Our story

The Perry Riding for the Disabled group has grown from strength to strength since 1995 when it was first established. Initially set up by Jane Barker at her home Perry Cottage near Baschurch. The group ran successfully from there for 24 years. However, we didn’t have an indoor arena to run sessions. So, in bad weather including heavy rain, strong wind, snow and ice, sessions had to be cancelled. This meant that participants couldn’t attend sometimes for several months disrupting routines and progression.

In 2013 the Willey Estates near Much Wenlock were kind enough to offer the group a suitable site at a reasonable rental with a lengthy lease.  These were better terms than the Perry Trustees had been offered anywhere else during the 8 years they had been seeking a new home.

On 9th December 2014 the South Shropshire Planning Committee, following recommendations from Shropshire Council Planning officials, approved plans for the Cavalier Centre with an indoor 70m x 30m arena, an outdoor arena and an all-weather track, providing facilities for disabled people of all ages to take part in therapeutic riding, vaulting, hippotherapy (physiotherapy on horseback) and carriage driving.

In the following five years an incredible amount of support was gained from trust grants, fundraising events, the K12 challenge, individual donations and business sponsors helping us to raise £1.3 million to make the Cavalier Centre dream the reality it is today.