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Disabled Riders Take to the Saddle at Littlebourne Farm Equestrian Centre

Thursday 14th November 2019

One of the largest British Horse Society and Association of British Riding Schools approved livery yards and riding schools in the UK has now signed up to the Accessibility Mark scheme to help more Disabled riders to take to the saddle.

Littlebourne Farm Equestrian Centre based in the village of Harefield, just 30 miles from central London, hopes the new accreditation will enable them to expand their services to more Disabled riders and ensure the quality of teaching to those already riding at the centre.

Accessibility Mark is a nationwide joint scheme between Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and the British Equestrian Federation to provide more riding opportunities for Disabled people.

General Manager at Littlebourne Farm, Ben Mitchell, found out about the scheme while he was training at another yard. He was inspired by the work Littlebourne already do in connection with Watford Mencap and hosting an annual event in conjunction with Merchant Taylors, a local private school.

Said Ben:

“Each year we host an Open Day for Merchant Taylors, Phab Charity, where the school holds a holiday camp for 20 Disabled teenagers. We also teach riders from Mencap through their pupil referral unit.

“With our outstanding facilities it made sense to apply for the Accessibility Mark accreditation to be able to offer our services to more Disabled riders and to take advantage of the training and resources available to ensure our riders are getting the very best from our instructors to achieve their goals.”

Surrounded by acres of green belt countryside, riders can look forward to learning to ride in a professional environment whilst making new like-minded friends over a cup of tea at the centre’s very own café and club house.

Accessibility Mark status is awarded to a riding centre that has been approved by the RDA following training and assessment. The close link with the RDA means that it can offer continuous support to the establishment to ensure it provides a first-class experience that aims to be hugely beneficial to riders of varying levels of disability.

For more information call 01895 824350 or visit www.littlebournefarm.co.uk

There are currently 55 Accessibility Mark-approved centres across the country.

To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit www.rda.org.uk