Riding for the Disabled

On the 8th May the guest speaker at The Howe of Fife Rotary Club was Aileen Jones from Riding for the Disabled Fife, the St Andrews base in East Fife of the UK wide organisation. The central focus of Riding for the Disabled is to provide unique opportunities for youngsters and adults to experience the therapeutic and other benefits of riding specially trained horses and ponies.

Aileen illustrated through video sequences and photographs just how carefully designed are these experiences and interactions with the horses, experiences that open new opportunities for enjoyment and personal achievement which would not otherwise happen for these individuals. In some cases unlocking otherwise closed avenues of communication. Teams of instructors and volunteers ensure that all clients are fully supported.

The centre, established in St Andrews at Scooniehill in 1976, relies entirely on donations, requiring £38,000 a year to be raised. Fundraising activities, information and events are on the charity's website at