Every Tuesday evening and Friday morning during term time, Luccombe Riding Centre in Milton Abbas comes to life with a special kind of energy. Volunteers arrive early to groom and tack up ponies in preparation for the arrival of some very special riders – children and young people with a range of challenges, from communication difficulties to mobility and balance issues.
For more than 30 years, the Milton Abbas Group of Riding for the Disabled (RDA) has been supporting young people to gain new skills, grow in confidence and improve physical strength through the joy of horse riding. It’s part of the global RDA organisation, which has helped countless riders – some of whom have gone on to become Paralympians.
Tuesday evenings welcome individual riders, while Friday mornings see children from Beaucroft Foundation School in Wimborne enjoy sessions in the indoor arena. Some arrive shy or unsure, but thanks to the patience and encouragement of volunteers, and the determination of the riders, remarkable progress happens.
But it all comes at a cost. The Milton Abbas Group is an independent charity with no official funding, and it needs to raise around £4,000 a year to keep going.
To help meet this target, the group is holding an Auction of Promises on Saturday 7th June 2025, generously hosted at the Hall & Woodhouse Visitor Centre in Blandford. With a wide range of exciting promises up for grabs, it’s set to be a fantastic evening. Tickets are £15, including a welcome drink and summer buffet.
Full catalogue or tickets from Ali King:
alison.king196@gmail.com or 07709 255509
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