A RIDING school in Braydon which opened in August has achieved British Horse Society (BHS) approval for its livery yard.

The school, which aims to get disadvantaged and disabled kids on horseback and take the elitism out of riding, won approval within two months of opening.

Since then the business has gone from strength to strength.

John McDonald and Jo Sharpe bought a 50-acre dairy farm in Braydon and spent a year converting it into Rein and Shine.

As well as holding regular horse events and riding school, they hope to attract visitors by offering a family day out, viewing areas and photography competitions.

John said: “The riding school has taken off to the extent we are generally booked up to two weeks in advance, and we are fully inclusive of all skills, backgrounds and abilities as we had originally set out to do.

“We have outdoor lighting going in so we can operate well after school hours, which means adults and kids have a facility they can access up to 8pm most evenings, including weekends.

“We have a British Show Jumping Association coach and a British Eventing coach who teach here and we have employed four other part-time instructors plus six yard hands.”

Rein and Shine’s first dressage competition will take place on November 16, with a horse show on December 15.

Visit www.reinandshine.co.uk.