EQUISS Accreditation: A New Benchmark for Safeguarding in Equestrian Sport

EEQUISS, Equitas's Safeguarding Partner for the UK and Ireland, is developing an independent accreditation framework to recognise equestrian organisations, yards and events that show strong safeguarding, welfare and responsible practice. The framework is launching soon, and organisations that would like to know more can register their interest now.

For yards, clubs, event organisers and employers, it puts a name to something many already work hard at: keeping people safe, and being able to show it.

Why EQUISS is introducing it

Equestrian environments vary widely in how they manage risk, handle concerns and define responsibilities. EQUISS accreditation is designed to give organisations committed to safe, well-run and accountable environments a clear and trusted benchmark, and a way to show riders, staff, parents and participants that they prioritise safety. It also offers a structured way to review policies, procedures and day-to-day practice, and recognises the work many yards and events already do.

On its What we do page, EQUISS lists the scheme as "EQUISS Approved", an independent accreditation for businesses and organisations, where approved sites meet credible and consistent standards across safeguarding, health and safety, and workplace practices.

What it will recognise

EQUISS groups the framework into four areas.

Safeguarding and welfare covers safeguarding policies and reporting processes, training and awareness for staff and volunteers, and clear expectations on behaviour and conduct.

Workplace and operational safety covers risk assessments, safe working practices, health and safety procedures suited to equestrian settings, and insurance and organisational responsibilities.

Leadership and accountability covers clear responsibilities, appropriate governance and oversight, and transparent processes for handling concerns.

Safe equestrian environments covers supervision in yards and training settings, behaviour expectations at events and competitions, and places where riders, staff and participants feel able to raise concerns.

Standards and support alongside it

Accreditation sits within EQUISS's wider Standards work. EQUISS is developing a comprehensive set of safeguarding standards for the equestrian community, informed by real cases, frontline safeguarding expertise and challenges reported across the sector.

The workplace standards include recruitment and induction, staff conduct and professional boundaries, responding to concerns, leadership and governance, and culture and psychological safety. The event standards include safeguarding roles, safe reporting routes during events, welfare oversight, codes of conduct and safeguarding for young riders. Separate international guidance includes preparing teams before travel and identifying safeguarding leads and reporting routes abroad.

Organisations that want to prepare can already talk to EQUISS about independent advice and practical support, including reviews of policies and procedures, risk assessments for workplaces and events, developing safer ways of working, and staff training and guidance.

Two further tools are on the way. Safeguarding training for equestrian environments will include specialist domestic abuse and mental health awareness training. EQUI-SAFE will be a free platform for building your own safeguarding policy, with guidance on professional boundaries, conflicts of interest, and reporting and recording concerns. EQUISS invites organisations to register their interest in each.

What happens next

EQUISS will release further details of the accreditation process, assessment criteria and application process soon. Equitas will share them as soon as they are published.

What you can do now

Yards, clubs, event organisers and employers can register their interest in accreditation by emailing partnerships@equiss.org.uk, or through the Register your interest button on the EQUISS Accreditation page. To hear when the free EQUI-SAFE policy builder launches, email info@equiss.org.uk. Reviewing your own safeguarding policy, reporting route and staff training against the four areas above is a good place to start.

Equitas is an official partner of EQUISS.