Hanford School recently celebrated 50 years of providing riding opportunities for disabled children, with the Hanford Group RDA joined by pupils, staff, and ponies for the occasion. Chief instructor Sandy Millard and treasurer Sue Ryan have overseen hundreds of children with special needs on their weekly rides around the school’s grounds.

The RDA group brings children from Yewstock School to ride at Hanford, with volunteers looking after approximately ten children each term, many of whom have not ridden before. The children benefit greatly from their rides and learn from the ponies, with the volunteers finding it rewarding to see the joy on the children’s faces during their time on the ponies.

The partnership between Hanford and the RDA has brought happiness to many children over the past 50 years, with riding being a central part of life at Hanford. The RDA is always looking for more volunteers, who do not need riding experience but should enjoy being outdoors, working with children, and being around ponies. Interested volunteers can contact Sandy through Hanford’s School Office.