THE British Riding Club’s (BRC) movement which affiliated to the British Horse Society (BHS) umbrella more than 50 years ago is now in for a major re-shuffle within its organisational structure.

The national BRC executive committee, which used to make the decisions in the organisation, has been disbanded.

This committee was made up of elected area representatives from across the UK.

It has now been replaced by the BRC advisory committee, meaning that the BHS, to which the BRC is affiliated, will now have the final say on decisions.

This new advisory group will comprise delegates from British Eventing, British Showjumping and British Dressage, the head of BRC, the BRC competitions manager, plus six volunteer roles to be filled by BRC area representatives.

A BHS spokesman said this was part of a wider “period of change” that has been taking place during the past two years.

“Nothing will change for members; every club will have its own rules and continue to elect their own committee,” they said.

He added that members were not consulted because the changes were part of a broad review by the BHS of its committees and their structures.

However, the British Horse Society is keen to reassure BRC members that the changes will not directly affect them.

There will be no change to the payment structure and members will still continue to join the club of their choice.

The Yorkshire area 4 committee members were shocked at the lack of consultation from the British Horse Society, last week at their AGM meeting held at Goldsbrough.

Richard Thompson, ex-chairman of area 4, said at the area 4 annual meeting: “Maybe it’s time for riding clubs to become an independent organisation.

“If we decided to leave the BHS no doubt there would be many difficulties, but we have an army of talented people who are committed to the movement, not just in area 4, but nationwide.”

Members of the BHS felt the changes should not have been allowed to just bring about this change without consultation.

The general feeling was that this would be a good idea “to go alone” as it is feared that BRC will just become another department within the BHS and most would prefer an independent structure like the British Eventing, British Dressage and British Showjumping.