Our purpose built, self-funding riding centre was opened in 1989 at Shelley near Hadleigh (MAP), in the Brett Valley eight miles from Ipswich in Suffolk. Although an independent Charity ( Charity number 1113636) and a Company Limited by Guarantee ( Company number 5668971), The Shelley Centre is affiliated to The Riding for the Disabled Association Registered Charity no. 244108.  Our aim is to provide riding or carriage driving to benefit the health and wellbeing of adults and children with disabilities. The organisation is run by volunteers including eleven Instructors and three a/b Whips. Our employed Stable Manager/ Instructor is responsible for the care and wellbeing of the horses and ponies. The Centre operates five days a week during term times. Throughout the year we help around one hundred and forty five individual riders and drivers. Their ages range between four and fifty+ with many varying degrees of physical difficulties, learning and behavioural difficulties. All the riders are referred by their General Practitioner, Community Physiotherapist or School Doctor.  Disabilities include those suffering from cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism, polio, arthritis, skeletal deformities, downs syndrome, multiple sclerosis, cancer, accident victims and those with learning difficulties or behavioural problems. Riding is remedial and therapeutic, as well as being recreational.  It not only teaches new skills – for some a life skill.  It requires active involvement and thus improves balance and coordination. Transmission of the horse’s movement to the rider emulates the walking movement of the human pelvis.  Three minutes of riding produces over a  thousand random movements in the disabled rider. Sensory, social and communication skills are also developed. Independence and decision making are encouraged; frequently self discipline and self image are improved and confidence enhanced. The sense of belonging and achievement derived from contact with the horses and the Group is therapeutic as well as fun.  This is an all important aspect for those involved whether riders, parents or volunteer helpers.