Princess Anne has visited a branch of Riding for the Disabled Association, where she serves as President.
Princess Anne, a keen horse lover and former Olympian, paid a visit to the charity’s Exeter branch where she cut a cake to celebrate the branch’s 50th anniversary.
The Princess Royal took a tour of the Oaklands Riding School which support the Riding for the Disabled branch. Following that she watched a display given by nine riders from the association. The riders were assisted by a team of volunteers. Each rider was presented with a rosette by Princess Anne to mark the performance.
The Riding for the Disabled Association gives horse-riding and carriage driving lessons to children and adults alike with disabilities.
The Princess described her visit to the 50-year-celebration as a “rare treat” as it is “one of the oldest groups in the country.”
Two riders, Sophie Case and Maddie Cavill, presented Princess Anne with flowers and a book about the local area.
The branch chairman, bob Giager, said: “It was a great honour for us to have Princess Anne come and visit us.”
“It was a really special day for everyone and a great way of thanking all our volunteers and supporters.”
Joyce Newbery, who owns the Oakland Riding school said that they are “Proud to be supporters” of the charity.
She also said that it was “a great honour to have Princess Anne visit again in recognition of all the hard work and dedication that goes into enabling disabled children to ride.”
Princess Anne has a long history with the Riding for the Disabled Association.
She first became the charities patron in 1971, later becoming president in 1985. Princess Anne has visited 69 RDA groups from 2010 to 2015.
She has made several visits in 2017 and plays an active role in the charity by attending galas, charity events and visiting local groups to support and encourage riders.