FAQ

MBBA’s principal purpose is to preserve, maintain and increase the number of safe, off-road routes available to horse-riders, carriage-drivers and cyclists across the 69 parishes of Mendip. In addition to providing a range of membership services the MBBA’s constitution sets out its corporate objects as being:

a. To protect and preserve the character and status of Mendip’s green ways for the safe use and enjoyment of the widest number of supported users.

b. To advertise the existence of the tracks, droves and other ridden paths and to seek to develop them into linking and circular routes for horse-riders, cyclists and carriage-drivers.

c. To promote horse-riding, cycling and carriage-driving as safe and healthy leisure activities for all ages and backgrounds.

The MBBA’s annual programme typically includes:

a. MBBA try to run two fun rides each year open to all comers,  with discounted fees for MBBA members. In 2011 the rides attracted entries from former Avon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Wiltshire in addition to Somerset and average numbers exceeded 160. By kind permission of Mr Michael Eavis CBE the successful September ride took place over the Glastonbury Festival site.

b. Two or three expert demonstrations of riding techniques (such as natural horsemanship, side-saddle, showing, jumping and dressage) and horse-care developments.

c. Two or three guided visits to places of equine interest, such as the Paul Nicholls racing yard at Ditcheat and Horseworld at Bristol. 

d. A specialist veterinary presentation on a topical problem such as Strangles or Equine Ulcers.

e. Fun events such as equine jumble sales, quiz nights, brains trusts and soup lunches.

a. The MBBA is run by a committee of ten volunteers and there are no paid officers. Members contribute however and wherever they can; for example, in 2011 eleven MBBA members served as stewards during the Glastonbury Festival and donated their earnings to the MBBA.

b. Fund-raising is vital to the MBBA because contractors need to be regularly employed to re-open and maintain some of Mendip’s ‘lost ways’ where the work is beyond a volunteer clearance party. MBBA has a strong working relationship with Somerset County Council on a number of projects and is very grateful for the collaboration, however, the Council does not have a maintenance liability for all of the old routes and so improvements are carried out wherever the MBBA budget will stretch. MBBA also pays the costs of supporting relevant public inquiries into the opening of some of Mendip’s ridden paths. This process alone can run into several thousands of pounds but tends to take place over a period of years.

c. We also receive some funding from The British Horse Society Access Fund for certain projects and local Parish Councils, who will often contribute when work is carried out in their Parish.

Horse-riding as a hobby and sport is increasing in popularity across the country in leaps and bounds. Because Somerset is blessed with plenty of pasture and wonderful countryside the numbers of horse-riders and horses are constantly increasing and the ‘horse industry’ is one of the fastest growing land-based activities in the country today. Healthy outdoor pursuits that develop a sense of care and responsibility while making friends and having fun must be at the top of anyone’s agenda. Working with and riding horses is recognised as being particularly therapeutic and forms an important part of helping the disabled, the disadvantaged and, increasingly, the disaffected. It is an activity that can include all the family. Keeping a horse requires commitment and so horse owners are usually hard working, good humoured and pragmatic!

Some Statistics

• 3.5 million people (6% of the GB population) have ridden a horse at least once in the past 12 months.

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• Leisure riding is the most common equestrian pursuit, though riding lessons and non-affiliated competing has also increased  

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• Of riders who ride once a week or less, 46% citied access to safe off-road riding as a factor that would increase their riding opportunities.

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• Only 22 percent of the 188,700 kilometres of Public Rights of Way in England carry rights for horse riders.  This is a disgrace and will hinder the growth of riding as a ‘sport for all’.

An online survey by Horse & Hound found that 34 percent of respondents do not really have any local bridleways. 18 percent said their local bridleways were verging on or are dangerous. 35 percent said ‘they could be worse’. 12 percent thought their local bridleways were ‘brilliant’. Only one percent said they did not hack.

Shortages of places to go riding and/or lack of opportunity are identified as the deterrents for greater participation in equestrian leisure.

MBBA welcomes anyone who supports its corporate objects. Because it caters for horse-riders, cyclists and carriage-drivers its membership broadly falls into these three categories, albeit with horse-riders easily dominating. The MBBA offers a family membership option whereby family members living at the same address can join for a reduced fee. As a consequence there are some members who may not be current riders but who are supporting active family members, enjoy our events and offer to help wherever needed. MBBA works positively towards maintaining a friendly and enjoyable association that cares about its members and values their support.

Membership application forms are made available at all MBBA events and can be downloaded from the MBBA website (http://www.mbba.org.uk). Most Mendip tack and feed shops also display membership forms. Hard copy can also be obtained direct from the MBBA committee by contacting us directly.