£10k award inspires London Riding School

Deen City Farm Riding School has wasted no time in spending a £10,000 award it received from the Gannett Foundation and Wimbledon Gardens.

Manager, Joanna Henbrey BHSII SM, says, “The £10,000 went towards fencing and buying a new horse, Alfie, for the Riding School but more than that it’s given me hope.”

With the charity offering pony rides from £1, RDA lessons, work experience for volunteers to excellent instruction from BHS-qualified staff for a fraction of the expected price, the Riding Stables is understandably extremely popular.

Joanna continues, “We have nearly 200 people waiting to join our lessons but we are limited by the riding space we have and the number of horses.”

Now proposing to double the stable numbers to 24 and add a second arena with grandstand seating area, Joanna hopes to be able to meet the growing demand and offer a better experience for farm visitors and riders alike.

She says, “At the moment farm visitors tend to hang over the rails of the arena to watch which isn’t safe and for our riders competing in in-house competitions having a second arena will make it more realistic as they will be able to warm up before showing or jumping.”

That said, a high proportion of riders at the stables have gone on to pursue careers in the industry with one set to be on placement at Hickstead this summer.

David Gadsby, London representative of the British Equestrian Federation said, “Deen City Farm Riding School matches the HOOF Ride London aim to increase the accessibility of riding to all in the city and the BEF is supportive of its bid to achieve such aims.”

Joanna adds, “Having received the £10,000 grant I’m enthused and the expansion of the riding school will help to make the whole farm more sustainable.”

To contact Deen City Farm and find out how you can help visit www.deencityfarm.co.uk or email stables1@deencityfarm.co.uk For further riding opportunities in London visit http://www.hoof-in-town.com/

Joanna is pictured with Alfie - bought with the grant money already received.