National Riding Festival gets going

The National Riding Festival has got off to a great start this month in its quest to continue introducing new and lapsed riders to the saddle. This year, there is particular emphasis on continued support from organisations to maintain the momentum of the Festival.

Now in its sixth consecutive year, the National Riding Festival has successfully introduced thousands of people to horse riding, giving the sport the high profile and recognition it deserves.

Riding schools across the country have opened their doors to support the Festival by offering discounted riding lessons to new and lapsed riders. This includes the ‘Take a Friend Riding’ initiative, where regular riders at participating riding centres can take a friend riding for half price – providing the perfect opportunity to introduce someone you know who’s never ridden before to have a go at this fun and exhilarating sport.

Nearly 100 riding schools have put their support behind this initiative and it has already kicked off with resounding success, bringing many new riders to these establishments.

It also provides the perfect opportunity for participating riding schools to re-address their own promotional activity by holding open days and offering discounted first lessons for new riders with the Festival’s voucher scheme.

Other elements of the campaign this year include a radio promotion, set to go ahead during August, which was run for the first time last year, linking the participating riding schools to local radio stations.

The National Riding Festival is targeting the one million children (and their parents) who are interested in riding, and the 800,000 lapsed riders who want in taking up the reins again.

Over the past five years, over 20,000 people have sat on a horse for the first time, thanks to the Festival.

For further information about the National Riding Festival call 0870 241 1481 or visit www.nationalridingfestival.co.uk

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