Welcome to Digswell Place

Digswell Place is a purpose-built, voluntarily run riding stable for adults and children with most kinds of disability (we do not have a hoist so are unable to offer riding to all disabilities). The aim of the Riding for the Disabled Association is “to give the opportunity of riding to any disabled person who might benefit in their health and well-being.”

The Digswell Place Group was founded in 1972. At present, about 140 people are enrolled to ride with the group and about 80 ride each week. The majority have learning difficulties, from mild to severe. Most come in groups from their school or day centre, but individuals can also be catered for.

Instruction is provided by a team of thirteen accredited voluntary instructors. Help with children and adults on all riding sessions is urgently sought – a knowledge of horses is not necessary although it would be an advantage but own transport is essential.

History

The Digswell Place Group RDA was founded in 1972 by Pam Clark who was a teacher at Lakeside School, Welwyn Garden City for children with learning difficulties. She wanted to organise riding sessions for the children at Lakeside and RDA headquarters suggested that she should form her own group. Pam formed the original committee to run the group and initially riding was organised by borrowing privately owned ponies who were taken up to the school and also by hiring facilities and ponies from several different commercial riding schools. It is very largely due to her determination that the Group now has most of the present facilities which were set up in the early 1980’s.

Stables and Ponies

The Group operates from a purpose built centre at Digswell Place Stables with approximately 17 acres of grazing. We have 14 horses and ponies and the yard is run by the Stable Manager with the help of pony minders who each have particular responsibility for one pony in return for being able to ride out at weekends and during the school holidays. They also contribute towards the up keep of the ponies.

Contact us to find out more about our riding school.