ARE you the next gold medal-winning Olympian like Charlotte Dujardin or Nick Skelton? Or are you just looking for a new healthy activity to enjoy with the family.

If you ever hankered after taking up an equestrian sport but didn’t know where to start, then the national initiative Give Horses a Go weekend on September 17-18 is just for you.

Give Horses a Go weekend is run by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and sees riding centres, horse charities and equestrian events across the country offer everyone – no matter what age, gender or ability – the chance to get up close and personal with horses and try riding for free.

No expensive kit is necessary, just sensible trousers and a pair of boots or shoes with a small heel. Riding centres will provide the rest, including a hat and horse.

Two local participating centres are: Rein & Shine, 1 Buryhill Farm, Braydon, Wiltshire, SN5 0AD.

Tel: 01666 860068. Email: info@reinandshine.co.uk Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre, Tumpy Green Lane, Cam, Dursley, Gloucestershire, Gl11 5HZ. Tel: 01453 899002.

Email: info@tumpygreenequestriancentre.co.uk.

A full list of venues can be found at: www.hoofride.co.uk/givehorsesago, and the website also contains tips on what to wear and what to expect.

Last year the BEF’s inaugural Give Horses a Go event saw more than 40 riding centres open their doors, with 2,000 people attending.

BEF head of participation Anna Hall said: “Horse riding is an activity that anyone, regardless of age, ability or background can have a go at.

“We know that some exercise improves fitness, some relieves stress, some gets you out in the open air, but we believe that horse riding and equestrian volunteering delivers all that and more.”