Ebony Horse Club Helps Young People 'Take the Reins' in South London

September 16, 2022 

Founded in 1969, London-based charity Ebony Horse Club is using horseback riding to raise the aspirations, life skills, education and well-being of young people from disadvantaged communities within Lambeth, England. The Club believes in the power of equestrian to improve physical and mental well-being and help build core skills such as confidence, teamwork and resilience. 

Equine therapy has long been shown to have positive impacts on emotional awareness, social and problem-solving skills, trust, empathy and impulse control. During National Racehorse Week, taking place through 18th September, the Club is giving the public of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to get up close with a horse - sometimes for the very first time. Research commissioned by Great British Racing for National Racehorse Week revealed a disconnect with animals and the countryside among the UK’s city dwellers, including that 26% of 12-40 year olds have never seen, or can’t recall seeing, a horse in real life. 

Lambeth is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country, with three out of five people describing their ethnicity as other than white British. It is also one of London’s most impoverished boroughs and has a high crime rate. According to ‘A Children and Young People’s Plan for Lambeth', some of the key challenges facing young people in the area include reduced national funding and social care, poverty and a growing inequality in access to services for certain groups. This is despite opportunities for education and employment available in the borough.

In 2011, the Club established its centre in the heart of South London, Brixton (a district within Lambeth) based on the belief that “opportunities you’re given shouldn’t be limited by the postcode you’re brought up in.” 

The Club aims to benefit its young participants who are growing up in these challenging and underserved environments. Alongside the regular riding centre activities, the Club offers opportunities for young people through youth workers, volunteers and supporters. These range from visits to the Ascot Racecourse or Ham Polo Club and attending workshops to help further develop life skills such as communication, empathy and responsibility. 

Core services include: 

• Member lessons – weekly riding lessons to over 95 regular members from the local community 
• Young volunteering – a structured young volunteer programme for 30 regular members to develop key life skills 
• Trips and outings – regular horse-related and educational trips to help broaden horizons and provide new opportunities 
• The RIDE programme – group riding sessions for local schools and youth groups for around 30 children and teens each week, most of whom have never been near a horse before 
• Youth work – support for young people growing up in challenging circumstances both in a group setting and through one-on-one mentoring 

Among the Club's Patrons is the former HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, and now Queen Consort, who has been its president since 2009. “I’m hugely impressed by its [Ebony Horse Club] work with young people in one of London’s most deprived inner-city areas. Learning to ride takes a lot of courage, patience and determination and it allows children to discover inner strengths they never knew they had and even more importantly, improves their self-confidence,” she said. 

In recognition of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her love of equestrian and horses, Beyond Sport, through our parent company, Benchmark, is pleased to make a donation to the Ebony Horse Club in support of their work.