Report - Section 7.1

7.1   A project officer to develop riding in the area

Within East Sussex, there is no co-ordination of equestrian interests or point of contact who can offer information, knowledge or support in this specialised field. HWBH has made a start in identifying relevant information, supporting arguments and key requirements but there are limitations on a voluntary group.

HWBG has proposed that an equestrian Project Manager is needed in East Sussex to work on all these different perspectives and help to improve access²⁸. This PM could help to bring all the different interests together and co-ordinate strategy and action including fund-raising etc. This has been done to considerable effect in Yorkshire and the RES Scheme there is waiting to be rolled out across the country.

A key role will be to work with other agencies and initiatives eg:

• Equestrian interests and development have been written into the RES Document by SEEDA and there is much support for developing an Equestrian Partnership across the South East Region.
• The Rural Ways Officer (within SEETB) is a regional post funded by DEFRA over three years to develop sustainable tourism for all levels of user, walker, cyclist and horse-rider. The South East Walks Partnership is a well established partnership with a remit to develop the South East of England as a high quality walking destination. Rural Ways will transform the partnership, with RES support, to:
  • Embrace cycling and horse-riding activities;
  • More fully engage with local businesses;
  • Take an integrated approach to the research, development and management of the walking, cycling and horse-riding tourism product in co-operation with local enterprises;
  • Raise visitor awareness of the unique features of rural byways;
  • Raise business awareness of the countryside as a unique asset;
  • Raise participation in countryside enjoyment amongst socially excluded and disabled groups.

SEETB has already been approached by farmers eager to set up facilities and for the first time equestrian interests are an expressed element in the brief. The identification of Community Circuits fits within this framework, involving all the other South Eastern Counties.

• Wealden District Council has appointed an Assistant Tourism Officer with responsibility for developing special product tourism eg equestrianism and is working with other agencies to deliver routes and publicity on equestrian routes. HWBG is working closely with this project.
• The Rotherfield Community Tourism Project embraces most of the issues raised in this report and has gone a considerable distance in consultation and bid application for the infrastructure to support sustainable tourism for all levels of user. Difficulties over funding for path improvements are being addressed and once established this project could be applied in many parishes.
• The Wessex Ridgeway Leaderplus Project in Dorset is working towards similar aims and there may well be a beneficial exchange to be explored here. A Project Manager has been appointed and start-up funding appears to be in place.

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²⁸ The High Weald Unit could also help with GIS mapping.