ABRS+ Conference 2026 - Thriving Together: Horses, People & Business

Running a riding school has never been more challenging.

Balancing outstanding horse welfare, supporting staff and volunteers, meeting the expectations of increasingly demanding clients, and maintaining a sustainable business can feel like a constant juggling act.

The ABRS+ Annual Conference: Thriving Together: Horses, People & Business 2026 brings together riding school proprietors, managers, coaches and equestrian professionals for a practical, inspiring day focused on helping riding schools not just survive, but thrive.

This isn't a conference built around theory. It's built around real riding schools, real challenges and practical solutions that you can take home and put into practice immediately.

Why attend?

Throughout the day you'll hear from recognised experts and experienced riding school professionals on topics that matter most:

• Practical ways to improve horse welfare whilst running a busy commercial riding school.
• The latest learning from the ground-breaking ABRS+ Equicentric Futures Project, including what worked, what didn't, and what other centres can adopt.
• How biomechanics can improve comfort, performance and long-term soundness for both horses and riders.
• Building resilient teams through effective leadership, psychological safety and a culture of learning.
• Supporting staff wellbeing while protecting your own mental health as a proprietor.
• Managing difficult clients and parents professionally without compromising your standards.
• New initiatives from British Equestrian to support the future sustainability of riding schools.
• A unique ridden demonstration exploring communication, trust and partnership through bridleless riding.

Learn from those who've done it

You'll hear directly from award-winning coaches, riding schools that have successfully introduced change, industry specialists and national organisations who understand the realities of today's equestrian sector.

Rather than simply listening to presentations, you'll also take part in facilitated roundtable discussions where you'll have the opportunity to share experiences, discuss ideas with fellow professionals and leave with practical actions tailored to your own riding school.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Jane Williams (ABRS+ Chair)
• Sonya Campbell-Perry (Horse Scotland CEO)
• Lizzie Herron (The Equestrian Leadership Consultancy)
• Rebecca Gibson (British Equestrian)
• Chloe Tothill (ABRS+ Coach of the Year 2026)
• Clara Bruins (ABRS+ Special Recognition Award 2026)
• Georgie Wood (Freelance rider, coach & IRVAP-registered Veterinary Physiotherapist)
• Kat Sydenham (Livery Yard Diaries)
• Louise Buckner (ABRS+ Member Trustee and Founder of Island Riding)
• Claire Duffin (British Grooms & EEA)

We're also hoping to welcome Matt Sampson for our opening keynote, sharing his journey from riding school beginnings (Parklands Equestrian Centre, Sheffield an ABRS+ Member) to competing on the world stage.  If his competition commitments prevent him attending, the session will be delivered by another British Equestrian Team member, ensuring an inspiring start to the day.

You'll leave with...

• Practical ideas you can implement immediately.
• Greater confidence in balancing horse welfare with commercial reality.
• New approaches to leadership, staff wellbeing and client management.
• Fresh inspiration from colleagues facing the same challenges.
• Valuable new contacts from across the riding school community.

Whether you own a riding school, manage an equestrian centre, coach riders, work with horses professionally or support the equestrian sector, this conference will provide practical insight, meaningful discussion and renewed inspiration.

Because when horses thrive, people thrive—and businesses thrive too.

We look forward to welcoming you to Arena UK for what promises to be one of the most practical and thought-provoking ABRS+ conferences yet.

Tickets are available for:

• Sunday 1 November - Welcome and Dinner at the Belton Woods Hotel, Grantham
• Monday 2 November - Conference at Arena UK, Grantham

Our speakers will cover a swathe of issues that are highly relevant to Riding Schools, Livery Yards and Riding Establishments.  The full agenda is available https://www.abrs-info.org/events/conference-2026/