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Stockeld Park RDA Group was started in 1973 by Jean Marie Dickens and Rosamund Gough. It was officially opened by The Princess Royal in May of that year. The group recently celebrated 50 years (1973 – 2023) of continuous riding service to children with special needs and disabilities in our community.

Our original home was Stockeld Park but when the indoor school was converted to The Christmas Adventure we moved on to Sicklinghall Park but decided to keep our old name. We had an excellent indoor school and some pretty quiet lanes for short hacks. Unfortunately after 13 happy years we moved to a new venue – Harrogate Riding Centre which has fantastic in-door arena facilities and we hope to be there for many years to come.

We provide children with physical and/or learning difficulties, from four local schools, with the opportunity to ride. If it were not for our group these children would not have the chance to benefit from this unique experience. In addition to bringing great pleasure, riding also improves the child’s balance, posture, co-ordination, communication and confidence.

OUR PONIES

We have four private ponies which are travelled in trailers each week by their owners for the morning sessions – Holly, Butsy, Bee and Kitty Meg of which we are very grateful to be able to use them.

We have six ponies that we hire from the riding school for the two afternoon sessions.