Faurie’s young stable pushing the boundaries

They do not attend school regularly and are in danger of leaving with little hope of qualifications.

But thanks to a project which has the backing of the leading dressage rider, Emile Faurie, these youngsters are developing in all kinds of ways, including gaining self-confidence, taking responsibility and becoming used to discipline.

Tomorrow, Faurie will be in Beverley to visit the Bleach Yard Riding School and see for himself how learning about riding and how to care for horses has helped them.

“They have developed a lot and it’s been a great team building exercise for them,” said Joyce Fearn, who runs the stables.

Groups of six teenagers, from Kingswood School on the Bransholme estate, have been going to the stables for two hours a week for the past 18 months.

As well as riding, they have learned about grooming and mucking out, about feeding and the general welfare of the horses.

The experience has meant that not only have they developed practical skills, they have also gained a sense of achievement about what they have accomplished.

The pilot project was set up by the charity Hull Compact, with funding for the riding lessons provided by the Emile Faurie Foundation and the cost of transport for the youngsters provided by the High Sheriff’s Tribune Trust.

“Apart from the physical aspects, they have developed in many social skills. They are less aggressive and more polite, they appreciate what we have been trying to achieve but most of all, they now know that by pushing their own boundaries, they can achieve,” said Dave Bull, director of Hull Compact.

Faurie is one of this country’s top international dressage riders. He has represented Great Britain at World, European and Olympic level and was a member of the British dressage team which won gold at the recent European Dressage Championships.

He moved to this country from Germany in 1980 and is based in Oxfordshire where he teaches riders up to international Grand Prix level.

He launched the Emile Faurie Foundation in 2006. This is a collaboration between schools, riding centres and fund-raisers with the aim of helping as many disadvantaged children as possible experience the joys and benefits of horsemanship.

He regularly visits the schools and riding centres which are involved with the Foundation, giving demonstrations and providing encouragement and advice for the children.

“His visit tomorrow will be a massive boost for the pupils who for many reasons very rarely get any good or positive attention,” said Dave Bull.

After visiting Kingswood School, Faurie will go to the stables in Beverley to watch the children ride. Later in the afternoon, he will be at Bishop Burton College to give a demonstration.

It was announced yesterday that remaining tickets for the London 2012 Paralympics, including the Equestrian events at Greenwich Park, will go on sale on a first come, first served basis on Friday, December 2.

During the initial public application phase in September 800,000 tickets were allocated to more than 100,000 people.