The Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre, based at Hemlington near Middlesbrough is holding an Open Day for everyone this Saturday 16 May 2015.

Everyone is invited to come along to the Centre from 10.00am until 3pm to have a look around the centre, share in its celebrations of a recent award, meet the horses and watch RDA riders take part in the qualifying rounds for the RDA National Countryside Challenge. 

The national finals will take place in July in Hartpury, Gloucestershire, and the Centre is hopeful that many of its riders will qualify, along with other riders from the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Region.

The Open Day, with free entry, is open to anyone interested in finding out more about the services provided by the Centre, which include riding and therapy for children and adults with learning and physical disabilities, Diploma courses in Horse Care, volunteering opportunities and its award winning Supported Volunteer Scheme. Trustees, staff and volunteers will be on hand to show people around the state-of-the-art facilities and meet the horses and competitors.

Visitors will also be able to see the amazing Countryside Challenge course created by the External Relations Department of Teesside University, displays of past achievements in the conference room, and refreshments will also be available.

Centre Manager Claire Pitt said, “We’ve just been awarded the Matrix standard of service delivery to learners, riders and volunteers and we’re so proud of this achievement after all the hard work that was put in. We want to invite people to find out more about the great work we do here, join in the buzz of the competition going on all day and share our celebration of this fantastic result.”

She went on, “If just one person goes away wanting to become more involved with the Unicorn Centre, or tells others about us, it will have been worth it.”

For further information, contact Claire Pitt on 01642 576222. The Centre is based at Stainton Way, Hemlington, TS8 9LX.

Issued 11.05.15