Riding for the Disabled

For nearly 50 years Court Meadow Group Riding for the Disabled has been enriching the lives of children and young people, bringing them confidence, joy and personal growth. Sara Whatley visited a session in progress

In 1977 a little note was published in the Mid Sussex Times by a local resident asking if anyone would like to start up a Riding for the Disabled Group in the area. This was seen by some ladies – Jean Musson, Carolyn Steel, Angie Peel Cross, Liz Courtly and Angela Urridge and others who decided to take on this challenge with an initial donation of just £30! 

Forty-eight years later Jean Musson is still there coaching every week, along with over forty other volunteers, guiding and coaching the children and young people on their horses and ponies and making sure they are getting everything they can out of this special experience. 

The Group initially worked only with pupils from Court Meadow School originally based in Cuckfield, hence the name of the group which they kept. This school merged with Newick House school in Burgess Hill to form Woodlands Meed School – also based in Burgess Hill. Today, the group work with a range of local SEN schools and also pupils from state schools, catering for pupils who are neurodivergent or have other learning disabilities. 

Many of the children and young people have sensory issues, so even coming to the stables can be a challenge for them with the strong smells and unfamiliar environment. Putting on hats and gloves can be particularly challenging for some of the pupils, but they are gently encouraged to do so by the volunteers. 

“We try to get them up on the mounting block and mounted on the horse as quickly as possible,” explained volunteer coach Babs Malins. “Once they start riding the gentle rocking motion of the horse is soothing and they have a lot of fun up there.”

Another volunteer, Sue Welch, explained a bit about equine therapy. “There are so many benefits; the feel of the horse, the warmth of the horse, its power, stroking the mane, and as the pupils are physically positioned up higher, they feel confident. It boosts their self-esteem.” 

Horses are also able to respond and mirror human behaviour making them ideal to work with in an interactive and non-judgemental way. People often feel able to express their emotions to a horse or pony and can build a meaningful relationship with them, particularly if they see them regularly. 

And the benefits of being with a horse not only positively impact mental health and wellbeing but also physical health, with equine therapy having been found to reduce blood pressure and heart rate, and symptoms of anxiety and stress. 

The pupils start as novice riders and go on to develop their equestrian and individual skills, while enjoying their sessions and having fun. In the summer some of the pupils go out into the fields and have the chanceto groom and saddle their ponies. 

I visited the Group for their weekly morning of riding sessions on a beautiful bright sunny day at Tremaines Riding Stables in Horsted Keynes, where they have been based for some years. The atmosphere was welcoming and relaxed with all the volunteers cheerfully working with the pupils or attentively watching from the side of the indoor or outdoor school. 

All the volunteers were very proud when one of the pupils, who had previously been unable to go near his pony, managed to get his hat on and lead his pony round with the help of the leader, and another pupil who arrived for the first time that morning and enjoyed riding around the school. 

“Some of these children can be quite lively,” said Group Secretary Carolyn, “but once they are mounted they are different children.” The feedback the Group receive from the schools confirms this too, with teachers saying they are amazed, and how quiet, attentive and happythe pupils are. Every pupil I saw was positively beaming as they rode around. 

When they arrive at the stables the pupils are helped into their hats and gloves then taken to mount their pony. There is a leader for each pony and a walker either side of them as well. The ponies are very gentle and used to being ridden.

“The nature of these horses has to be calm, as some of the pupils might suddenly move or shout out,” explained Babs Malins. I watched the class going round the large undercover school, then out into the small outdoor sand school where the pupils were weaving in and out of obstacles and then stopping next to a tall pole to pick out a coloured hoop. 

The volunteers at Court Meadow are a friendly and social group, all working hard during the morning’s sessions, then enjoying a coffee and catch up at the end. Many of them are long standing members, alongside Jean Musson who in 2014 was presented with the President’s Award for long service from HRH Princess Anne. Since then, two other members have received this award as well; Carol Rycroft and Sue Coote – Carol in 2017 and Sue earlier this year in 2025. 

All the volunteers are trained, and many are horse riders themselves, but they don’t have to be. As well as the physical and mental benefits the children and young people receive from riding the horses and ponies, the volunteers also get a lot out of it too, with a new social group, new skills, and for those that are retired a welcome purpose and meaning. 

“We do lots of fundraising events, including carol singing at Haywards Heath train station on 12 December,” Carolyn told me. Maggie, another volunteer, explained how after retiring ten years ago, she came to watch one morning, was asked to join in and never left! She is now a coach and loves what she does. 

Over the years there have been some significant moments for Court Meadow, including four occasions in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2009 when their riders qualified to compete in the Special Olympics, and in 2003 one of their riders represented Great Britain in the World Games. Between them they won an amazing nine gold, six silver and two bronze medals. 

In September 2004, the Group had the pleasure of welcoming HRH The Princess Royal at a ceremony to mark the granting of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service. The Group was honored to be selected as one of only 100 recipients nationally in 2004. And in 2017, the Group celebrated their 40-year anniversary with a special day of celebration at the Albourne Equestrian Centre. 

They are always keen to welcome new volunteers. “No experience is necessary as training is given,” said Babs Malins. “There are many different areas to be covered, including grooming and tacking up the ponies, leading the ponies or side walking beside the pony to observe and support the young rider, and helping the pupils change into and out of hats.” 

www.courtmeadow-rda.org.uk