The number of people participating in equestrian sports in England has been declining steadily, from 425,900 people in 2009 to 352,900 as of 2016. Approximately 26 percent of equestrian sport participants took part in a competition within one year. The South East has the highest number of horseback riding schools, followed by the East and Yorkshire. When it comes to the cost for competitive horseback riders, competition costs including stabling and entry fees make up the largest amount.
Horse racing plays a big role in the United Kingdom not only culturally but also economically, as the annual turnover from on course betting on horse races in Great Britain came to roughly 229 million British pounds, and from off course betting it amounted to approximately 4.7 billion British pounds. There are roughly 12,500 horses registered under the rules of racing in Great Britain, of which the great majority are thoroughbreds.
Most racehorse ownerships are registered as partnerships and sole owners. Around 60 percent of the roughly 10,000 races held annually are flat races, and the rest are classified as jump races. Of horses in training, roughly half are five years or older, and the other half four years or younger. The average amount of prize money per horse race tends to be slightly higher in flat races than in jump races.