FAQ

How much is membership?

It’s £20 to join UWE Riding as a recreational rider, and £75 to compete with BUCS. You will also need to purchase a Sports Fee for £20 which will provide you insurance when doing any sports activity with UWE.

What’s included in membership?

Discounted lessons, discounted hacks, discount at our kind sponsors, Field & Tack Equestrian, and a huge variety of trips and socials organised for you.

I don’t have a horse, does this matter?

Definitely not! We ride every Wednesday at Summerhouse Equestrian Centre in Gloucester, where we have lessons on the riding school horses. We share lifts (£3 petrol money to the driver) so it doesn’t even matter if you can’t drive there yourself! The Committee will arrange lifts for you.

I’ve never ridden before, is that ok?

Of course! Many of our members had never ridden before joining the Riding Club and Summerhouse Equestrian Centre is well adapted to teaching beginners. Similarly, if you’re an experienced rider, Summerhouse Equestrian Centre has a variety of horses to suit all abilities.

What standard do I have to ride at to compete with BUCS?

For those who don’t know much about BUCS competitions they consist of a dressage test, which is around Novice level at BD and an equitation style jumping round; the fences are around 2ft6-2ft9, both which focus very much on the influence of the rider, so collectives are more important than ever.

The team is made up by individuals of all kinds of discipline backgrounds and at different levels. Whilst it is important that you have some experience it is equally important or more so your ability to get on any horse and to have a good sense of feel and get that horse working at its best. Its all about adapting swiftly, as you only have 7 minutes to warm up in the dressage and 5 minutes for the jumping.

You will ride a range of horses who come from various backgrounds and aren’t going to be grand prix horses or Grade A’s, so it is important that you can get on any horses and know how to improve it and get it working properly.

I didn’t get into the BUCS Team/I’ve never competed but want to have a go

UWE Riding Club recreational membership gives you the opportunity to compete at Friendlies League. It is the same layout as BUCS. We travel to other universities and host a home competition. To compete with the Friendlies team, you must be able to ride a prelim/novice dressage test and jump 2’6-2’9. We’ll be looking out for team mates during lessons but do mention to us if you are interested in joining the team! We also host horse riding’s Varsity against the University of Bristol, which members are encouraged to trial for.

I want to take my horse to UWE with me, where do you recommend I stable him/her?

You lucky thing! Take a look at the Bristol & South West Horse Information Group on Facebook and ask there; the 10,000+ members will be able to advise on yards local to campus that have vacancies, and that are recommended (or otherwise!). Also considering working livery, loaning or turning away whilst you’re studying at Bristol if you can’t bring him or her with you – don’t immediately think you need to sell your best friend! Feel free to contact me regarding your horse’s options as I know how difficult it can be. Alternatively, check out my guide, “What To Do With Your Horse Whilst Studying at University?“. I made this as a comprehensive list of possible solutions.