Blairgowrie Riding for the Disabled was honoured to welcome the charity’s President, HRH Princess Anne, to mark our Golden Jubilee during a recent visit.

The Princess Royal was warmly welcomed to our Easter Rattray Farm base, where she met riders and their families, together with volunteers and invited guests, to celebrate 50 years of providing riding services to those with disabilities in the local community.

The visit was especially poignant as it was originally due to take place on 8 September, but was postponed following the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Princess Royal is renowned for her love of horses and was delighted to meet our ponies, including the latest addition to our herd, Rosa. She enjoyed watching the riders demonstrate their skills before presenting our oldest pony, Erin, with a long-service award.

Her Royal Highness then spent time chatting with guests before unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion – the second time she has visited Blairgowrie RDA.

Rhona Christie, chairperson of Blairgowrie RDA, said: “It was a real pleasure and delight to show the Princess Royal around our facilities and share with her the work that we do to support disabled people in the area.

“As RDA President, Her Royal Highness was extremely interested to hear that we are one of the oldest Riding for the Disabled clubs in the UK and to learn about the incredible support we receive from the local community. Our group may be small, but it is very close knit and we are sure that was reflected during the many conversations the Princess Royal had with our volunteers and guests.”

Rhona added: “We were very appreciative of the fact that Her Royal Highness was able to reschedule our visit at such short notice – it was a wonderful way to mark the conclusion of our Golden Jubilee celebrations.”

Following the visit, Blairgowrie RDA was pleased to receive a letter on behalf of the Princess Royal expressing her thanks:

“Her Royal Highness always enjoys a visit to an RDA group and Blairgowrie didn’t disappoint. You were all so friendly and relaxed and the Princess Royal was thrilled to meet so many of the volunteers, trustees and parents, not forgetting the riders and the all-important ponies.

“It is hard work keeping these groups going, but with the lovely friendly Blairgowrie atmosphere, Her Royal Highness feels sure that it is in good hands.”