The Welfare Stewarding Group
About the group
If you’re attending an RoR event, you might spot some friendly faces wearing Welfare Stewarding Group (WSG) (formerly the Welfare Stewarding Team or WST) tabards. They're here to support both you and your horse, so don’t hesitate to stop by for a chat or ask a question - they’re always happy to talk horses!
Below is a little more about who the WSG are, why they’re at events, and what they’re here to do.
What is the WSG?
The Welfare Stewarding Group is a group of knowledgeable, approachable equestrian professionals who attend RoR events to offer advice, encouragement, and support around horse welfare and horsemanship.
Their role is purely educational and advisory, they’re not here to enforce rules or catch anyone out. Instead, they aim to celebrate great horsemanship, offer helpful tips, and have positive, constructive conversations with competitors.
They’re here to help make sure that both you and your horse have the best possible experience, and to support RoR’s commitment to responsible horse ownership and positive welfare for former racehorses.
Why does the WSG attend RoR events?
The WSG are here to:
- Highlight and reward great horsemanship when they see it.
- Offer friendly advice and encouragement where small improvements could help improve equine welfare.
- Chat with riders in a positive, respectful and motivating way about their horse’s care and training.
- Help RoR keep improving the support and guidance we offer through our welfare and education programmes.
They’re also helping us build a better picture of horse welfare across our events, so we can keep moving forward as a community.
Who is in the WSG?
The WSG is made up of trained volunteers from a wide range of equestrian backgrounds. Every member of the team is experienced, approachable, and passionate about horse welfare.
You might meet:
- Veterinary surgeons
- Field welfare officers
- Saddlers
- Chiropractors
- Physiotherapists
All team members are BHS-trained and bring specialist knowledge to their role. They’re here to share their experience in a helpful and practical way, whether that’s by offering guidance, answering questions, or just having a good horsey chat!
If you see the WSG at an event, please do go and say hello!