Our Story: How It All Began
It all started back in 1977, with a small note in the Mid Sussex Times. A local resident asked a simple question:
“Would anyone like to start a Riding for the Disabled group in our area?”
That single message sparked something wonderful. A group of determined women — Jean Musson, Carolyn Steel, Angie Peel Cross, Liz Courtly, and Angela Urridge — decided to take up the challenge. With just £30 and a big dream, the Court Meadow Riding for the Disabled Group was born.
Jean is still with us today — a living link to those early, inspiring days!
Finding Our Hooves
In the beginning, Audrey West of Balcombe Stables kindly opened her doors, lending her ponies and space so pupils from Court Meadow School could experience the joy of riding.
As the group grew, so did our need for space. Over the years, we’ve called several places home — from Ditchling Stud to Albourne Equestrian Centre, and now Tremaines Riding Stables in Horsted Keynes, where we continue to thrive with incredible community support.
Growing Together
At first, we worked exclusively with pupils from Court Meadow School in Cuckfield, which supported children with severe learning disabilities. After the school merged with Newick House to become Woodlands Meed in Burgess Hill, our reach expanded.
Today, we’re proud to work with children from a variety of special and mainstream schools — many of whom are on the autism spectrum or have ADHD. Every session brings new smiles, confidence, and connection between our riders and their horses.
Moments That Made Us Proud
Our riders have achieved amazing things over the years. They’ve competed in the Special Olympics four times — in 1997, 2001, 2005, and 2009 — and even represented Great Britain in the World Games in 2003! Together, they’ve brought home 9 gold, 6 silver, and 2 bronze medals — travelling as far as Portsmouth, Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow, and Leicester to do it.
In 2004, we were deeply honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to celebrate our Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service, one of only 100 awarded nationwide that year. Princess Anne later returned in 2014 to present Jean Musson with the President’s Award for her decades of dedication — an honour since shared by Carol Rycroft (2017) and Sue Coote (2025).
Celebrating Our Journey
We’ve proudly taken part in many village parades, regional dressage events at Hickstead, and South East Challenge Days, collecting more rosettes and trophies than we can count. Our riders have even gone on to represent the South East Region at the National Championships — proof that passion and teamwork can take you anywhere.
In 2017, we marked our 40th anniversary with a special celebration at Albourne Equitation Centre — a joyful reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much love, laughter, and hard work it’s taken to get here.
Still Riding Forward
From that small newspaper note in 1977 to the vibrant community we are today, our story is one of kindness, courage, and connection — between riders, volunteers, horses, and supporters.
And the best part? We’re still growing, still learning, and still riding forward together.