BWEF Policy Statment

Representation and Participation of Western Equestrianism and Western Breeds in the Formal British Equestrian Structure AQHA-UK Council Statement -- November 2007 Western Equestrianism in the UK has grown significantly in recent years and a sizeable community now exists with a number of well established associations.  However, with the exception of British Reining representing Reining as an official FEI Discipline and some of the Breed associations at the BHS, there is no recognition, representation or participation in the formal British equestrian structure. The AQHA-UK Council believes such representation and participation is long overdue and increasingly important.  The issue is not about funding but about involvement with other groups and in national strategies and development initiatives.  Benefits are long term and derive from being formally and properly recognised in the system.  Recognition will finally provide Western Equestrianism with the status it so rightly deserves.  In late 2006 an informal approach by WES regarding possible membership of the BEF, whilst not rejected outright, was turned away with a plea for the western community to settle for representation through British Reining.  Since then BEF and BR have issued a formal invitation to AQHA-UK and other associations to affiliate to BR.  A letter from the BEF Chief Executive, however, made it clear that such affiliation to BR would not provide actual membership of the BEF nor representation/participation in the formal structure but would simply result in our membership numbers being included in statistics.  This falls far short of the aspiration we hold for full and proper recognition and involvement. The AQHA-UK Council is pleased and proud that Reining already is officially represented.  We fully endorse and support the status of BR as a full member of the BEF and would like to thank BEF/BR for the invitation to affiliate to BR. We do not, however, feel that representation of the wider western equestrian community through a minority single focus group is an appropriate way forward into the future.  Council has considered all the options available to us including doing nothing, the BEF/BR invitation to affiliate to BR, alternative affiliation arrangements, and the concept of our own western equestrian federation. Council is firmly of the view that western equestrianism needs to be put firmly on the map and that the interests of the QH, the Association, its members and wider western equestrianism in this country are all best served by the development and ultimate official recognition of a western equestrian federation with an overall responsibility and focus on the promotion of the western equestrianism and western breeds and their representation and participation in the formal British equestrian structure. Council policy is thus to continue the work started earlier this year to develop a strong and proactive western federation with other like minded organisations.  We recommend that all members and all other western equestrian and western breed associations support that objective. AQHA-UK Council

 

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