Riding A Dream Academy Gains Funding From Racing Foundation

The Riding A Dream Academy has been awarded three years' funding by the Racing Foundation to expand its programmes. The year-long Khadijah Mellah Scholarship for talented riders and a rider-based Residential Week which acts as an introduction to British horse racing is already operating under the Riding A Dream Academy umbrella. Plans for the expansion include a non-rider Residential Week to cater for the large numbers of young people who have applied, but lacked access to horses and sufficient riding experience, and Regional Weeks to take the Academy out to local communities. The programmes will be conducted by the British Racing School.

Rob Hezel, Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation said, “The Racing Foundation would like to congratulate Naomi Lawson and Oli Bell, two individuals with a genuine desire to drive change in the racing industry, on launching the next stage of the Riding a Dream Academy. We are delighted to fund the Academy as it builds on the success of its pilot year and delivers tangible, life-enhancing opportunities for young people passionate about racing.”