Love Riding

June 26th is the next “Love Riding” event at Ham House Stables, with Minette Rice-Edwards, her skilled team of riders, experienced Alexander Technique teachers and beautiful horses. So, if you missed the first session, be sure to book in early for this next one; via email Minette on minette.re@googlemail.com or see her website: www. art-of-riding.com

The Olympics in Greenwich

Click the link below to watch the LOCOG video about Greenwich Park:
Greenwich Park (March 2010) video

London Bar Honours Local Stables

Old meets new as one of the oldest equestrian establishments, Wimbledon Village Stables is to be honoured at the new Hemingways Lounge Bar, set to open on the high street of Wimbledon Village on 4th May 2010.

With the independently-owned bar aiming to put ‘the Village back into the Village’, proprietor, Kelly McAteer, who also rode at the Stables as a child, has chosen to name the four ‘booths’ within the bar after the yard dog, Filly, and three resident horses, Silver Dollar, Inky, and Chester with a private area being appropriately named, The Paddock.

The Stables’ director, Carol Andrews, says, “It’s a lovely gesture. The Stables was first established in 1919 and is very much at the heart of the community and we enjoy the camaraderie between businesses in the Village.”

Commenting on the honour, David Gadsby, London representative of the British Equestrian Federation says, “In line with our HOOF Ride London project to promote riding in London, this demonstrates just how inclusive equestrian centres are in the city and how important they can be in building a community.”

Situated close to Wimbledon Common the stable nonetheless must negotiate a short stretch of main road but businesses in the area stepped in to support traffic lights and warning signals for the Stables, while the Stables takes part in the Christmas Fair and runs a summer show on the Common that brings the community together and attracts others to the area.

Film stars, pop stars and Blue Peter presenters have undergone instruction at the Stables while Strictly Come Dancing’s Lilia Kopylova is the latest new rider to benefit from regular training on offer at this BHS and ABRS-approved equestrian centre.

Carol adds, “We are a community within a community with lots of members who ride regularly and strong links in the Village and with various charities.”

Indeed through its sponsored rides and fundraising activities the Wimbledon Village Stables has raised over £500,000 for worthy causes since Carol took on the Stables some 30years ago.

For more information visit www.wvstables.com and www.hemingwaysbar.co.uk with all riding centres in London being listed under www.hoof-in-town.com

£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.

The Duchess of Cornwall hosts lunch for HOOF-supported charity

The Duchess of Cornwall chose to show her support for an equestrian charity as her first appointment since breaking her leg.

As president of the charity, Ebony Horse Club and a patron of the BEF, who are also supporting the charity through the HOOF Ride London project, Her Royal Highness declared, "I could not be more thrilled that these two very special organisations are working so closely together."

The lunch was attended by various supporters of the Club including Clare Balding, Dane Rawlins, Emile Faurie, Jemma Kidd, riders, trainers and breeders.

In giving focus, discipline and a chance to succeed to some of the most disadvantaged youngsters from Brixton, the Club has offered riding and horsemastership to more than 300 children and, when the vital final funds are received to build a £1.7million centre right in Brixton itself, so scores more will be able to join.

BEF London Representative David Gadsby said, "I really hope the lunch went some way to making people aware of the high level of support the charity has and also just how urgently it needs funding - anything anyone can contribute will make a difference."

Duchess of Cornwall chooses Hoof supported Charity

The Duchess of Cornwall chose a British Equestrian Federation-supported charity as her first appointment since breaking her leg just two weeks ago.

Hosting a lunch at Clarence House on Wednesday 21 April for supporters of the Ebony Horse Club, of which she is President, Her Royal Highness apologised for her diminished stature and joked, “I’m afraid your patron hasn’t got a leg to stand on.”

The Duchess, a patron of the BEF continued, “I could not be more thrilled that these two very special organisations are working so closely together – to help Ebony realise its dream of building a riding centre in south London – and that this remarkable project will form part of the equestrian community’s London 2012 Olympic Legacy.”

The Club provides riding and stable management lessons to help improve the life skills, education and attainment of some of the most disadvantaged children and young people growing up in Brixton by providing access to riding and mentoring.

Through the HOOF Ride London project, the BEF has pledged some £200,000 towards the Club and in addition helped in the arrangements for the reception at Clarence House that included current supporters and potential new donors from business, media and equestrian sectors as Ebony Horse Club bids to raise £1.7million to build a stables and educational facility in the heart of Brixton.

Chairman of the BEF, Keith Taylor, read out a message of support from the President of the FEI, Princess Haya of Jordan, and as his conclusion quoted Toni Robinson, saying, "Horses change lives. They give our young associates confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls -- they give us hope."  

With a plethora of support from entrepreneurs to charitable foundations equestrian support for a charity of this kind is relatively recent.

Clare Balding, Jemma Kidd, Dane Rawlins, Emile Faurie, representatives from the Warwickshire Hunt and horse breeders were among those present, who were unanimously passionate about the work of the Club.

Using horses to teach five key social skills; punctuality, regular attendance, commitment to improvement, team work and exam preparation so many of the over 300 children to have grown up with Ebony have gone on to achieve beyond their expectations.

“Ebony gave me my reference for my first job”, explained Mussei Kidane who is now a volunteer youth worker for the Club while studying Marketing, Advertising and Business Law at University, adding, “Even my brother who was kicked out of a few schools doesn’t get in to trouble now as Ebony has really helped him and Ros Spearing (the founder and director of Ebony) would go to his school meetings.”

Photographs are available via the Press Association – Getty Images.

To find out more about the BEF London Olympic Legacy, HOOF-Ride London visit www.hoof-in-town.com

Donations can be made online at www.ebonyhorseclub.org.uk – or send cheque to Ebony Horse Club, The Loughborough Community Centre, 105 Angell Rd, London, SW9 7PD.

HOOF supported Ebony Horse Club to be featured on TV

Watch BBC Breakfast and the News Channel this Sunday and you'll be able to see Ebony Horse Club in action. 

Ebony Horse Club is to receive £200,000 from HOOF Ride London, the Olympic Legacy project from the British Equestrian Federation, to go towards a bespoke riding centre in the middle of Brixton, helping the under 18year olds from this run down inner city area to learn to ride and look after horses. 

Many of the pupils from this inspirational club have gone on to equestrian careers but perhaps more importantly than this, Ebony has given them a focus and a safe haven from an otherwise challenging environment in which to grow up.

If you miss it, fear not, the feature will also be online after 4pm on Saturday!