Cotswold Riding for the Disabled, an organisation which does so much good for so many people, is celebrating after winning a top award.

They have been voted the best RDA Riding School of the Year in a competition run by the British Horse Foundation.

It is a huge and deserved honour for an organisation that has been going for 54 years and has been based for the last 39 at Cheltenham Racecourse.

“It’s a huge boost for us, it’s the first time we’ve ever won this award,” said Claire Jenkins, who is general manager of Cotswold Riding for the Disabled, an organisation that boasts more than 200 volunteers.

“When you look at some of the competition it really is a great achievement, we’re very proud.

“But this win isn’t just for the staff, it’s for everyone – the volunteers, the riders, the families, the trustees and, of course, the ponies.”

Cotswold RDA beat off the challenge of Barrow Farm RDA in Essex to take the award and Claire added: “They are a very similar yard to us, they’ve got a similar number of volunteers and a similar number of riders.”

Cotswold RDA has more than 220 riders with the youngest aged three and the oldest 84, so what persuaded the judges to give them the award?

“I think it was our un-mounted equine activities,” said Claire. “Even though we’ve got well over 200 riders we still have a waiting list of over 80, we wanted to make more of a difference.

“So we introduced Tea with a Pony, which allows people living with dementia and other disabilities to enjoy a cup of tea and have a slice of cake while watching a group riding lesson, followed by meeting our ponies and a tour through our stables and sensory walk.”

The benefits are huge, as is the work that Cotswold RDA does for so many riders who have a disability, whether it be physical, mental or a learning difficulty, in terms of their horsemanship, physical improvement and enjoyment.

They also measure a rider’s confidence, communication and relationship building.

Their award – the competition was sponsored by SEIB insurance brokers – is just reward for those people who go way above and way beyond to help others.

And they certainly deserved their big night out at the 5 star Leonardo Royal Hotel in London where they were presented with their trophy by champion eventer Harry Meade.

“We put on our poshest frocks,” laughed Claire. “Normally we just wear jeans and boots but we showed we’ve got legs!”