Riding school for the disabled makes appeal for equipment after thefts (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Riding school for the disabled makes appeal for equipment after thefts

4:04pm Monday 27th July 2009

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A RIDING school for the disabled has appealed for donations of tack and equipment after thieves stole thousands of pounds worth of equipment during a night-time raid.

The school, at Pottofields Equestrian Centre, near Potto, Stokesley, provides therapy for disabled riders and runs a summer school for able-bodied children, both of which are now under threat due to a lack of equipment.

Owner Claire Robinson said: "It is like a smack in the mouth. I’ve had to ring everyone I know to see if they have anything they can donate, because we’ve lost everything you can think of."

"I had built up my equipment over 25 years and it was old but it was good quality – I’ll never be able to replace it by myself."

The thieves stuck on July 21 and made off with saddles, bridles and head collars, as well as a white Bateman horse trailer with the registration T885 JUG, an estimated £8,000 worth of loss.

"I feel that this is a vindictive attack at the start of the summer holidays," she said.

"It’s sickening because for some of the children who come here riding is their therapy and it makes a massive difference in their lives."

The thefts at Pottofields come just weeks after hundreds of pounds worth of specialist children’s equipment was stolen from a livery yard at Lea Close Farm, in Great Stainton, near Darlington.

Ms Robinson feels that the break-ins are the work of people who have knowledge of the riding school.

"We are quite remote but they seemed to know exactly where to go to find the tack rooms and they came prepared to take a lot of stuff," she said.

Anyone who can make a donation of tack to the school can contact Miss Robinson on 07884276031.

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