The British Horse Society Announce Retirement of Chief Executive

The British Horse Society Announce Retirement of Chief Executive

The British Horse Society has today announced that Chief Executive, Lynn Petersen, has confirmed retirement following more than 40 years working in business and charity.

In the last six years, Ms Petersen has grown membership by 43%, making The British Horse Society the UK’s largest equestrian charity with over 106,000 members.

During her ‘rein’ Ms Petersen has been the driving force behind successful campaigns like Dead Slow, React Now to Beat Colic, 2026, Paths for Community, Changing Lives through Horses and Friends at the End. These campaigns have had a significant impact for horses, owners, riders and the equestrian industry.

In the same period, the Society’s world-class education system was upgraded, leading to more than a 50% increase in candidates. Lynn has also pioneered an initiative to take the BHS education systems to other countries where no such systems exist. This year the new BHS Challenge Awards has been launched, offering recreational riders the chance to improve their knowledge and skills.

David Sheerin, Chairman of The British Horse Society said

It has been a remarkable journey for the BHS under Lynn’s leadership as CEO, and previously as Chairman of the Society and a Trustee. Her vision and achievements will leave an indelible mark on the BHS and the wider equine industry in the UK and internationally. We wish her the very best in her retirement.”

Passionate about horses, Ms Petersen’s career has also included senior management positions in sales and marketing with commercial organisations such as TIME Magazine, Kraft General Foods and Burson Marsteller. As Director of Sales, Marketing and Fundraising for The Outward Bound Trust, Lynn worked closely with HRH Prince Andrew in transforming the charity with modern management strategies.

The Society promotes and protects the interest of all horses and horse lovers across the UK. Its core focus is education, welfare, safety and equestrian rights of way.

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.