Princess’s visit cheers disabled riders hit by theft

Disabled horse riders were left “heartbroken” six months ago when burglars stole equipment worth £20,000.

But members of the Leeds Area Group’s Riding For The Disabled Association were given a royal boost when The Princess Royal spent the afternoon with them yesterday.

Princess Anne, who is the president of the Riding for the Disabled Association, handed out rosettes and certificates to riders at the charity’s base at Gateon Hill Farm, in East Keswick.

The visit was masterminded by club chairman Wenda Fletcher who said that the Princess helped to give the club, which has 30 members, a boost.

She said: “We don’t need a reward for what we do but it’s lovely to have recognition.”