Gyeonggi Province Promotes "Online Applications for Student Equestrian Experiences"
Programs Offered at 49 Youth-Specialized Certified Riding Clubs
Gyeonggi Province will again this year continue to support equestrian experiences for students and socially disadvantaged, marginalized, and vulnerable groups.
Gyeonggi Province will continue to support horseback riding experiences for students and socially vulnerable, marginalized, and disadvantaged groups this year. Provided by Gyeonggi Province.
The equestrian experience program is designed to broaden the base of the horseback-riding population and to provide psychological healing through horses. The project will be carried out in three areas: equestrian experiences for students, public-interest equestrian experiences, and healing horseback riding for at-risk youth.
First, the student equestrian experience program will support 70% of the participation fee (224,000 won) this year for 12,886 elementary, middle, and high school students. Students will only need to pay 30%, or 96,000 won, to enjoy 10 horseback-riding sessions.
To prevent potential safety accidents during equestrian activities and to provide systematic education, the province will this year focus the program on 49 youth-specialized riding clubs that have been certified by Gyeonggi Province.
The "Youth Specialized Riding Club Certification System" is a program that Gyeonggi Province has implemented since 2016, the first of its kind nationwide. It certifies riding clubs suitable for student horseback riding by inspecting their facilities, riding horses and professional staff, insurance coverage for the riding club, and the content of their riding programs.
In addition, for out-of-school at-risk youth, victims of school violence, persons with disabilities, socially disadvantaged groups, and trauma-exposed occupational groups, the province will fully cover the participation fees for 1,855 people (920,000 won for out-of-school and school-violence victim youth, 420,000 won for persons with disabilities, and 320,000 won for socially disadvantaged groups and trauma-exposed occupational groups).
Shin Jonggwang, Director of the Livestock Policy Division of Gyeonggi Province, said, "For modern people who are exposed for long hours to digital devices and stress, equestrian experiences are a comprehensive healing exercise that improves physical health and relieves mental stress," adding, "Gyeonggi Province will continue to expand public-interest equestrian experiences to enhance residents' welfare and support a vibrant daily life."
Students can apply for the student equestrian experience program after signing up and completing the verification process on the Korea Racing Authority’s Hospia website, where they can also check the application period and detailed information on the riding programs.
In addition, applications for public-interest and at-risk youth equestrian experience programs can be made through city and county livestock departments, where detailed guidance and information on benefits from the equestrian experiences are available.
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