She said it came from her role as education liaison officer with the BAME Equine and Rural Activities Focus Group (BERF).

“The executive members were very keen to pass on details to their widening participation groups,” she said. “I think a lot of us have been challenged to address the high proportion of white students we’ve historically attracted.”

 

 

Ms Greening said the group is working on an action plan, and outcomes from that, on linking with education providers’ regional communities.

“We [Hartpury] are developing a good relationship with St James City Farm, and I know Hadlow College has a good relationship with Ebony Horse Club, and there are lots more community-based projects that could be involved,” she said, adding that the range of equestrian courses on offer at the different institutions gives a huge number of options for careers in the equestrian industry.

“It opens so many doors,” she said, adding that the colleges and universities can also share imagery and resources to provide role models to young people from under-represented communities.

“I think the community-based outreach is a fantastic way to reach families; educating them as much as the young people,” she said. “I’m really excited about this.”

BERF founder Sandra Murphy said Ms Greening’s “fantastic” work addresses an issue she has raised before, of the lack of opportunities for young people from under-represented communities to progress in the equestrian industry .