Business as usual at Buxton's disabled riding charity

Business is continuing as usual at Helen Atkin Group Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), where all riding and carriage driving sessions remain unaffected by forthcoming changes at Buxton Riding School.

"Both I and my fellow trustees would like to reassure all our riders, parents, carers and supporters that we are operating as normal after the announcement that riding lessons will no longer be available at Buxton Riding School from the end of March," said Group Chairperson Janine Frost.

"I am pleased to report that we are committed to continuing the close partnership we have forged with riding school owners Louise and Dave Thompson over almost four decades to ensure that disabled people of all ages across the High Peak will still have access to regular, life-changing riding therapy sessions.

"We also hope that all those who very generously donate funds to enable us to operate will continue to support us as we look forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary next year, as well as throughout the years to come.

"We are a self-supporting, registered charity, and as such have to raise all our own income, as well as relying on the commitment and generosity of our dedicated community of unpaid volunteers to continue making a massive difference to so many disabled people's lives."

Helen Atkin Group RDA hires ponies and horses from Buxton Riding School at Fern Farm, Fern Road, to enable around 80 riders aged from six to more than 60 to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of horse riding in its state-of-the-art, purpose-built arena, which opened in 2021. It was officially opened by multi-Gold Medal winning Paralympic dressage rider Sir Lee Pearson CBE in 2022, and played host to an official visit from HRH The Princess Royal, President of the national Riding for the Disabled Association, in 2025.

Helen Atkin Group RDA is a voluntary group (charity number 1182183) providing riding therapy for disabled children and adults aged from six to over 60 across the High Peak, using selected horses and ponies hired from Buxton Riding School. New volunteers are always warmly welcomed - if you would like to help and would like to find out more, please contact Group Secretary Deborah Ward, on 07940 516060 or email wardsinbuxton@gmail.com.

For more information, visit its website at helenatkinrda.org.uk or its Facebook page at facebook.com/Buxton RDA.