so that people have the chance to have a regular training. It would be great to get an additional funding to support this as we could offer lots more to our members. As a club we try and support our members, and this would mean that we could continue to do this. 

 

We pay for the entry fee to all championships that the club qualify for - this year we have qualified for Dressage, Horse Trials, Arena Eventing and Showjumping. As a club we also host unmounted training – we are not just about riding. 

 

Our non-riding club members (the helpers) love to join in these events. We have an annual beach ride on Brean Sands, which many members love to come along to with their partners and family - we have mulled wine and mince pies at the end.

 

The opportunity of having an additional £500 cash boost would be amazing. It would be great for QRC to continue supporting our members on their 'horse' journey.