Report - Section 2.6

2.6   Key findings/issues

• 2.4 million people enjoy riding in the UK each year. This represents 4.5% of the population. There are nearly one million horses in the country.
• Horse riding is ranked 18th out of the full range of sports, games and physical activities. However, riders who participate regularly do so almost as frequently as walkers.
• The national picture for riding is misleading for the South East. Riders are more strongly represented in the region. Household participation in horse riding in the South East is almost 50% higher than the rest of the country.
• Within the study area, there is a riding population of around 6,600 ie 7.4% of the population. This is even higher than the national figure of 4.5% and there is evidence of continued growth in the region and local area.