New riding facilities for disadvantaged kids

By Rebecca Gibson

General news

23 July 2010 14:16

A charity which runs a riding school amid the high-rise residential complexes of Brixton, in South London, is pushing to raise £500,000 to build new facilities.

The Ebony Horse Club, which helps to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged children growing up in South London by providing horse riding lessons, has planning permission to build a riding centre in Wyck Gardens on the Loughborough Estate in Brixton.

The plans for the riding centre include stabling for 11 horses, a stable yard, a turn out paddock, a floodlit arena, storage for bedding, feed and equipment, a tack room, classroom and offices. The club says the new premises will enable them to offer 160 riders lessons each week instead of the 45 per fortnight which is what they are currently able to offer.

The club uses horses to teach five key social skills - punctuality, regular attendance, commitment to improvement, team work and exam preparation. Its president, the Duchess of Cornwall, met members this week at an open day held as part of fundraising efforts. Her visit included a tour of the area in Wyck Gardens amid the high-rise residential complexes of Brixton that, once the £500,000 has been raised, is destined to become stabling, a riding school, and a classroom for members of the club.

The British Equestrian Federation, of which the Duchess is a patron, has already committed £200,000 of finance secured through Sport England, to the project which will cost £1.7 million in total.

The club still needs to find another £210,000 before the end of 2010 in order to open by autumn 2011. If you’re interested in helping Ebony Horse Club visit www.ebonyhorseclub.org.uk and click donate.