A HORSE-RIDING school for the disabled which hosts sessions in Denbighshire has purchased a new horse trailer after it received a Peoples Postcode Lottery grant.

North Wales Calon Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a charity, which travels around areas such as Corwen, and supports disabled children and adults by allowing them to benefit from the therapy and fun that comes with horse riding.

The grant from RDA UK was made possible thanks to People's Postcode Lottery players and will now allow riders to get back in the saddle across the county.

Rather than operating from just one venue, Calon transports its trained horses to arenas and riding schools around the area.

The money has funded the purchase of a trailer to transport horses across the region, so that more people can take part in activities.

The grant is one of 31 distributed by RDA UK to its member groups around the UK as part of its ‘Crisis and Resilience’ project.

In March, like all RDA groups around the UK, Calon closed completely. Research by RDA has shown that these closures have had a significant impact on participants, with 80% experiencing a decline in their physical wellbeing.

The new horse trailer has enabled Calon to restart RDA activities in the region, and to support other RDA groups in the area who have not been able to reopen yet.

RDA County Chair, Claire Howe said: “We are so grateful to RDA UK and players of People’s Postcode Lottery for making this happen. Lockdown has been hard for all of us, but especially for our riders. Lockdown has been really tough for them, missing out on the physical activity of riding, as well as the social side.

"Thankfully with the support of our trustees, volunteers and our participants Calon RDA restarted activities in July. Our new trailer has enabled us to expand the number of sessions we run weekly – and will help other RDA groups in the area by supporting some of their riders at regional events too.”

Chief Executive of RDA UK, Ed Bracher said: “Groups like Calon have been doing a great job of trying to keep their communities together during lockdown, but now they want to prepare the ground for returning to activity. We are grateful to everyone who has supported our fundraising appeal, including players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Your generosity is helping groups all over the UK to return to their vital work – enriching lives through horses.”