Our social enterprise open doors to inner city Black and ethnic minority children, young people and communities that have been excluded from the Equestrian world. Ethnic minorities make up 1% of the equestrian world in the UK. There are many hurdles faced when trying to participate in aspects of equestrianism, inclusion being one of the biggest. Having our own land base will enable us to provide consistent equestrian programmes to our local and wider community. Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on the Leicestershire community and nationally. Our organisation is committed to prioritising the wellbeing of our members, staff and our local and wider community who rely on our services for their health and mental wellbeing.

We have launched the UEA Land Ownership Fund as a response to the Urban Equestrian Academy’s immediate needs for a permanent base in the Leicestershire country. With a history of being forced to move a number of times due to hostile landowners or unfriendly neighbours towards Black and ethnic minority staff and members, we are disheartened to have to continue to experience similar incidents impacting the development of our talented young people with huge potential and being forced to halt sessions and look for a new home for our horses.

Land ownership remains one of the biggest obstacles for people of colour to breakthrough in the Equestrian world. By owning our own land, U.E.A will no longer have to halt business when facing obstacles with discriminatory treatment from landowners. We would not have to cancel supporting our youngsters in their Equine careers, disappointing and upsetting them mid progress. We would not have to be concerned about the welfare and safety of our horses and property threatened on unfriendly sites. We would not have to deal with racism, xenophobia and Islamophobic abuse.

We are calling for support from the community and those able to support our vision to help us raise funds to purchase our own land site in Leicestershire, so we can truly facilitate, develop and support the entry of inner city communities into the Equestrian world. Thousands of children and young people from the city have engaged with our Academy, hundreds rely on our services for their wellbeing.

We wish to offer services in spaces where we feel safe and welcome all cultures, without having to be concerned over the welfare of our staff, children, volunteers and horses.

The hostility from landowners, uncomfortable with the presence of the aesthetic and demographic of the U.E.A is an unnecessary hurdle. We do not wish to continue to have to start from scratch once a year and stall progress due to the obstacles we repeatedly face.

We would like to thank all our sponsors, donors and those who support diversity, inclusion and representation who continue to support us to provide a sense of belonging to our young and upcoming riders in Leicester into the Equine industry.

WE are not part of the change, we ARE the change and the support of the nation in our mission will be appreciated.

Please support the U.E.A Land Ownership Fund and Donate to our campaign. We ask you to share and encourage others to support us in our endeavours.

urbanequestrian.co.uk