Sale of forests would have ‘catastrophic effect on riders’

The British Horse Society has added its weight to the fight and says that equestrian access to thousands of acres of England’s forests could be lost if public forests are sold off.

Currently, horse riders have access to just 22 per cent of public rights of way and drivers of horse-drawn vehicles just five per cent, so the loss of any other safe, off-road riding opportunities in our forests would be devastating if access is not preserved, says the BHS.

The Forestry Commission’s forests provide a vast amount of safe off-road riding which is becoming increasingly important as local roads become busier and less safe for riding. Cyclists are similarly concerned about the impact the sale will have on them.

Mark Weston, the BHS’s director of access, safety and welfare, said: “If there is to be a sale of any forest, it is important that access for equestrians is secured for future generations before any such sale takes place – if that cannot be assured, then we would oppose any such sale vigorously.”

The Government has claimed that public access would be protected when the forests are sold. However, this may not be the case where horse riders and cyclists are concerned. According to recent reports, around 15 per cent of the land being sold would not have the same guarantees of access that it has at the moment.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) can sell 15 per cent of the public forest estate in England without legislation. A consultation process concerning the disposal of the remaining 85 per cent will run until April 21.

“Now is the time for riders to make their voices heard,” said Mark Weston. “It is important that all equestrians respond to the consultation to ensure that access to our forests is preserved.”

Catriona Cook, who is the BHS regional access and bridleways officer for Yorkshire, believes the sale of forestry land would have a “catastrophic effect” on riders.

“As riders, we seem to be the forgotten people,” said Catriona. “A lot of forestry land is in small parcels but this is vital to riders and to people who drive horses.”

She has been working with the Forestry Commission at Cropton near Pickering, for example, to re-introduce legal rights of way for riders along ancient tracks. Putting something like this back on the map, she believes, would be impossible if the forest is sold.

Anybody who would like to be kept up to date with the BHS campaign should email [email protected]. The consultation can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/forests/index.htm.

BEN MAHER celebrated his 28th birthday in Zurich at the weekend with his outstanding horse, Robin Hood W, proving he was back on top form. Even though Germany’s Marcus Ehning took first place with Noltes Kuchengirl, Maher was delighted with the way Robin Hood W tackled the course to finish second in the ninth leg of the World Cup.

The 12-fence course was unrelenting, with seven riders making it through to the jump-off. Maher could have been forgiven for holding back with the 13-year-old Robin Hood, who has only just returned to action but he gave it his best shot to race into second place in a time of 42.10secs.

The horse was off form last summer so was given a long break from competing. “He was never lame but he wasn’t happy and the vets decided he needed a few months break mentally, so I went with that because he’s too good a horse not to give him every chance,” said Maher. “We decided to give him a longer break and he’s come back in flying form now.”

The series heads for Bordeaux on Saturday and then Vigo, Spain and Gothenburg later in February, followed by the final qualifying opportunity in The Netherlands in March. Germany, the host nation, is in a strong position with Ehning’s result bringing their record to five wins from nine qualifiers.

MORGAN KENT, 23, from Wetherby won at the British Showjumping Business Partnership Winter Novice qualifier at Arena UK in Lincolnshire.

A total of 79 riders were competing for the two qualifying places and 32 of them managed to jump clear to go through to the jump-off but only 14 riders made it through to the next round.

Morgan, riding her seven-year-old dark bay gelding, Remi Delux, managed to shave just under a second off Olivia Dales’s time to win the competition with a time of 31.89secs.

STEPHANIE ASQUITH, who works at The Blue Barn near Otley, has been named as the best equine specialist of the year by AMTRA (Animal Medicines Training Authority). Following recent exams, Stephanie was awarded the Battles Cup for being the UK’s best new ‘suitably qualified person’ specialising in equine health.pn.co.uk.

n Don’t miss Country Week inside Saturdays’s Yorkshire Post for more equestrian news, views and sales.