Rebecca Robinson loves riding.

The 29-year-old, who has Down’s Syndrome, is among the growing number of people with disabilities who enjoy learning to ride at Throstle Nest Riding School, one of 500 volunteer groups across the country belonging to the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), a charity dedicated to improving the lives of thousands of people through education, therapy and fun.

More and more people are having lessons at the school, in Fagley Lane, which caters for people from complete beginners, to those who want to learn to jump, take part in dressage or go for a hack.

“We are busy all the time, we no longer have quiet times,” says proprietor Jeanette Wheeler, who established the RDA group, which became a charity in 1999.

“We have been full for the past six months and have waiting lists. We get around five enquiries every day. As soon as a space becomes available, it is filled.”

There is an outdoor arena, a jumping paddock and a cross-country course with fences of various heights. And this year – when the RDA at Throstle Nest celebrates its 20th anniversary – the school was honoured to welcome the president of the RDA, Princess Anne, to open a new £100,000 all-weather arena.

“It is fantastic. With the weather being so bad it has really come into its own,” says Jeanette. “We help a lot of people from across the Bradford district as well as Leeds, Halifax and Brighouse.”

Riding helps people with disabilities, both physically and mentally. Says Jeanette: “It benefits their posture, improves the circulation, and helps with mobility. Teachers have commented on how behaviour improves.”

The expansion of the riding school – which itself is 35 years old – could not have been possible without the dedicated army of volunteers who help out.

“We have such a great band of volunteers. Many are parents and relatives of children who come here.”

Sarah Hamilton, chairman of the Throstle Nest RDA group, says: “The group was quite small to start with – a handful of people – and has grown over the years. There are now well over 100 registered with us and around 50 riding every week.”

Sarah got involved when her daughter joined pony club. “I used to lead the riders.”

The indoor arena will, she says, enable sessions to be run throughout harsh winters. “When the ground freezes and gets rutted in the cold, horses can trip, and a lot of riders don’t have good balance. And autistic children who come like their routine.”

Through fundraising, the RDA group raised £45,000 toward the new arena, which includes a disabled toilet block with a kitchen. Asda Foundation, through the store at Owlcotes, Pudsey, was among the sponsors who helped, contributing £19,000 towards the project. It was also part-funded by the British Equestrian Federation and the Yorkshire Hoof Regional Network, as well as CNET.

Fundraising is ongoing. As more riders join, more funds are needed for the heavily-subsidised lessons, and vets’ bills must be covered. “People pay very little per session. The group is open to anyone with physical or learning difficulties so long as their doctor says it is safe for them to do it.

“The main thing is confidence. For wheelchair users it is marvellous, to experience being up higher than everyone else and moving about without particular effort. They are in charge of their own movements.”

The movement of the horse moves the body and helps muscles relax.

Ten-year-old Saffron Farr-Hartley looks forward to her lessons. “At first I was a bit worried and thought I would fall off,” she says, “But now I can do a rising trot and I’m learning how to use the reins so Maddy the horse I ride does as she is told.”

Mum Maxine Farr-Hartley says: “It has done such a lot for her confidence and self-esteem,” says Maxine. “She rides a big horse and he’s in her control. It helps her posture, strengthens her core stability and her legs and helps muscle tone.”

When Princess Anne visited, Saffron was lucky enough to meet her and present her with flowers.

For Rebecca’s mum, Bronwen, the lessons have brought positive changes in their lives.

“It has been great for Rebecca – when we first came here, it was not long before she was able to ride on her own, without anyone walking alongside, and she takes part in gymkhanas and helps in the stables. There is a little horse called JJ who she grooms on her own.

“She has been taught to do so many jobs. It all makes her feel very important and she has a lot more confidence now.”