With Olympic success still fresh in people’s minds, the CLA is organising an equine seminar to give all those already running – or thinking of running – an equine business a chance to gain a top-level insight into the challenges and opportunities the equine industry presents.

The CLA Equine Seminar: “Putting the Industry Through Its Paces” will take place on Thursday, November 10 at the Unicorn Trust Equestrian Centre, Netherswell, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire, and will cover a will cover a range of subjects including planning, rates, employment law, Health & Safety, tax, livery contracts and liability.

The CLA will use the opportunity to launch its new handbook on horses and law which will be available for CLA members to purchase.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said: “The summer Olympics highlighted some of the extraordinary skills we have in the UK and with nearly four million people involved in riding or equestrian sports in this country, many see this as a great business opportunity.”

The equine industry contributes some £7 billion a year to the UK economy and provides full time employment of about 200,000 people, mainly in rural areas - but keeping up with developments in the industry is a constant challenge and recent changes in legislation have led the CLA to produce its new handbook.

This seminar will explore a wide range of issues from liveries to legislation with experts in the field - and experts in the saddle including International event rider Ben Way who will be offering a demonstration to delegates on board one of his top horses.

The event is supported by Butler Sherborn, Lodders, McLoughlin Planning and Hazlewoods and the cost is £30 to CLA members and £40 to non members. Speakers will include: Ben Way, Head of Equestrian Property Butler Sherborn & International event rider; Richard Greasby, Head of Rural, Butler Sherborn; Representatives from Lodders Solicitors; Nathan McLoughlin, of McLoughlin Planning; Nicholas Smail, Partner, Hazlewoods, Accountants and Kath Leonard, Joint Support Lead, Cotswold District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council.