Posted: 30th January 2017 | Back to news feed
Barguse Riding Centre based in Lockengate, Cornwall, was established by Lisa Todd and her husband Alistair in 2007. After running a livery yard for many years, training and schooling clients’ horses and teaching in her spare time, Lisa decided to set up her own riding school with the aim of helping other riders to fulfil their potential.
Lisa’s own knowledge has been gained through training with some inspirational instructors, including the late Franz Rochowansky, former Chief Rider of The Spanish Riding School.
In 2015 Barguse Riding Centre gained its Accessibility Mark accreditation, becoming one of the first riding establishments to recognise the merit of the scheme. Two years on from signing up, the benefits to the centre’s disabled riders have been rewarding for everyone involved.
When did your passion for horses start?
I started relatively late compared to many people, at nine years old, at the local riding school but from then on, I spent every available moment when I wasn’t at school, at the yard.
When did you set up Barguse Riding Centre and what was your vision and inspiration?
We purchased Barguse 10 years ago when my husband and I moved down from Berkshire to Cornwall. Previously, I had run a livery yard for over 16 years and I felt I wanted a change of direction.
Having always really enjoyed teaching, I saw a riding school as a natural progression. At the time, Barguse was relatively small but over the years we have increased the amount of instructors and horses we have to give riders the opportunity for flexibility and also invited world class trainers to run clinics here to give local riders the chance to experience a different level of instruction and experience.
What has been you greatest achievement, both ridden and when teaching others?
I cannot really pick out my greatest achievement when riding as often it was the smaller events such as getting a young horse clear around a novice event course for the first time that I felt had been a greater achievement than say qualifying for a regional final of a competition series.
I had a very broad riding career from jumping at low level British Showjumping and British Eventing in my youth to riding at Advanced level dressage and competing for clients at County Shows. It was the dressage that was a real passion for me and which first led me to teach a partially sighted rider.
At the time, Para-Dressage was relatively new but the young girl I was teaching was determined to get on the team. It was as much a learning curve for me as her and together we found a way around any issues that crept up. She went on to represent the South West, won a TASS scholarship (no longer in use) and was put on the Pathway scheme for potential Olympic riders.
She was an inspiration because she never saw anything as an obstacle and was always positive. Since then, I’ve been involved with many other disabled riders and riders with learning difficulties and I am aware that the benefits of riding can have far reaching effects beyond just the obvious physical ones. For many, it gives a sense of achievement and boosts self-confidence, allowing them to feel good about themselves.
Why did you decide to become an Accessibility Mark accredited centre?
We were already providing riding sessions for disabled riders from local day centres and for children and adults with learning difficulties. By becoming an accredited centre we felt it would allow us to access further training and support in this area and also help signpost prospective riders in our direction who were unsure of what was on offer in their area. Accessibility Mark also gives clients reassurance that we comply with all the regulations that are required these days.
Tell me about the riders that enjoy the Accessibility Mark sessions and their achievements?
We have a wide range of ages and abilities that enjoy our Accessibility Mark sessions but the majority are aged from 15 to late 40’s. For many, just sitting on a horse for an hour is therapeutic and having that time to interact with an animal and socialise with others is important.
You will always know when one of our Accessibility Mark sessions is running because of the noise level from all the laughter and chatter!
The Accessibility Mark sessions include a variety of activities including a lot of obstacles courses and mounted games. Not only are these great fun but it also allows us to work on various areas that therapists have highlighted could help improve the well-being of the rider. This can include core strength, co-ordination, and concentration, the list and benefits are endless!
The aim is that at the end of each term, each rider has achieved a manageable goal for themselves and they are awarded a certificate.
How do you feel opportunities for disabled riders have improved?
The biggest improvement for disabled riders is that there is far better access to riding than previously. Riding schools can receive more specialised training to help identify individual riders’ needs and improve a person’s riding experience.
Disabled riders also have the chance to try different aspects of our sport whether it is carriage driving, endurance or dressage, there are far more opportunities out there and the use of specialised equipment is easier to obtain which all helps.
I feel a lot of progress has also been made in people’s attitudes towards disabled riders; this has definitely changed for the better. With the success of the Para-Olympics, it is no longer seen as the poor relation and going forward it will only continue to grow.
With the help of Accessibility Mark, how do you see the future for disabled riders at Barguse, will this bring new opportunities?
I’m hoping that the Accessibility Mark scheme will enable disabled riders to try and achieve new skills. With the help of the RDA, we have access to more resources and ideas which we now implement. It is an ever-evolving process which challenges us to think outside the normal boundaries and deliver fun, interactive sessions for the riders.
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in partnership with Hoof, the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) participation programme launched the Accessibility Mark scheme to encourage those who do not already partake in equestrian activities or would not usually have the opportunity to do so, to experience the many benefits that riding can bring.
Accessibility Mark status is awarded to a riding centre that has been approved by RDA following training and assessment.
There are currently 38 Accessibility Mark approved centres across the country.
To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit www.rda.org.uk or
www.equestrianindex.com/services/equestrian-centres/riding-for-the-disabled-groups
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