THE CONQUEST CENTRE, RIDING FOR THE DISABLED - IMPROVING LIVES
Reg. Charity no 1103883. Reg. Company no 5079915.
Member of the Riding for the Disabled Association

Conquest Farm, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6PN
Tel: 01823 433614

[email protected]

www.conquestcentre.org.uk

The Conquest Centre for Disabled Riders provides disabled people of all ages and abilities with the opportunity for regular horse riding - giving a sense of achievement and independence. Around 120 riders attend the Centre each week, many with profound learning difficulties, others have physical disabilities - some since birth or following accident or illness. The Centre is totally self-supporting and, with the exception of the stable staff, everyone else is a volunteer.

When is the Conquest Centre Open?
The Conquest Centre operates six days a week during standard school term time.

Instruction
All riders are supervised by Instructors and assisted by a large number of helpers - up to three for each rider.

How can horse riding help disabled people?
The close contact with the horse brings many riders immense pleasure. Those riders with less mobility receive valuable exercise through the rhythm of the movement of the horse. Gradually the rider can increase flexibility and improve muscle strength.

Can I ride outside?
As well as the purpose-built indoor school, the Centre has a short track circling an orchard giving the opportunity to ride outside when the ground and weather is suitable. Riders can see much more when on horseback, for example, the views across the fields to the Quantock Hills.

Goals and Achievements
The Centre has a grading structure in place that riders can work towards. It includes general riding ability, the points of the horse, handling and stable management. Careful supervision ensure that most riders can record steady progress.

To keep running, the Conquest Centre has to raise around £60,000 each year to cover feed, vets bills, shoeing, maintenance, stable staff wages, insurance - the list goes on!

No profit is made, every penny is ploughed back into the Centre.

...HIRE THE INDOOR SCHOOL
The purpose-built indoor riding school is idea for all types of equitation, dog training, sports practice, small shows and events etc. Why not hire it for your activities? Please contact the Centre if you are interested in hiring the indoor school.

...BECOME A VOLUNTEER
You can help the Centre enormously by becoming a volunteer, even if you can only spare an hour or two a week. Please contact the Yard Manager to discuss.

...DONATIONS TO THE CONQUEST CENTRE
Make a donation, however small, or a regular contribution.

...SPONSOR A HORSE OR PONY - please contact The Centre for details.

...'FRIENDS OF CONQUEST'
Join the Centre's fundraising committee. Or perhaps organise a fundraising event of your own.

Rider Sponsorship...
Some of the riders attending the Conquest Centre are able to achieve competition standard and compete at high levels. One or two are now in the exciting position of looking for Sponsorship to enable them to progress. If you are interested in sponsoring a rider, please contact the Conquest Centre.

Finding Horses...
The Conquest Centre is sometimes looking for horses. The horses used for disabled riders have to have a certain temperament and also a certain type of build and strength - although of course, they can vary enormously in size. The Centre is be happy to discuss the requirements for these very special horses if you are interested in donating a horse.

CONTACT
THE CONQUEST CENTE
[email protected]

THE CONQUEST CENTRE FOR DISABLED RIDERS
Contact us at:
Conquest Farm, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6PN

Telephone 01823 433614
www.conquestcentre.org.uk