MUCH WENLOCK in Shropshire is famous for being the inspiration for the modern Olympics. On the outskirts of the town is the Cavalier Centre, which enables people with a disability to become champions in disciplines from dressage to showjumping, driving and vaulting.
Established by Jane Barker in 1995, the Cavalier Centre started from humble beginnings. It was originally called the Perry Riding Group and Jane started by accommodating students from a special school in Shrewsbury, who were only able to attend riding lessons outside the county. Nowhere in Shropshire offered accessible riding facilities.
They started by running carriage driving sessions with two horses and a couple of volunteers. As the group grew, they launched a vaulting class for children with ADHD-autism from another local school. This intervention led to recognisable improvements in students’ behaviour and social interaction.
The centre is affiliated with the charity Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), which was formed in 1969 because of the positive health and therapeutic benefits that riding has on disabled people.
Some 55 years on, the RDA has grown exponentially with more than 500 groups and 20,000 children and adults with disabilities participating in equine activities across the country. Throughout the year, there are a series of regional contests leading to a national championships at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire.
The Cavalier Centre empowers people with a disability to succeed at every level, whether grassroots, nationally or just for fun. This is the story of three individuals who have benefited from equine sports:
Alison Moore, who does both dressage and showjumping, vaulter Blossom Burton and carriage driver Peter Higgins.
THE most established para-equestrian sport is dressage, the first riding discipline to gain Paralympic status.
Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
