Running from September 9th to 17th National Racehorse Week will celebrate the thoroughbred.
During the week, over 150 events take place across the country (for free) where public can visit training yards, studs, and aftercare centres. 15,500 places at events are available to the public for free.
As part of the initiative, there will be a large community outreach programmes taking horses to care homes, schools, hospitals, and urban areas. This year more than 50 community visits will take place in addition to the 150 public events, and we hope to engage with an additional 3,000 people through these events who would not ordinarily have the chance to see a horse up close or attend one of the public open days.
As part of the community work, former jump jockey Dominic Elsworth and the construction group RMF will take a group of ex-offenders, who are part of an RMF Construction Worker group based in the Midlands to Ian William’s yard. The RMF Group aim to make employment opportunities for all a reality, by running courses such as Equine Management, helping to address significant labour market shortages within sectors.
Launched in February of this year, the Equine Management course is open to a wide range of people, and provides specialist support to help ex-offenders, veterans, the homeless, and residents who are long-term unemployed develop the skills they need to find work in industry. Dominic, and former jockey Ryan Hatch, are using their extensive equestrian knowledge to train others with practical skills, including horse management and handling, equine health, and stable design on the course.
