Getting back in saddle to boost the Yorkshire economy

Both keen riders, they want to encourage others to enjoy the Yorkshire landscapes from horseback.

"I only took up riding in my late 50s," said John Yeomans, chairman of Visit York. "It's been a fantastic experience to learn about horses and explore new parts of the region."

An inaugural meeting drew support from a range of land management and tourism agencies. 'Ride Yorkshire' will promote and develop leisure riding across Yorkshire for people at all levels of ability.

"Having recently returned to riding after a long break, I'm typical of all the 'dormant' riders out there," said Janet Cochrane, of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University.

"Since getting back in the saddle, I've had some fabulous times on the Moors and the Wolds – and after a week in the office, it's a brilliant way of getting out in the fresh air."

The association will promote safe and scenic trail-rides, encourage accommodation owners to provide facilities for horses as well as riders, and support entrepreneurs to reach fresh markets and set up new equestrian holidays and activities.

The team points out that many opportunities already exist but they are rarely promoted as packages.

In the next few weeks, 'Ride Yorkshire' will hold focus group sessions with riding centres to discuss the best ways of supporting them.

Other ideas will be to gather data on Yorkshire's equestrian assets and on the market: a lot is known about the economic impacts of racing, for example, but much less about leisure riding.

Yet riding centres are often located in rural areas, and money spent there can boost the local economy, while there are also diversification opportunities for farmers.

Meanwhile, for riders – beginners or experienced – riding has tremendous health benefits.

There is no reason Yorkshire should not become the premier equestrian tourism destination in the UK, say Janet and John. Anybody interested should email [email protected] or contact Janet on 01759 368303/07773 422413, or John on 01653 648549/07776 167120.