A Performance of Cinderella, by Chippenham and Lackham Riding for the Disabled group, was never going to disappoint.”The pantomime came about with an idea to give everyone a little bit of magic,” explains branch organiser Vicki Priestley.

So with a cast including Prince Chippenham of RDA (Christopher Redman) and the Ugly Spice Sisters (Joyce Houston and Alexi Chase) it was obviously going to be a riot from beginning to end.

Best of all was fairy godmother, Pat Putland, who circled the arena in the sidecar of a 1947 Matchless motorcycle, waving her twinkling magic wand to the audience.

“They must have pushed it round - surely they didn’t fire it up,” one onlooker remarked. But the engine purred and not a single pony twitched a muscle, keeping their precious riders safe and sound.

The action began with Prince Chip and his valet, Dale, discussing the forthcoming ball while the Ugly Sisters discuss their social life. Buttons and The Spirit of Nijinski deliver invitations, while scene three belongs to the Fairy Godmother. The remaining scenes featured the ball, trying the shoe and the “happy ever after” sequence.

Star performers included Nicky Morris, Tracey Plank, Pat Putland, Mary Gray and Christopher Rudman all ride on a Wednesday with Gill Mason as their instructor.

Other members of the cast came from Rowdeford School, Uplands Special School and the Middlefield Adult Education Centre.

No RDA group could function without a fantastic band of volunteers who give freely of their time and energy. To join them you need a sense of humour, a sturdy pair of shoes and a willingness to learn. Contact the Chippenham and Lackham RDA chairman Cathy Kavanagh, on 01380 723606 if you would like to help.

Meanwhile, the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy, at Bransgore on the edge of the New Forest, held its annual Fortune of Christmas carol service and tableau.

The centre is known as “a special place for special people” and horses are at the core of all learning for the group of 16-25 year olds who undertake the Further Education Through Horsemastership courses each year.

The Fortune of Christmas is a fitting conclusion to the year, as well as an end of term tradition when families join the students to celebrate Christmas together. The centre provides all the props needed, with donkeys and goats available to replicate Bethlehem stable scene.

TAG: disability, disability therapy, disabled, special people, therapy