Aberdeen Riding Club officially opened its new venue last month, alongside its landlords, The Trades Widows Fund of The Seven Incorporated Trades.
Run by Sally McCarthy, the Aberdeen Riding Club (ACR) has moved from Oldfolds, Milltimber, to its new purpose-built premises at Nether Anguston, Peterculter.
With the aim of making horse riding accessible to all, ARC now has more than 300 active members that use the riding school as well as 48 livery customers.
Commenting on the new centre, Ms McCarthy said: “ARC wasn’t possible without our fantastic landlords and I can’t thank them enough.
“It’s phenomenal for the area and the equestrian sport in general to have access to the services and facilities we offer and ARC is now a source of advice and support to horse enthusiasts around the region.”
ARC not only provides riding school facilities but also free riding for a number of projects and charities locally including Befriend a Child and the “looked after children” scheme. It has also offered free riding through the Change in Lives through Horses scheme with the British Horse Society (BHS) and it continues to ensure horse riding and involvement with equines is possible for all.
ARC’s landlords purchased 105 acres at Nether Anguston to relocate Aberdeen Riding Club.
The Fund invested £2million in land and buildings and it has built a state-of-the-art facility with accommodation for 50 horses – the largest outdoor arena in the north-east.
The facility was officially opened by the deacon convener of The Seven Incorporated Trades, George Esson, on Saturday, May 20.
The factor of the Fund, Brian Donald, said: “We are delighted to build this modern equestrian estate and trust that many people in the local community and beyond will enjoy it.”