Ebony Horse Club Receives Funding Boost for new Riding Centre in Brixton

Brixton, London: South London’s pioneering horse riding charity, Ebony Horse Club, has been awarded £600,000 towards the cost of building a riding centre in Brixton, South London. Ebony has transformed the lives of hundreds of local children during its 15 year history. Many of the children are from ethnic minority backgrounds making it the biggest provider of its kind in the UK.

The Club has been limited by not owning its own facilities and Sport England has invested £600,000 of National Lottery Funding in the project towards the £1.75m total cost of building the centre in Wyck Gardens in South West London.

Ros Spearing, Founder and Director of Ebony Horse Club said: "We have been providing horse riding for children in Brixton since 1996 and have been developing the riding centre for seven years. The new riding centre will enable us to reach three times as many children. The local community, Council and schools support the vital role that Ebony plays in opening up opportunities for local children especially those with special needs.

"We have now raised £1.2 million towards the new centre and we are awaiting news on a further £400,000. We are appealing for donors to come forward with the last £150,000 so that work can start on the building in February 2011. Our aim is to open by January 2012 in time for our role as an equestrian Olympic Legacy Project. Sport England has given us their support with this generous award which follows the tremendous support the British Equestrian Federation has given to Ebony. The new centre which will also provide mentoring and other sports will allow us to reach so many more children who at present are turned away."

Hannah Bladen, Sport England's Regional Lead for London, said: "The opportunity to go horse riding in state-of-the-art facilities is not something every Londoner has on their doorstep. That's why this centre will be an important addition to sports on offer in South West London. Sport England is delighted to be investing National Lottery funding to support Ebony Horse Club in getting young people taking part in, and enjoying, their sport."

Tessa Jowell MP for Brixton said: "My congratulations and admiration go to everyone at Ebony Horse Club who have argued, cajoled, persuaded and campaigned to bring an equestrian centre to Brixton.

"When you witness the fantastic way that Ebony Horse Club work with young people, the logic of bringing the riding centre to Brixton becomes crystal clear. I cannot wait to see this hard fought for centre become a reality in the months ahead."

Andrew Finding, Chief Executive of the British Equestrian Federation said: "When London was announced as the venue of the 2012 Olympic Games, BEF quickly realised its potential to encourage people of all ages to start, stay and succeed in our sport.

"Our legacy project, HOOF-Ride London, identified the unique opportunity that Ebony Horse Club represents. Through HOOF - Ride London, our moral encouragement and financial contribution, to support the opening of the Ebony’s bespoke facility in the heart of Brixton just ahead of the Olympics in 2012, will enable Ebony Horse Club to reach out to more children than ever before. This is just the start however, as Ebony Horse Club also has potential to link to many of our 16 member bodies, offering far-reaching benefits for all."

Derrick Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Lambeth Council said: "I can think of few organisations more deserving of the sort of financial support Ebony has managed to achieve. The centre will be a real asset to the local area and provide desperately needed new opportunities for our young people."

Local parent, Karen Reid, who has three children at the Club said: "The whole family has waited so long to hear this news. Ebony has really supported my children especially my son, through some quite difficult times. The children cannot wait to be able to go to the stables after school and at weekends. It’s great that so many more children from the area will benefit and have access to this support."

Martin Clark, Head, at St John The Evangelist Primary School, Angell Town said: "Since a group of children has been working with Ebony Horse Riding Club it has had a remarkable impact on their self-esteem which has resulted in a dramatic improvement in their achievement at school."



BEF urges London equestrian centres to access funding from Mayor's Skills Legacy worth £30 million

British Equestrian Federation is urging London’s equestrian centres to access a slice of over £30 million – and offering advice as to how to do so.


As part of the Mayor of Loondon, Boris Johnson’s key election promises, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games must deliver a genuine grass-roots sporting legacy of increased participation in sport and physical activity amongst Londoners. “In total, in excess of £30 million is to be invested in grass-roots sport by the time of the Olympic opening ceremony”, says project manager, Katie Couchman.

To understand how to access this funding the BEF has therefore secured Katie Couchman as a speaker at the next meeting of the London Horse Network, to be held at Mudchute Equestrian Centre, Isle of Dogs, on 28th September.

BEF representative for London, David Gadsby explains; “This is a staggering figure to be put towards accessing subsidized training, and we’ll have to fight many other sports to secure it but I’m confident the London Horse Network can work collectively to put forward something that will benefit the individual and the industry as a whole.”

Established as part of the BEF HOOF-Ride London Olympic Legacy, the London Horse Network aims to combine the expertise of riding centres and instructors to individual horse owners and riders and to connect them to external agencies, to develop the sport, improve standards and secure funding for the region.

Under the new leadership of Jodie Maile, the London Horse Network will also hear from Kelly Smith, Pro Active London Equestrian Relationship Manager at the meeting. Jodie explains, “Kelly will address the audience on how to link into Country Sports Partnerships, with a particular emphasis on creating links with schools so that equestrian centres can not only make the mid-week, daytime more profitable but also to create a lasting legacy, introducing scores of new volunteers into our sport and could inspire others into equestrian careers.”

A few spaces remain and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis with those interested invited to contact Jodie Maile.

David concludes, “This meeting will be a great opportunity for the London Horse Network and I hope it will not only encourage equestrian enthusiasts in London to get in touch and join the Network but also inspire other professionals with equestrian links to offer their advice and services to the Network so that the Legacy of the London Olympic Games is seen for decades to come.”

If you would like to join the London Horse Network, or offer your expertise to the Network, contact Jodie Maile at jodievm@aol.com or Tel 07815 670035.

For more information on HOOF-Ride London visit http://www.hoof-in-town.com/