Educational needs, skills provision and the opportunity for more children and young people to participate in equestrian activities: this is the focus of the response by the Swedish Equestrian Federation to the government's inquiry into horse sport.
The "Horse Industry Inquiry," which was presented at the end of 2025, was commissioned by the government to provide a comprehensive overview of the Swedish horse industry’s significance for society, business, gender equality and public health. The remit also included identifying challenges and proposing measures that could strengthen the industry in the long term.
Greater Understanding
“It is by no means a given that a report will be sent out for consultation. So naturally we are delighted about this and hope that, in the long term, it can lead to improved conditions and a greater understanding of the entire sector,” says Anna Reilly, association advisor at the Swedish Equestrian Federation and an expert on the government’s horse industry report.
In its consultation response, the Swedish Equestrian Federation welcomes the report’s holistic perspective and particularly emphasises the importance of training and skills provision, as well as the opportunity for more children and young people to participate in equestrian activities. To make equestrian sports accessible to more people, access to suitable facilities is crucial, and the Swedish Equestrian Federation supports the inquiry’s proposal for increased facility funding and a state facility fund.
77 Consultation Responses
A total of 77 consultation responses have been received by the Government Offices. According to Anders Drottja, who has been appointed to review all the consultation responses, there is broad agreement that increased support for children and young people, as well as improved statistics and data, are key issues.
In addition to its own consultation response, the Swedish Equestrian Federation has also endorsed the responses from the Equine Industry Professional Council and the Swedish Farmers’ Association, as well as a joint consultation response coordinated by the National Equine Industry Foundation (HNS). The response expresses collective support for the direction of the inquiry and a clear call on the government to proceed with concrete measures.
The complete document (in Swedish) here.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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