Disabled people across the High Peak now have the chance to try their hand at driving a pony and carriage for the first time since the millennium.
Helen Atkin Group Buxton Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has reintroduced regular driving sessions in its covered arena at Buxton Riding School, Fern Road, after a break of more than 20 years.
The group’s carriage driving lead and Trustee Jo Taylor, Treasurer Pat Atkin – who with her late husband John ran the original carriage driving sessions – and fellow volunteer Chris Staples have all qualified as accredited RDA driving coaches after a year’s intensive training and assessment.
Now it is hoped driving will be available on selected Wednesday afternoons throughout the year – offering disabled people the chance to enjoy the health benefits of being and interacting with horses without riding them.
“This is a very exciting development in our group’s history, and has been made possible because of our spacious, state-of-art covered arena, built in partnership with Buxton Riding School,” said Group Chairperson Janine Frost
“Now disabled people who would like to have a go at carriage driving can do so in safety and comfort, shielded from the elements, with expert help and support from our three accredited coaches, who have all worked so hard to qualify, and a nucleus of specially trained volunteers.
For Pat Atkin – one of the group’s founder members, and after whose late daughter it is named – it’s a welcome opportunity to see the two-wheeled Bennington Superstar carriage she and John originally used back in action.
Specially-trained pony Jimmy – donated to Buxton Riding School by Robert Andrew of Tideswell, and hired by Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA – is also sporting the smart patent leather tack that the Atkins used more than two decades ago.
The volunteer coaches have all been put through their paces during a year of free tuition from RDA’s Derbyshire County Chair and carriage driving coach Chris Marbrow and her team at Wenlo RDA Group, near Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Both private donations and £3,000 raised at a series of events at the Queen Anne pub in Great Hucklow have helped to cover initial costs, such as buying extra equipment and servicing the carriage, and to get the new venture off to a flying start.
Safety is paramount: the carriage has a wheelchair accessible ramp and has a quick-release mechanism to free the pony from the carriage shafts in case of emergency. All sessions, lasting around 30 minutes each, are led by an accredited coach, who concentrates on steering and the trainee driver, and a dedicated groom, whose focus is on the pony
“We’ve already had a lot of interest from disabled people wanting to learn a new skill in a positive and friendly environment, and sessions are going really well so far,” said Jo Taylor.
“Jimmy is such a well-trained and biddable pony, who hasn’t put a foot wrong and has been very patient with us through the training process. Now our aim is to help everyone involved master new techniques and build their confidence, as well as to relax and enjoy the experience just as much as we do.”
Anyone who would like to know more is invited to contact Jo on 07947 138437 or at jodot@live.com
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