Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: Ebony Horse Club

Every Friday, Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an individual or organization doing good work in the horse world. Today, we’re recognizing UK-based Ebony Horse Club.

The Coldharbour Ward, Brixton neighborhood in London has a history of gang violence, drug-related crime and high rates of unemployment. It’s not the place you’d expect to find a tidy stable, complete with nine stalls, a turnout paddock and a well-lit arema — but it’s the home to Ebony Horse Club, a riding center and mentorship program for the neighborhood’s young people.

Ebony Horse Club serves around 160 inner city youth each week through riding lessons. EHC started first as the brainchild of Ros Spearing, who took children on riding trips out of the Accra Youth and Football Club before breaking away to establish the riding school in 2002.

The positive impact that horses have on the lives of those who work with them is evidenced in Ebony Horse Club: students learn life skills including responsibility, empathy and patience, as well as get the opportunity exercise outdoors and care for an animal. Students have reported better ability to focus in school and better problem-solving skills in life conflicts, and some are going on to secondary education, many within the animal/equine field.

Lessons may be subsidized based on individual family need, and EHC works to develop riding programs with several area schools. Volunteers help keep Ebony Horse Club operating, donating services from riding instruction to stable help to fundraising. ebony Horse Club is aided through donations and fundraising; to learn more about donations, please click here.

To learn more about Ebony Horse Club, please visit the organization’s website and Facebook page.