Greenwich youngsters saddle-up for free

3:26pm Monday 1st December 2008

School children have been enjoying free riding lessons in a bid to promote equestrian among youngsters before the London Olympics.

Twelve pupils from primary schools around Greenwich have been saddling-up at Willowtree Riding Centre in Ronver Road, Lee, over the last 10 weeks.

As well as riding, they have been taught how to look after horses and how to maintain a safe and tidy stable.

The scheme was designed to raise the profile of the sport before Greenwich hosts equestrian events in 2012.

Council cabinet member for culture and the Olympics, Councillor John Fahy, presented certificates to the children at the final session last week.

He said: “This project was a fantastic way of giving children a taster of the sport and helping to break down some of the perceived images of riding as a middle class sport.”

The scheme was organised by the Greenwich School Sport Partnership and the British Equestrian Federation