HORSESNOTEASYRIDE
HORSESNOTEASYRIDE
Diversifying into equine tourism is bringing a welcome lift to
the Lea familys income, but difficulty in gaining grant aid
has made it no easy ride. Simon Wragg reports
SUSIE, a 16.2hh bay mare, is being schooled gracefully around a large outdoor ménage in the early afternoon sun as Becky Lea watches on. "She was our first horse. I had a telephone call to see if Id look after this sick mare and weve nursed her back to fitness ever since."
Susies arrival in 1999 was a catalyst for a new venture based on her husband Stephens arable, dairy and sheep farm in the quiet village of Childs Ercall near Market Drayton, Shrops.
With business experience under her belt and a feeling of being too young to be a stay-at-home farmers wife, Mrs Lea capitalised on the availability of old brick stock buildings to start an equine business offering livery.
There was no fancy market research, just an advert in a local paper to assess demand. "From that one ad we got an ex-racehorse called Katys Lad trained by Brian McMahon. After that, word spread – there are 34 horses here today.
"Were some way out from a major town, Telford is 14 miles, but Im still convinced, as I was then, that people will travel to a centre that is properly run. And thats been my goal," she says emphatically.
* Orderly yards
The philosophy is proving itself. The yards are orderly and staffed by full-time BHS instructors and part-time grooms. From day one BHS approval was pursued and eventually granted on Jun 20 this year. "We now have BHS backing for both livery and schooling."
Setting up the yards has not been without its difficulties. Although initial local authority permission was granted to operate as a riding establishment, getting hold of grant aid to fund the business has been far from easy.
Information packs for grants and application forms were doggedly slow to materialise from the now defunct Ministry of Agriculture. Often, the farms already-stretched budget was left to find the necessary capital. "Matters are only marginally better under MAFFs replacement – DEFRA. At least it makes grant information available on its web-site," she says.
Without a one-stop shop to get advice and help on applying for grants, businesses like the Leas are left in limbo. "The business is developing quickly and the grant system just cant keep up. Its galling that the money weve been forced to put in cant be claimed back retrospectively."
Mrs Lea is resigned to the fact that although entitled to monies under a travel and tourism remit in the England Rural Development Plan to convert barns into accommodation for riders it is unlikely to be granted before work starts if planning permission is granted.
Customers have also been victims of bureaucracy. VAT was levied on owners for livery as it was seen as a service, but a recent decision means that duty should only be applied to those riders who have no involvement in the care and accommodation of their charges.
* Supportive customers
"Fortunately, our customers have been very supportive. The VAT element could be reclaimed but only by appeal and that could be a drawn out and costly process. They agreed to waive it," reflects Mrs Lea
Despite these frustrations, the venture is hugely rewarding. A smart traditional yard at the front of the farm sets a good impression and fenced pathways to additional wooden stables and the schooling areas keep up the tempo.
An open day on Sep 1 provided prospective customers a chance to view the facilities. Currently a temporary indoor arena is being constructed where once sheep were lambed, and grain and machinery stored.
Becky is fortunate that Stephen backs the venture. Horses graze alongside a herd of 175 Holstein Friesian dairy cows and an integrated grass management plan ensures neither loses out.
"It works well," says Stephen. "If it wasnt for the livery I often wonder if there wouldnt be a for sale sign at the bottom of the yard." He is serious, suggesting that income from 34 horses has helped recoup huge losses from 500 ewes (now dispersed) running into £000s in recent years.
"I feel more secure having horses here, truth be known," he adds.
Even with this admission, it is Becky who senses what can be achieved. Looking out on to the sun-drenched arena, she reflects that a business requires hard graft and money, but like working on Susie, will pay its own special dividend in time.
Becky and Stephen Lea have found her equine business has brought more security to the farm, despite the difficulty in gaining grants for it. The arrival of Susie, pictured below with rider Julia Bestall, inspired the development.