The British Horse Society is the largest and most influential equestrian charity in the UK. The BHS makes a positive impact on the lives of horses and horse owners with wide-ranging campaigns and initiatives across education, welfare, access, and safety. We represent the interests of the three million people in the UK who horse ride or drive horse-drawn vehicles.

The Access Fighting Fund helps safeguard the future ability of the BHS to defend against threats to equestrian rights of way, and ensures the Society is in a position to fight to save equestrian routes through legal action and at public inquiries and in court.

The fund is used to support our Access Officers and Affiliated Equestrian Access Groups who need legal representation at Definitive Map Modification Order Public Inquiries.

Examples of cases the Access Fighting Fund has provided support for:-

* Hampshire / Berkshire Jouldings Lane Restricted Byway and Byway Open to All Traffic.

* ROW/3271783 Decision date: 14 December 2022

* Somerset (No. 6) Modification Order, 2016. Here the Inspector proposed to confirm the Order subject to modifications meaning that two footpaths will be upgraded to restricted byways and one footpath to a bridleway.

* ROW/3229117 Decision date: 23 May 2022

* Lancashire (Cob Lane/Cockhill Lane to Kelbrook Wood) Definitive Map Modification Order 2015 and Public Rights of Way Kelbrook Wood, Foulridge to Castle Road, Laneshaw Bridge (Definitive Map Modification) Order 2013. The Inspector confirmed the order so that two restricted byways would be recorded on the definitive map and statement.

* ROW/3224385M and ROW/3224387M Decision date: 27 August 2021

* Derbyshire (Footpath from the junction of Hyde Bank Road and St Georges Road to Public Bridleway 180 New Mills) Modification Order 2012. Here the Inspector proposed to confirm the order so that a footpath will be upgraded to a bridleway and will link into an existing bridleway.

* ROW/3201724M2 Decision date: 26 August 2021

If you enjoy riding or carriage driving off-road, and the protection of our equestrian rights of way is important to you, please support us with a donation to the Access Fighting Fund.