Shetland Equestrian Facilities Working Group

Background Information

The Shetland Equestrian Facilities Working Group (SEFWG) was formed in October 2008 as a sub-group of the Equestrian Association of Shetland.  It is made up of representatives from equestrian groups throughout Shetland and all nine groups* signed the terms of reference.  The group has the following three main objectives:

• To investigate options for the long-term management and operation of an equestrian facility in Shetland.
• To co-ordinate the planning, design and funding of an equestrian facility in Shetland.
• To ensure regular consultation with and involvement of all parties who may be considered to have an interest in the development of such a facility.

( * Clickimin Open Riding Club, Dunrossness Riding Club, Equestrian Association of Shetland, Filsket Riding Club, Pony Breeders of Shetland Association, Shetland Pony Riding & Driving Group, Shetland Riding Club, South Whiteness Riding Club, Whalsay Riding Club)

For many years (decades even!) the equestrian community in Shetland has wished for a dedicated venue to hold activities and events on.  In the past we have relied on sympathetic landowners and dodged rabbit holes or used football pitches and caused uproar!

There is a large equestrian community in Shetland but the local environment makes it very difficult to make progress with any training.  There is little suitable land available which forces many participants onto the road.  The condition of any available land and weather are questionable throughout the year and lack of light adds to the disadvantages in winter.  Most riding clubs do not operate between September and May and many participants in the sport are unable to continue with their training during these months, or are further limited to riding on the roads.   There are very few qualified riding instructors in Shetland so we need to bring them up from South.  Regardless of the season, there is a high chance of wet weather and/or wet ground and therefore also a high chance of their time and our money being wasted.

Since 2006 the Shetland Islands Council has let us use the former hockey pitch at Seafield which has been fantastic.  The area is available to us from mid-April to mid-September.  It is a good sized area with a flat surface, there are changing rooms and toilets and ample parking.  We are also very grateful to SIC Sports & Leisure who have improved the facilities so that the park is now completely enclosed and has a hitching rail and outside tap.  Unfortunately, it now looks likely that we will lose this area as the SIC are planning to build the new Eric Gray Centre there.

In Spring 2008, Shetland Riding Club cleared an unused shed in Girlsta and set it up for use as an indoor school.  This has been very successful and enabled many activities which would not otherwise have taken place.  Unfortunately, the club only has temporary use of this shed and will probably have to give it up shortly.  However, it has clearly demonstrated how useful it is to have an indoor facility.

Our ideal venue would include a large indoor school with kitchen/meeting room, viewing gallery, toilets and storage facilities.  It would also have an outdoor area large enough to hold shows on and at least part of which would have an all-weather surface.  It would have suitable access and ample parking for vehicles, trailers and horseboxes.  There are huge physical, social and psycological benefits to taking part in equestrianism.  This kind of facility would allow for more frequent activities and events and therefore encourage participation.  It would increase the viability of bring qualified trainers to Shetland and therefore improve the skills of those taking part and give them the same opportunities as participants in the rest of the UK.  It is hoped that a Riding for the Disabled group will start up again in Shetland and a dedicated facility would be an enormous benefit.

We also envisage an indoor facility being of use to other groups such as archery, rugby, pipe band, dog club, etc.