TRELOAR’S has secured a regular slot for students at Broadland’s RDA (Riding for the Disabled) in Medstead.

This will give the students of Treloar’s the opportunity to have hands-on therapy sessions working towards some of them being able to ride the horses.

Since securing the slot, there has been a significant response from students wishing to take part with the aim to have four per week attending.

To launch the partnership, two of Treloar’s patrons, journalist and newscaster at ITV News Alastair Stewart along with para-dressage rider and para-swimmer Suzanna Hext, joined three students for a festive session led by Suzannah Stratford, Jacky Nuth and their team at Broadlands on Wednesday (December 11).

Both Alastair and Suzanna took part in a grooming session with students Jade, Debbie and Dan alongside tinsel-adorned ponies Sam, Ros, Hollie and Mo. The morning activities finished with a ‘pin the decoration on the Christmas tree’, a lead-rein relay race and all of the students were presented with a rosette by Suzanna.

Alastair, who is a patron of both Treloar’s School and College and Broadlands RDA, said: “This morning showed the true magic horses can bring to folk with disabilities.

“With three students from Treloar and three ponies from Broadlands Medstead Riding for the Disabled, and a little help from the experts on both sides, the success could be measured in the beaming smiles.

“To have a Paralympian Suzanna Hext on hand too showed that nothing is impossible.”

Suzanna, who is due to compete in the Paralympics in Tokyo, said “days like today mean the absolute world to me”.