Nestled within the grounds of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham Saddle Club has been in existence since the 1960s. 

This year has seen an exciting opportunity for our little saddle club come to fruition and the newly named Shrivenham Equestrian Centre (SEC) now has charitable status as it is now formally operating as subsidiary of the Armed Forces Equine Charity.  This will ensure the future sustainability of the SEC, allowing us both to continue to provide riding and livery services but also to bring the power of the horse and the power of sport to our Armed Forces Community.

Over the last year the UK has lost 15% of its equestrian centres, this is the equivalent of losing more than 1.5 million riding lessons every single year. That’s 1.5 million fewer opportunities for children and adults to build a love of horses.

At the SEC we make Equine Sport, Recreation affordable, accessible, and available.  For many will be aware that equestrianism can be cost prohibitive, being part of the Armed Forces Equine Chairty means we can offset the costs of participation by a minimum of 25% from the local area market rate.

SEC is also a member of the Pony Club; an international youth organisation for all young people under the age of 25 who are interested in horse riding and horse care. The Pony Club is represented in 27 counties worldwide and has more than 110,000 members.

The aims of The Pony Club are:

• To encourage young people to ride and to learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with ponies and riding.
• To give instruction in riding and horsemastership and to educate Members to look after and to take proper care of animals.
• To promote the highest ideals of sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty to create strength of character and self-discipline.

Our regular events, including the annual Pony Club Camp are a great success and allows young people who do not have their own ponies to take part in all the Pony Club has to offer, including working towards the various badges and Pony Club tests.

We have started our journey towards the delivery of Equine Assisted Learning to neurodiverse and disabled children on a weekly basis. Through this we help to Develop skills such as communication, self-control, problem solving, as well as improving self-esteem, empathy, flexibility and independence.

Here’s what some of clients have said……

“J has found the weekly horse riding has helped him in several ways: His self-confidence has increased considerably, being able to control both a horse and his own body has built his confidence and he has learned to be proud of his achievements. Also, his ability to listen, understand and follow instructions quickly and concisely has increased.”

‘What a find. My son was previously going to another riding school in the Wiltshire area but wasn’t really learning anything and was on a lead rein. SC was suggested to us, we managed to get him a private lesson booked with Tina. No lead rein from the get-go and after couple of lessons his confidence and progression was unbelievable. He really enjoys their pony mornings too. A great yard with a lovely bunch of people’

“My daughter has been riding at Shrivenham Equestrian Centre since 2014. She was a tiny 4-year-old when she started on pony lead outs and then, when old enough, she moved on to weekly lessons. R has undiagnosed ADHD (she is under SENCO at secondary school) and all the staff at SEC have been nothing but patient and encouraging with her. She had such low confidence and no self-esteem but they cheer for her triumphs as loudly as I do and know exactly how to get her through any wobbles. Without their support she definitely would not be the confident and independent 13 year old as she is now.

The ponies at Shrivenham are the real heart of the centre. The staff know them inside out and care deeply about their welfare and making sure they enjoy their work and that includes matching the riders to the ponies. They’ve forged some wonderful partnerships with clients and ponies. I would recommend Shrivenham Equestrian Centre to anyone wanting to introduce their child to the world of riding and horse care.”

Our aim is to increase our delivery of Equine Assisted Learning to neurodiverse and disabled children on a weekly basis. The target is to deliver to 100 children over 12-months.

Here at the SEC, we want to build on the success of the last year and expand our outputs to deliver Equine Assisted Services for military Veterans who are in Recovery, Rehabilitation and Therapy. The centre will provide both clinical and non-clinical support and an integrated care pathway that goes far beyond what happens on site. The target is to deliver 5 x one week Veterans Recovery Courses that will support up to 50 at risk Veterans over a 12-month period.