Princess Anne pops in at riding school for disabled

A Constantia riding school for those with disabilities had a royal visitor last week.

Princess Anne visited the South African Riding for the Disabled (Sarda) grounds, on Tuesday January 21, to witness the training and therapeutic horse-riding classes for persons living with disabilities from over 15 special needs schools.

The Princess Royal is known for her love of horses and is involved with riding-for-the-disabled organisations across the Commonwealth.

For more than 50 years, Sarda has served thousands of children and their families who experience many challenges, including severe physical and mental conditions.

Princess Anne was met by Premier Alan Winde, who introduced her to Steven Lukey, Sarda’s brand ambassador. He escorted her to meet with Sarda’s founder, chairperson and management before she toured the stables and watched children from the special needs schools across the province showing off their riding and motor skills.

“I was deeply touched by her calm and friendly manner, which made everyone feel so much at ease as if she were a close friend. It was a great privilege,” Mr Lukey said.

Princess Anne last visited South Africa in 2012 to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Her visit last week was as president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to unveil the Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial, which honours the contribution of South African military labourers of World War I.