Nothing stands in the way of this young rider

Horse riding provides a focus and it is a safe space to grow and learn – young rider Adi, who is deaf and partially sighted cantered and jumped for the first time while on holiday with us – we couldn’t be prouder!

Last year Island Riding Centre and Disability Review Magazine ran a giveaway competition to win a riding holiday on the Isle of Wight at Island Riding Centre. This month, competition winners Emma and her daughter Adi, 11, enjoyed an adventurous stay exploring the Island and enjoying the riding centre’s horse riding activities.

Emma and Adi won the competition by sending in a photograph of Adi on a horse when she was three. Adi was receiving treatment for a brain tumour and was at a cancer retreat and had met horses for the first time.  During her stay at Island Riding Centre she cantered for the first time “It was wonderful to see”, her mum Emma Bara added, “The tumour and it’s treatment left Adi  deaf in both ears, blind in one eye and with depth perception and coordination issues, so to canter is quite a scary thing to do. It was a really emotional moment for her and I am so proud of what she’s achieved”. She also went on to jump for the first time, “I feel really happy and safe and calm.” Said Adi when she horse rides.

The benefits of working with, meeting and riding horses are vast – horses don’t judge you and they don’t treat you any differently whether you are disabled or able bodied. Working with horses gives a sense of freedom, autonomy and purpose. Adi loves riding horses, “It feels like it’s what I should be doing”, she said.

The equestrian centre and accommodation units at Island Riding Centre have been specially built Using the National Accessible Scheme for Disabled Access as a guide, the accessible accommodation ranges from M1-M3 and the centre itself has a Changing Places toilet, a Parahoist (lifting a rider onto the saddle) and a specialised mounting block to enable carers to assist mounting.