Fresh from helping Britain secure its first Team Gold medal at the European Dressage Championships Emile Faurie, visited London’s Mount Mascal Stables to celebrate funding received thanks to HOOF – an Olympic Legacy project being delivered by the British Equestrian Federation.
Through its membership of the London Horse Network, a group supported by HOOF, Mount Mascal Stables was informed of an opportunity for funding, sourced from Sport England, to help riders, start, stay and succeed in the sport.
With British weather a barrier, especially in the winter months, Mount Mascal Stables applied for £25,000 of match-funding to erect a roof over its outdoor arena to offer greater opportunities for disadvantaged groups, enable more lessons to go ahead, extend opening hours and to provide a suitable area for competitions.
David Gadsby, London representative of the British Equestrian Federation says, “Our legacy programme will deliver improvements and improved access to facilities across the city to enable a new generation of riders to step into the sport”, adding, “The application from Mount Mascal Stables showed clearly that, with investment from HOOF, additional capacity could be created to enable more people to ride at this great centre..”
Kevin Butchart, regional representative for the Association of British Riding Schools concurs saying, “This development in facilities will have far-reaching benefits in helping riders to develop in their training whether that leads them to gaining qualifications, enjoying certain disciplines within equestrian sport or just simply maximizing their enjoyment when riding.”
And, Claire McCaffery-Clarke, regional representative of the British Horse Society adds, “It will also give new and existing riders more opportunities to access excellent training as supplied by all BHS approved establishments.”
Emile himself first leant to ride at 16 and now, at 47, is not just an elite member of British Dressage and a veteran of two Olympic Games with his sights set on representing the home nation in London 2012, but is founder of the Emile Faurie Foundation, a charity aimed at enabling disadvantaged children to ride and experience the magic of horses.
Emile says, “Whether you want to win a gold medal or just get out of the house, horses have the ability to develop life skills such as self-confidence, responsibility, discipline and can have a positive impact on academic performance too.”
Mount Mascal Stables welcomes this aim, with proprietor, John Window, explaining, “Our philosophy at Mount Mascal is that riding should be accessible to everyone. Our new space means we can continue and further develop our community links to enable more people to learn and enjoy riding - especially those who may be disadvantaged or discouraged by their perception of the sport. They can now benefit from a safe and attractive outdoor riding environment, all year round which is especially important in our ever increasingly urban society. And, with 2012 just around the corner now, we are looking forward to encouraging new fans of our sport, inspired by the Olympic equestrian events in Greenwich, to convert from spectating to participating."
Jodie Maile, volunteer chair of the London Horse Network also attended the day, commented: “Already, as a network, we are seeing real evidence of the impact the Olympics will have on the London equestrian community, bringing many different disciplines together, celebrating the sport, the horse and the positive influences equestrianism can bring to so many lives.”
David concludes, “The enthusiasm shown by the people of Greenwich and the surrounding boroughs at the Olympic Test Event has shown what support there is for the horse and equestrian sport in London and it’s great to know Mount Mascal Stables will now have the extra capacity it required to cater for those inspired by the World’s leading riders competing on their doorstep.”
Notes to editors:
For more details regarding HOOF, visit www.hoof-in-town.com or contact Anna Bruce at
evenerprise pr on 07970 285781 or email annabruce101@googlemail.com.
For John and Alison Window, contact Mount Mascal Stables, Vicarage Road, Bexley, DA5 2AW
www.mountmascalstables.co.uk, Tel: 020 8300 3947, email: ali@mountmascalstables.com
(Alison Window)
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