Decades of dedicated work to provide life-changing riding therapy for disabled people of all ages across the High Peak in Derbyshire have been crowned with an official visit by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
The Princess Royal – who this year celebrates 40 years as President of the national Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) – received a warm welcome from volunteers, riders, supporters and official guests representing Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA on Friday February 14.
Greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs. Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, she met civic dignitaries and various representatives of the charity before watching musical riding and carriage driving displays at the Helen Atkin Group’s covered arena at Buxton Riding School, Fern Road, Buxton.
Her Royal Highness – escorted by Group Chairperson Janine Frost – also presented rosettes to participating riders and long-service awards to volunteers, horses and ponies, before cutting a celebratory cake and unveiling a commemorative plaque. She also received a posy from one of the group’s youngest riders, six-year-old Emmie Wakerley.
Principal long-service awards were presented to Julie Andrew and Pat Atkin (37 years each), Janette Sykes (35 years) and Louise Thompson (25 years). Another 15 volunteers also received recognition for their services, ranging from five years to 20 years, as did long-serving horses and ponies Cracker, Big Daisy and Floyd.
“We were all absolutely thrilled when we learned that The Princess Royal had accepted our invitation to come and see at first hand our state-of-the-art covered arena and the wider range of activities we are now able to offer disabled riders of all ages – including carriage driving, led by one of our Trustees, Jo Taylor,” said Janine
“We know that she has taken a close and active interest in the valuable and therapeutic work done by the RDA ever since she became Patron in 1971, so it was a great honour for us all to welcome her here today to celebrate our commitment and contribution to its continuing success.
“It was also a wonderful opportunity for six of our riders – ranging in age from six years to more than 60 years – to be able to share with The Princess Royal the skills they have learned, the physical and mental benefits they experience and the sheer enjoyment they get from their regular sessions with our friendly and supportive team.
“Both they and our volunteers were all so proud to receive commemorative rosettes and long-service awards from her. Her genuine interest and enthusiasm for what we do is an inspiration – and it’s been a truly special day that none of us here at Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA will ever forget.”
Michael Bishop, Chief Executive of RDA, who attended the event, added: “‘RDA is extremely thankful to our President, HRH The Princess Royal, for her ongoing support. Her recognition of our groups, volunteers and participants means so much to the RDA community, and I am delighted she was able to join us today to celebrate the dedication and achievements of everyone at Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA.”
Other key guests on the day included the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Colonel John Wilson OBE and Consort Mrs. Lisa Brown; The High Sheriff of Derbyshire Mr. Ian Morgan OBE and Mrs. Sylvia Morgan; Civic Chair of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Tony Kemp and Mrs. Diana Kemp; Mayor and Mayoress of High Peak Councillor Stewart and Mrs. Melissa Gardner; High Peak MP Jon Pearce; RDA Chief Executive Mr. Michael Bishop and RDA’s Derbyshire County Chair and carriage driving coach Chris Marbrow..
Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA was launched in 1987 by Pat Atkin – who is still its Treasurer today – her late husband John, Trustee Julie Andrew and her late husband Doug, their daughter Caroline Watmough and other interested parties after the untimely death of the Atkins’ daughter Helen at the age of 19. From very small beginnings, and in close partnership with Buxton Riding School, the charity has thrived and expanded over almost four decades.
Current co-owner of the riding school, Caroline’s sister Louise Thompson, is an accredited RDA instructor. She and her husband Dave carried out extensive groundwork for the group’s showpiece covered arena during the Covid pandemic, ready for riding to resume in October 2021.
Now the group offers regular riding sessions for around 80 riders on suitable horses and ponies hired from Buxton Riding School and has about 50 volunteers. Some of its riders have scored success in both regional and national RDA competitions such as the Countryside Challenge and dressage in recent years. Regular carriage driving sessions were re-introduced in 2024 using Jimmy, a specially-trained pony supplied by Louise’s cousin Robert Andrew, after a gap of more than 20 years.
