Horse-riders have condemned a “ridiculous” decision to increase riding tax by almost 40 per cent.

The City of London Corporation confirmed at a meeting last night that the proposed increase in annual riding licence tax, which is the first of its kind in 10 years, will go ahead.

The Horse Riding Licence Scheme increase, which was proposed on Thursday after the corporation revealed the costs of maintaining forest surfaces were not being met, will see adult rider tax costs rise from £30 to £55 per horse for the year.

Manager of Aldersbrook Riding School Christine Sherret said: “It’s ridiculous.

“We are going to have to reduce the number of horses we licence to take out because we cannot possibly put those sort of costs onto our customers.

“We only take out four horses at the moment including the lead horse, that is going to have to be reduced now.”

Epping Forest horse rider Paula Hare said: “I am disappointed about the increase but not surprised.

“It is a shame that the City of London chooses to target only one group of forest users and has not even explored the possibility that there is actually a lot of goodwill between cyclists and horse riders.

“Instead they choose to target the segment of forest users that they feel they can police the most easily.”

Manager of Woodredon Riding School in Waltham Abbey Sandra Butchart said: "there are a lot of riders and staff here that are very upset.

"This time of year people are finding costs particularly hard so the increase is very upsetting.

"The only way we as a school can afford the costs of the licences is to increase our clients costs which is not something we would like to do.

"We have been part of Epping Forest for over 30 years and class ourselves as an asset and a public service.

"The increase has just made it more difficult for schools and riders in the area."