Saturday 29th September will be a red letter day in the proud 50 years-plus history of Cotswold Riding for the Disabled Association.

That’s because that is when they will be opening their brand new stable block at their home at Cheltenham Racecourse – and, what’s more, the opening is taking place on time and the building work was within budget.

Celebrated Great Britain Paralympic dressage star Natasha Baker, who has been patron of Cotswold RDA since 2013, will be the guest of honour on the big day.

The stables will replace half-a-dozen old stalls next to the riding school and Claire Jenkins, Cotswold RDA’s general manager, said: “The stalls had served us well but after 35 years they were in poor repair and no longer fit for purpose.

“The new secure stables will allow us to house ponies close to the school overnight, which means our volunteers will no longer have to walk them back to their fields in the dark and rain.

“This will really help our after-school clubs to run smoothly whatever the weather.”

The new stable block boasts 10 large loose boxes, a wash area and a secure tack room. Cotswold RDA raised over £160,000, which was enough to fund not just the stables but also refurbishment of the kitchen and toilet areas and the purchase of a muck trailer – unglamorous but essential!

Claire added: “We are so grateful to all the organisations which contributed to this project, not just for the funding but also for all the practical expertise which was so generously given.”

Today some 28,000 children and adults benefit from Riding for the Disabled’s activities all over the UK, but there are thousands more waiting to join in. Support from donations and legacies is vital to RDA to ensure that even more people’s lives can be changed for the better – and volunteers are always needed.

If you would like to get involved at Cotswold RDA please visit www.cotswoldrda.org.uk to find out more, or contact Claire on 01242 584420.