Harrogate charity celebrates 40 years in the saddle

Follifoot Park Disabled Riders Group (FPDRG) will mark the milestone with the free event at Follifoot Park Riding Centre, Pannal Road, Harrogate on Sunday 20 September 20 from 1.30-4pm.

Riders past and present, families, volunteers, supporters, and the local community are invited to enjoy an afternoon of riding demonstrations, carriage rides, games, refreshments and celebrations.

Founded in 1986 by Julie Pedley from the Follifoot Park Riding Centre and local rider Rosie Towers, FPDRG began as a small 'Riding for the Disabled Association' group before becoming an independent charity.

And 40 years later, it has supported thousands of riders, with around 150 volunteers every year providing riding sessions for children and adults aged two and above from Harrogate and the wider area.

FPDRG members can enjoy riding within the Centre grounds and on local routes. The charity continues to rely on volunteers, donations and community support to maintain its specialist equipment and deliver life-changing opportunities for riders across the region.

The charity's mission has remained unchanged throughout its history: ensuring disabled people have the same opportunities to enjoy horse riding as anybody.

Among those benefiting from FPDRG's support is three-year-old Wren, who has Down’s syndrome and first joined FPDRG last September.

Lizzie Yates, Wren's mother, said: "Wren absolutely loves her riding sessions and gets excited every week when it's time to go to the riding centre.

"Since joining FPDRG, we've seen a remarkable improvement in her core strength, and the sessions have become a highlight of her week.

"The support, encouragement and sense of achievement she gets from riding are invaluable, and all the riders seem to really enjoy being around the horses. It’s a hugely positive and social experience for her and us as we get to know other families too.”

Morag Bennett, Chair of Trustees at FPDRG, said: "Reaching 40 years is a remarkable milestone for our charity, Julie Pedley and the brilliant team at the Riding Centre without whom we could not deliver the support we provide.

"FPDRG has grown from a small group of passionate volunteers into a thriving organisation supporting hundreds of riders every year, and we're excited to celebrate this anniversary with everyone who has been part of our journey over the past four decades."

Lucy Longden, a retired physiotherapist who's been volunteering with FPDRG for over 35 years, said: "We're incredibly proud of the difference riding makes to people's strength, confidence and social skills, in addition to their physical and mental wellbeing.

"Our charity's ethos goes through everything we do to give people with disabilities equal access to the many health benefits from riding."

The Open Day will celebrate the rich history of both FPDRG and the Follifoot Park Riding Centre, as well as highlighting both organisations' ambitions for the future, and raising awareness of their facilities and work.

Current and former riders, volunteers and the charity's many sponsors and supporters over the years, as well as local residents, are invited to come along on Sunday 20 September to help celebrate 40 years of changing lives through riding.