Lenny Rush, the BAFTA award-winning actor, inaugurated the new sensory track at Epsom Riding For The Disabled on Sunday 24th September. The opening took place during the Epsom RDA Open Day, which was attended by over 1,400 people. Lenny is well-known for his work on the Daisy May Cooper comedy-drama series “Am I Being Unreasonable?” and “Dodger”, a BBC One series. He received the breakthrough award at the 2023 National Comedy Awards.
This was the first open day and dog show organized by Epsom RDA. The event had to be postponed earlier due to high temperatures. The primary objective of the event was to raise awareness and funds for the charity. Epsom RDA provides individuals with physical and learning disabilities, both children and adults, the opportunity to improve their health and wellbeing with the help of horses’ therapeutic power.
The main event of the day was the opening of the new sensory track by Lenny. The sensory track is there to get the horse and rider use to different surfaces and obstacles. The pave winds around a enclosed paddock lined with brightly coloured obstacles. Each with their own rules. For example what looks like a simple gate with 2 barrels the horse and rider must go around each barrel before moving on to the next obstacle.
After Lenny cut the ribbon two riders entered the garden and tried out the new sensory track giving a demonstration to the crowds watching on. Afterwards Lenny meet both riders and horses and presented them with rosettes.
Established in 1969, Epsom RDA is run and managed entirely by volunteers, operates from a 14-acre site in Epsom, Surrey, running sessions run seven days a week, including evenings, 50 weeks of the year. The charity has provided over 3,000 riding lessons for 350 disabled adults and children. All made possible by over 200 volunteers.
Ray Lee, Fundraising Trustee, says, “We are very excited to be able to open our doors to the community and showcase the incredible work of our riders, horses and volunteers. Funds raised are vital in supporting the horses, volunteer training and maintenance of the stables. The work we do is so important to us all, especially when we see the smiles on the riders’ faces and celebrate their successes at the National RDA Championships.”
Absolutely fantastic! Thank you for your continued support