IN the last few weeks of 2016 we have celebrated all that is good about equestrianism in Scotland; our amazing volunteers, the ability to train and improve and having some of the best access to the countryside legislation in Europe.
BHS Scotland received a wonderful double helping of Yogi Breisner; retiring British eventing team coach whose master CPD delivered inspirational exercises and straightforward equitation philosophy at the Scottish National Equestrian Centre for nearly 75 coaches with a get together the preceding evening where Yogi shared his Rio Olympic Journey.
Yogi stated his “sadness but tinged with optimism” as he steps down as team coach, but cited a bright future for British eventing given the amazing pool of riders and horses currently available.
His amusing presentation covered the chronology of being a performance manager from before the games are even announced to having a team complete and return home. 
The challenges of planning, climate, geography, accreditation, selection and logistics and, of course, funding, were all covered in his talk about the journey to the Rio Games.
At the CPD, Yogi used innovative exercises and various props to make for some exciting, yet fun, jumping training and his calm knowledge of riders in the flat work as he tackled winter homework, the show jumping course, test preparation and cross country technique.
BHS Scotland chairman of training, Erik McKechnie BHSI, said: “It was such a privilege to have someone as clever and traditional but with a young fresh view come and amazing insight from the top of the sport of eventing present to us and invigorate our coaches – great early winter revision and very affirming.”
BHS Scotland also held its first ever ‘Equestrian and Multi-Use Access’ to the Countryside conference in November to showcase the work of BHS access volunteers and equestrian access groups in Scotland in preserving off road riding and barrier free paths and tracks.
The well attended event, chaired by Mark Stephen for BBC Scotland’s Out of Doors programme, highlighted how horse riders can be discriminated against in Scotland even although they have the same right of responsible access as walkers and cyclists, also but concentrated on the positive educational, advocacy and advisory role of the BHS.
This event emphasised how opportunities for horse riders to access off road riding in Scotland are in good hands with BHS keeping access at the fore of its Scottish agenda for the 51 years they it has been in action. 
The day included a chronology of BHS Scotland access work and introduced some new resources produced in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage.
Local access volunteers presented their positive partnership work at Gartmorn Dam in Clackmannanshire, Balmedie Beach in Grampian, and the Frandy Gate in Strathearn, and the event also showcased the valuable work of rangers in Beecraigs Country Park who work inclusively to accommodate all users fairly.
A short film showing horse riders’ attitudes to off road riding in Scotland was shown before countryside consultant Vyv Wood Gee, who is also a long distance rider, gave a well-illustrated demonstration that while horse riders are so pleased to have the same rights as walkers and cyclists in Scotland, in practice they have more difficulties exercising that right than other users. 
Vyv also touched on the growing evidence that many people, including access practitioners and land owners, don’t always recognise the right of responsible access that horse riders have and the difficulties hose riders experience in Scotland over finding places to go.
The event then demonstrated some of the more difficult access case studies involving obstructions which include cattle grids with no gate, unnecessary locked gates on well-used and promoted tracks, off putting signage and lengthy filibustering in the resolution of cases.
In the afternoon workshops on the Land Reform Act, working with land owners, resolving problems and who represents multi-use were all held with constructive feedback.
Ann Fraser, BHS chairman of Scottish access, said: “Scotland is proud of its access volunteers and the massive amount of work they do. With continued education, partnership working and everyone riding out responsibly we believe our fortunate position of having equal rights to other non-motorised users can only get better year on year.”
So on that optimistic note I’d like to wish all our members and friends a happy and peaceful Christmas and all the best for a horse filled and galloping 2017.