Advice for horse owners in Northern Ireland during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak

Coronovirus Regulations applicable to Riding Schools, Facility Centres, Competition, Pleasure Rides, Riding Lessons and leisure riders in Northern Ireland.

The following is operational for a period of 4 weeks from 16 October 2020

Riding Schools and facility centres may continue with lessons and training under the following restrictions

• One to one lessons in an indoor school are permitted (one individual and one coach, no contact between participants and each party is permitted to be from different households)
• Outdoor lessons with a maximum of 15 participants (the coach should be counted as one participant, no contact between participants and each party is permitted to be from different households)

Recreational exercise, training and competition may continue

• One to one lessons in an indoor school are permitted (one individual and one coach, no contact between participants and each party is permitted to be from different households)
• This may continue outdoors with a maximum of 15 participants. (the coach should be counted as one participant, no contact between participants and each party is permitted to be from different households)

Elite training or competition may continue indoors and outdoors (please see the definition below of what an elite athlete is)

The operator or organiser must, however, carry out a risk assessment in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (NI) 2000, take all reasonable measures to limit transmission and follow any relevant NI Departmental guidance. An ‘elite athlete’ is an individual who;

• derives a living from competing in a sport;
• plays in a professional league or competition,
• is a senior representative nominated by a relevant sporting body,
• is a member of the senior training squad for a relevant sporting body, or
• is aged 16 or above and on an elite development pathway.

The definition of a sporting event is a gathering for the purpose of exercise, competitive sport, recreational sport or sport training.

Find out more about the current legislation for more detailed information.

Here is a summary of the points relating to Households

Financial support for impacted businesses

Financial support is available for businesses that have been required to close, or have had business activities at their premises directly curtailed by current health protection regulations. Eligible businesses will receive the following amounts for every week these restrictions apply:

• Small businesses (up to £15,000 Net Annual Value) – £800
• Medium businesses (£15,001 - £51,000 Net Annual Value) – £1,200
• Large businesses (over £51,000 Net Annual Value) – £1,600

Full details on eligibility and how to apply are on the Northern Ireland Business website.

Further information on how the restrictions affect you can be found here.