North Cornwall Riding for the Disabled Association invited Martin Clunes to cut the ribbon for their latest charity development.
The Clare Milne Trust were delighted to award a grant to North Cornwall RDA recently, allowing them to purchase “Elodie” the mechanical horse, a valuable addition to support their work.
North Cornwall Riding for the Disabled have officially introduced “Elodie”, a cutting edge mechanical horse. The trustees explained the real value and benefit of this fabulous addition, allowing riders to develop key skills in a controlled environment and expanding the ways that they can encourage and support disabled riders of all ages, experience and skill level. In the first few months Elodie has already become a valuable facility, extremely popular with many visiting riders.
Martin Clunes has strong local connections and passion for horses kindly travelled to Cornwall especially to cut the ribbon on this exciting development, and was delighted see Elodie put through its paces.
After the opening, two riders gave demonstrations on the mechanical horse to show how it is used daily. The first was by 6 year old Elodie, after whom the mechanical horse has been named. Elodie’s mother passionately highlighted the significant benefit that she has enjoyed, even after just a few months of using the mechanical horse. It has helped build her confidence, improve her balance, develop her strength, posture and riding skills, all benefiting her when riding the real ponies and her personal development. A senior rider Claire then climbed on, not hiding her love of the riding experience and it’s benefit.
The mechanical horse was funded with support from The Clare Milne Trust, Riding for the Disabled Association, UK Together, The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust and the National Lottery following incredible fundraising efforts by the charity’s trustees and volunteers. Elodie’s grandfather could see her love for horses and the benefit the charity was having, so he walked 200 miles from Wadebridge in Cornwall via the South West Coast Path to Taunton, Somerset raising over £10,000 on the way!
The guests were given an insight into the charity’s work, including disabled riders giving amazing displays of their riding skills, highlighting the invaluable wider impact of horse riding on their lives.
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