Broadlands Riding for the Disabled in Medstead is celebrating its 70th anniversary year in 2025.

Its aim for this historic occasion is to raise an extra £30,000 - in addition to the £120,000 needed to cover its normal annual operating costs - to buy, equip and train three new ponies.

The group has ten ponies but two are more than 23 years old, and with the average retirement age for a pony being 25 it needs new ponies trained to Riding for the Disabled Association standards.

Last year Broadlands welcomed lots of new participants, their families and carers to enjoy and benefit from the fabulous environment, plus lots of new supporters and friends to its many social and fundraising events.

There were several talks, all extremely well supported. The Cheerful Charlie talk sold out in record time.

Broadlands held a quiz night, a wine-tasting evening and a trip to Liphook Equine Hospital, and launched its Tea at Three Event, all proving very popular. Its open morning attracted more visitors than ever before.

The year 2025 is going to be even more exciting as Broadlands marks its 70th birthday.

Its story began when Frank and Flora Welch bought Broadlands in 1946 on his discharge from the RAF.

Frank’s aim was to get children of all nations to spend time together and it was run as a guest house, providing guardianship and country holidays for children from overseas or whose parents were abroad. The estate was overgrown, with various wooden chalets as accommodation.

Flora was a keen equestrian and had a great interest, particularly after a polio epidemic in the early 1950s, in the role of riding as a form of rehabilitation.

In 1955 she hosted her first group of riders from Woodlarks in Farnham, a care home and activity centre for people with a range of disabilities. They were the first group to ride regularly at Broadlands.

Flora also set up a riding school which helped to fund the riding for the disabled and the student holidays.

Towards the end of the 1950s a big storm blew the roof off the old wooden stables, and Frank and Flora debated whether it was worth keeping the ponies.

They decided to continue and the present stables were built, with the covered school erected in 1963. The original surface was sawdust and shavings from the stables, but in 1999 a proper surface was put down.

In 1960 Frank and Flora’s daughter Suzanne was working in Bognor Regis as an assistant matron.

On her return she gained the BHSAI equestrian qualification and began teaching disabled and able-bodied children regularly. She received the Torch Award for services to sport and the disabled.

In 1964 Broadlands became an original member of the Advisory Council of Riding for the Disabled, the forerunner of the Riding for the Disabled Association, which was established in 1969.

Also in 1969, Broadlands teamed up with the Florence Treloar School in Holybourne. Students came regularly to ride and it was a huge success.

This relationship has been maintained, with students coming to ride and those who cannot ride visiting the ponies and enjoying wonderful relationships with them.

Broadlands continues to welcome students from local schools to ride and enjoy the calm countryside environment.

When Flora died in 1975 Suzanne took over the running of Broadlands, and is still involved today.

Suzanne encouraged students from Treloar’s and Shepherds Down to compete in local shows. She had a definite can-do attitude which was so important and encouraging to the students.

In 1984 Broadlands welcomed Princess Anne, who rode the Queen’s horse Goodwill in the equestrian three-day event at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

She arrived by helicopter, landing in the Big Field, and those riders participating in her visit did a display. Princess Anne spent time chatting to them and presented each one with a rosette.

The Riding for the Disabled Association then became a Federation of Groups, and each group had to register as a charity in its own right with an independent charity number.

Trustees were appointed, with a more formal constitution, and had to negotiate the demands of the Charities Commission. This set-up remains today.

In 2002 Suzanne stopped taking children for riding holidays and closed the riding centre.

This meant the group had to fundraise to support the ponies for Riding for the Disabled, but thanks to local businesses, generous supporters and grants Broadlands has been able to keep the centre operational.

In 2006 it installed a hydraulic platform to make mounting a pony much easier for riders with physical difficulties.

During Covid the centre had to close for long periods but thanks to the determination and passion of its trustees, staff and supporters it was able to continue.

Broadlands is now one of the longest established Riding for the Disabled groups in the UK.

It is dedicated to supporting the physical and emotional well-being of adults and children with a wide range of disabilities by using the horses and facilities at Broadlands.

Ponies are selected for their calm, caring nature and are exercised and trained for the work they do.

Riding for the Disabled Association-qualified coaches work at a pace to suit each rider, helping them improve their life through working with a pony.

Broadlands’ support now also includes equine therapy and hippo therapy for under-fives. Ponies enjoy building bonds with people, and they help by lowering anxiety, building confidence, improving happiness and creating a purpose to come and see them.

The group has up to 60 weekly participants who come to enjoy being with the ponies, along with 70 regular volunteers. It continues to go from strength to strength.

Its first fundraising event as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations is an online auction of promises which will be launched at the end of January.

There is something for everyone among the amazing lots, including some unique experiences and a week’s holiday in Cornwall.

Anyone can bid for the items. A QR code and link will be available soon on the Broadlands website at https://www.broadlandsgrouprda.org.uk/

The biggest celebration will be on June 20, when Broadlands holds a Platinum Party which it hopes will be the party of the year.

Live music, a magician and a casino will all be part of the fun, and more details of this will also be on the website.

Broadlands’ 2025 events to date are: January 31 - Online auction of promises; February 4 - Horse racing trainers Andrew and Anna Lisa Balding talk; April 25 - Quiz night in Medstead Village Hall; May 6 - Sophie de Rouet talk; June 20 - Platinum Party; July - Broadlands open morning; August 3 - Hosting Winchester City car boot sale; September 11 - Alan Hiscox talk; September 25 - Wine tasting. Everyone is welcome.

Broadlands comes highly recommended by those who use it, with comments including “The amazing facilities at Broadlands mean anyone with disabilities can be included” and “Broadlands is a magical place where the stress of life melts away”.

Anyone who would like to get involved with Broadlands as a supporter or volunteer, or feels they or a family member or friend could benefit from Broadlands’ help, can call 01420 375767 or email [email protected]