A HAMPSHIRE riding school has been crowned Large Riding School of the Year by a specialist insurance company.

Pinkmead Farm Equestrian Centre, in Curbridge, was announced as this SEIB's winner for this year, with an award presented at Eton College to co-owner and instructor Harriet King and general manager Mandi Rowe.

The awards, in association with Horse and Hound and British Equestrian, were set up to celebrate excellence in British yards, and support those that deserve recognition for their industry services. Centres were nominated by clients and the public before being judged by a panel.

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Pinkmead manager Mandi said: “We would like to thank all our exceptional team of staff, lovely clients including everyone who nominated us, and of course, our fantastic team of horses, who we couldn’t have won the award without”.

The accolade came at an exciting time for the centre in Botley Road, which has recently introduced an alternative education provision supported by the British Horse Society. 

The scheme, Changing Lives Through Horses, is aimed at five to 25 year olds who have become, or are at risk of becoming, disengaged or excluded from education or training, or those with additional needs that need more support to maintain their school placement.

For more information go to pinkmead.co.uk/.