A huge survey has revealed that horse riding is one of the most popular forms of sport in the UK, with thousands of people taking part at least once a month.

The Active People Survey, commissioned by Sport England, is the largest study that has ever been done into the UK's sporting habits.

Horse riding was found to be the 15th most popular activity, which may come as a surprise to some who consider it to be only available to the privileged few.

However, figures show that more and more people have taken to horse riding in the last decade, giving it its current impressive ranking.

Andrew Finding, chief executive of the British Equestrian Federation, commented: "The Active People Survey will be very useful to the British Equestrian Federation, especially as the diagnostic tool will give us easy access to a wealth of very useful information.

He added that the BEF will work closely with Sport England to increase participation in horse riding further.