CROWDS braved the showers to raise hundreds of pounds for a disabled horse riding association at a charity open day.

The newly-refurbished Luccombe Riding Centre and livery yard, in Milton Abbas, marked its reopening with a fundraising day for the Milton Abbas Riding for Disabled Association (RDA).

The association has been based at the riding centre for the past 20 years but was forced to relocate when the centre shut down last December.

Now under new ownership, the centre proved its value to the community by hosting a family fun day which raised an impressive £755 for the RDA.

Centre owner Terri Cook said: “The RDA have based its sessions here for years, but obviously when it shut down in December they had to find somewhere else to go.

“We wanted to have an official opening for the public. We thought we would raise funds for the RDA at the same time since they’re a local charity with a strong connection to us.”

Visitors were treated to riding displays by some of the children from the RDA including a youngster who didn’t let his paralysis from the waist down prevent him from riding a pony for his audience.

Guests also tucked into to a fish and chips dinner followed by plenty of cake and a game of ‘guess the weight’ of Bailey the pony.

Terri said: “I was really, really pleased with the turnout, it was absolutely heaving all day, I was so shocked. In between the showers the whole yard was packed all afternoon.”

The Milton Abbas RDA uses horses and ponies to provide therapy, achievement and enjoyment to people of all ages with disabilities Sue Hodder of the RDA said: “We are extremely grateful for this donation which will enable us to continue offering therapeutic riding to young people with physical and learning difficulties.”

Luccombe Riding Centre offers lessons to riders of all ages and abilities. It is also home to an Equine Assisted Learning Centre which helps adults and children with behavioural difficulties or developmental disorders experience positive changes in their lives through contact with horses.