Hoof helps
children jump ahead
The John Roan School at Maze Hill welcomed Hoof to its ‘Jump
Ahead’ event on 3 July 2012.
Run by the social enterprise MakeBelieve Arts, the day forms
part of a programme to help junior school children make the transition to their
chosen secondary school.
With the school gates bordering Greenwich Park, home to
equestrianism at London 2012, so Hoof set out to introduce the children to the
sport.
All but a handful of the 1200 pupils had never seen, let alone
touched, a horse before, so two gleaming grey Shetland ponies, Pedro and
Peregrine, from Vauxhall City Farm,
grazed the school lawn beside the main entrance and children taking part
in Jump Ahead delighted in petting them.
And, a buzz of excitement was created by the children - and
teenagers - wanting to experience the thrill of cantering – albeit on a horse
simulator with Sam Martin, assisting in offering the ‘riders’ hints and tips.
London-born Sam was first introduced to riding at Vauxhall City
Farm as a five year-old and the memory remained.
He inspired pupils with a glimpse into how horses have changed
his life as the confident, well-spoken gentleman described how responding to an
advert to work with horses changed his life from being a teenager living rough
and in regular trouble with the police.
Today, Sam has a career in horses, competing in dressage and
indeed has hopes of representing his country in future Olympic Games.
“The kids’ jaws were dropping listening to Sam’s speech”, said
Gill Barham, a representative of the British Equestrian Federation, adding,
“And it’s great to hear head teacher, Des Malone, would like the school to work
with Sam again.”
For his part, Sam says, “The mechanical horse showed just how
much inner city girls, and especially boys, want to learn to ride – they
reminded me of me.”
While 90% of horse riders are female, the balance is much more
equal in inner city riding schools, and indeed many boys, including older
teenagers, were exceptionally keen to have a go on the mechanical horse and
receive an horse-riding and Pony Club information pack.
One such participant was 14 year-old Blake Holden who says, “It
was a great experience – at the same time therapeutic and thrilling – and
although I’ve never ridden or even touched a horse before, after this
experience, the first opportunity I get to ride, I’m riding!”
Local riding stables, Willowtree Riding School, Newham
Equestrian Centre and Mudchute Stables who all offer special school group sessions
gave their details while the school was informed of the Emile Faurie Foundation
charity.
Set up by dressage Olympian, Emile Faurie, the foundation funds
riding lessons for disadvantaged children and is inundated with requests.
Volunteer administrator, Mary-anne Horn, says, “We’d love to
welcome pupils John Roan School onto our programmes and are desperately seeking
more funding to be able to cope with increased demand.”
Concluding the day, Alice Edwards of Makebelieve Arts says, “It
has been a fantastic day and the ponies really made the event – the children
were excited that they would be riding a horse simulator and seeing ponies –
but taking part exceeded even their expectations.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
For
further information on any of the BEF legacy projects please contact the BEF
Press Office on 02476 698877 or at pippa.wade@bef.co.uk
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